Name: Kai Sakakibara

Date: 30 September 2012

Venue: Southlake, NSW

Race: BMXNSW State Championships 2012

Class: 16 boys

Result: 2nd

Weather: Sunny, but very windy

Course condition: Very good. Well prepared.

Redline, Blackman Bicycles, Time, Champion System, Michram Industries, Peabody

 

The NSW State Titles were held at Southlake BMX track this year, which was my home track. The track was perfectly maintained and in great condition, but very strong, gusty winds lead the first day of racing (cruisers, elites and sprockets), to be postponed to day 2. The wind on the second day wasn’t as bad as the first day but was still very windy at the start of the day. It took me a couple of laps to get used to it and riding on the track in these conditions.

 

I came out with a good start in my first moto out of lane 7, but couldn’t quite come across enough to shoot Jordan Lecher down, who came out of lane 1. I was in 2nd around the first corner. I could feel the wind down the second straight, but jumped through it anyway, which gave me good speed for the third straight’s rhythm section. I caught up lots to Jordan here, but didn’t get the pass on the last straight. I finished 2nd.

 

My second moto went pretty well. I came out of the gate a bit sideways, but got the lead down the first straight into the first corner. The wind caught me down the second straight when I jumped the triple, but I hung on, and brought it around the second corner. I had a fair lead by then, so took it nice and simply through the last 2 straights. I finished 1st.

 

I had a good start out of lane 1 in my last moto, but Jordan Lecher got me into the first corner and shut me down. I had to slow down so that I didn’t crash into him, and this gave him time to put a gap on me. My second straight was a bit ordinary, but I had a good run down the third straight again and caught up to Jordan. Wasn’t enough to get the pass though. I finished 2nd.

 

My moto points gave me 1st pick for the semi-final. I got lane 1.

I came out with a good start, and had a clear run down the first straight and lead into the first corner. I nailed the second straight, and was carrying good speed down the third straight as well. I stayed in front all the way and came through with a 1st.

 

I had 2nd pick for the final and got lane1. I had a good start and came out strong, but Jordan Lecher just got me from the outside into the first corner. I got the pedals around the first corner and went for the second straight, but tagged the second double and could not jump the triple. This let Jordan extend the gap on me, and Alex Cahill was catching me from behind. I really pushed for the last 2 straights, but just couldn’t catch Jordan this weekend. I finished 2nd.

 

The result wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but I was pretty happy with how I rode throughout the day, and for the fact that I got the 8th fastest time out of everyone that day (including elite riders).