Had a boring week leading into phoenix cut my knee open on my foot peg hanging out at the shop had to get some stitches.

Kept me off the bike all week.

My race day started out very slow… literally 🙈 Finally the last moto I got going and rode much better.

Happy to be back east this week

Let’s go …. see more

From the Shop to the Starting Gate: A Tough Week in Racing

Racing at the highest level isn’t just about speed and skill—it’s about resilience. Sometimes, the toughest battles happen before the gate even drops. This past week was one of those challenges, a rollercoaster of injury, frustration, and ultimately, redemption.

Heading into Phoenix, the week was anything but ideal. A simple day at the shop turned into a painful and unexpected setback when an accident with my foot peg left me with a nasty cut on my knee. At first, I didn’t think much of it. But after seeing how deep it was, I quickly realized that I needed stitches—and just like that, my plans for training that week were derailed.

Sitting on the sidelines, unable to put in the laps I needed, was frustrating. Every racer knows how important it is to keep momentum going, both physically and mentally. Missing time on the bike is never ideal, especially leading up to a big race. Instead of focusing on speed and technique, I was stuck resting, healing, and hoping I’d be ready by the weekend.

Race Day: A Slow Start

When race day finally arrived, I was eager to get back on the bike but knew I was behind where I wanted to be. The lack of seat time showed right away. My first motos were sluggish—something just felt off. I struggled to find my flow, and the speed I normally had just wasn’t there.

Every racer has days like this. Sometimes you line up at the gate, ready to dominate, and everything clicks. Other times, no matter how hard you try, it feels like you’re fighting the bike, the track, and yourself.

The frustration started to creep in. I knew I was capable of more, but my body and mind weren’t quite in sync. The week off had taken its toll, and I was stuck playing catch-up. But racing isn’t just about speed—it’s about adaptation. And in moments like these, mental toughness makes all the difference.

Finding My Rhythm: A Strong Finish

Finally, in the last moto of the day, things started to turn around. Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was sheer determination, but I finally found my flow. My riding started to feel natural again, my speed improved, and I was able to put in the kind of performance I knew I had in me.

It wasn’t a perfect day by any means, but finishing strong was a huge confidence boost. After a frustrating start, being able to turn it around in that last moto was exactly what I needed. It reminded me why I love this sport so much—because no matter how tough things get, there’s always another gate drop, another chance to prove yourself.

Looking Ahead: Back East and Ready to Reset

With Phoenix in the rearview, I’m looking forward to heading back east. A change of scenery, some solid training, and getting back into my routine will be exactly what I need to get back to full strength.

Every setback is an opportunity to come back stronger, and that’s exactly what I plan to do. The season is long, and one tough week doesn’t define the journey. If anything, it adds fuel to the fire.

So, here’s to a better week, more time on the bike, and making sure the next race starts much stron

ger than the last. Let’s go!

Racing is unpredictable. Not just on the track but in everyday life. As racers, we train, we prepare, we anticipate the battles ahead—but sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments that test us the most.

Heading into Phoenix, my week took an unfortunate turn before I even got to the gate. What started as a normal day at the shop quickly turned into a painful setback when I cut my knee open on my foot peg. At first, I brushed it off, thinking it was just a scratch. But when I took a closer look, I realized this was more than a little scrape—it was deep, and it needed stitches.

The worst part? It meant no riding all week. No training, no practice, just forced downtime to let my knee heal. For any racer, this is a nightmare. Seat time is everything. The rhythm, the feel, the confidence you build throughout the week all translate into performance on race day. Without it, you’re already a step behind before you even roll onto the track.

As the days passed, I felt restless. Watching others ride while I sat on the sidelines wasn’t easy. I knew that every lap I missed would make the weekend tougher, but I had no choice. Healing had to come first.

Race Day: A Slow Start and a Mental Battle

Finally, race day arrived. Despite the setback, I was eager to get back on the bike and shake off the rust. But as soon as I hit the track, it was obvious that something was missing. The flow wasn’t there. My timing felt off. The intensity I usually bring to race day just wasn’t clicking.

The first motos were rough. I wasn’t where I wanted to be, and I could feel the frustration creeping in. There’s nothing worse than knowing what you’re capable of but not being able to execute. Every racer has these moments—when the body and mind just aren’t in sync, when the track feels like it’s fighting you, when nothing is coming easy.

Doubt tries to sneak in. You start overthinking. You wonder if missing that week made a bigger difference than you thought. But the thing about racing is that it’s not just about who’s the fastest—it’s about who can adapt, who can push through, who can shake off a bad moto and come back stronger.

I knew I had to reset. The last moto was my chance to turn things around.

Finding Speed, Finding Confidence

Lining up for the final moto of the day, I made the decision to put everything behind me. The slow start, the missed training, the frustration—it didn’t matter. All that mattered was this gate drop, this race, this moment.

And finally, something clicked.

The intensity was there. The flow was coming back. My speed improved, my corners were sharper, and I started feeling like myself again. It wasn’t a perfect ride, but it was the ride I needed. After struggling all day, I finally put together a performance I could be proud of.

That’s what makes racing special. It doesn’t matter how your day starts—it’s about how you finish. And finishing strong after a tough week? That’s a victory in itself.

Lessons Learned: The Importance of Mental Toughness

Racing isn’t just about speed and skill. It’s about resilience. It’s about how you handle adversity, how you respond when things don’t go your way. Some weeks are smooth sailing, others throw obstacles in your path. But the ones who make it to the top are the ones who keep pushing, no matter what.

This week tested me, but it also reminded me of an important lesson: setbacks don’t define you—how you respond to them does. One bad moto, one rough day, one tough week doesn’t mean anything in the big picture. It’s about how you bounce back.

Moving Forward: Back East and Ready to Rebuild

With Phoenix behind me, I’m looking forward to heading back east. A change of scenery, some solid training, and getting back into my normal routine will be exactly what I need. My focus now is simple—put in the work, regain my flow, and come back stronger.

There’s a long season ahead, and one tough week isn’t going to hold me back. If anything, it’s motivation. Every racer faces adversity. The best ones use it to fuel their next performance. That’s exactly what I plan to do.