Taking on the KTM RC Cup World Final

To say I was excited was an understatement. I knew this trip would be amazing, but I had no idea it would be this incredible. From beginning to end it is an experience I will never forget. So I’ll do by best to give you the full experience from my eyes starting from day 1.

Tuesday

The first day started out pretty normal, woke up went to class and came home. Only instead of going to work or training I set sail towards Great Britain. Around 4p.m. I boarded my plane in Gainesville, FL and flew to Atlanta. From there I met my connecting flight which would travel overnight to the London-Heathrow airport. Thankfully everything went smooth, besides a bit of a delay and I was able to catch some sleep on the flight to try and combat the Jet lag that accompanies a 5 hour time difference.

Wednesday

Waking up on a plane is the best thing ever. By far the best sleep I’ve gotten in my life. Okay maybe not, actually it was really uncomfortable. But nonetheless I was excited to be landing in London soon. As we descended I could see the English country side. Even from the sky I could tell it was a lot different than the U.S. I landed around 9:30a.m. and waited through the airport purgatory of customs. After getting the passport stamps, I exchanged some currency and met up with the KTM USA road racing crew chief, Uli Toporsch. After gathering our bags, I had to track down the suspension that I had brought along. It had been confiscated because it was shipped in a gun case and they wanted to make sure I wasn’t carrying a rifle.

Leaving the airport, we made it to the rental car place and waited for my crew chief, Logan Hahnke and the KTM crew, Jen Kenyon and Chris Fillmore. After waiting for them for a few hours we decided to try and find the hotel. Apparently there is a multitude of Holiday Inns near London-Heathrow because it took us a couple hours and two stops at the wrong hotels. Finally, tired and hungry, we arrived at the correct hotel around 3:00. I was one of the only riders at the hotel so we went took the underground train to downtown with the KTM crew. It was amazing seeing all the old buildings I had only read about. London is a bit different than any other big cities I had seen in the U.S. We decided on eating at an authentic Italian restaurant. By far the best Italian food I’ve had in my life. After walking around for a little longer, it was getting late so we made the trip back to the hotel for tomorrow’s busy day.

Nothing like sleeping for 9 hours to fight jet lag. After sleeping in for the first time in a while, we finally met up with the rest of the riders, Braedon Ortt, Justin McWilliams, Gage McAllister, and Anthony Mazziotto. We gathered in the lobby downstairs, got some awesome KTM apparel and loaded up in the rental cars. The next stop was Northampton, an hour and a half drive from London. Props to Chris for safely getting us there. Driving on the opposite side looks pretty tricky, I would have wrecked the car by this point. Arriving at our hotel close to the track about noon, we decided to grab some food before going to the track for set up day. Only a few minutes walk away was a nice little market with some choices for food. It was great checking out the local atmosphere of somewhere totally different.

But finally it was time to get to the track. Our excitement couldn’t be contained as we pulled in through the gate. Silverstone was all I had expected and more. The track looked incredible and I was too anxious to get on track. That would have to wait for tomorrow as we had some work to do still. Waiting for us was the KTM RC390s that we would be riding that weekend. Each rider picked their bike and got to work. We had to switch front forks and the rear spring to get it to my usual set up. It took us a while but it went smoothly. Logan did a great job getting it all together and cleaned up. Jen from KTM gave the USA team our graphics and we got the bike finished up. The bikes looked great and once they were dialed in for the next day’s practice it was time for a track walk. Silverstone is an awesome track but walking it is not the most comfortable thing. It’s 3.6 miles long, so the track walk took what seemed like forever. By the time we were finished up it was almost dark, so we loaded back up and hit the hotel for a nights rest.

Friday

If you have ever slept on a giant brick then you know my pain. I ended up getting about 3 hours of sleep. Just what the doctor ordered for one of the biggest weekends of your career. I woke up way too many times and just couldn’t sleep. About 4 a.m. I gave up on trying to sleep and decided to at least be useful if I was up. I went down to the lobby and studied the track, watching past videos of races and looking at the track map. Once everyone else woke up, I had my first experience of a British breakfast. Still not sure why baked beans is usually on the breakfast menu here. My idea of breakfast is not by starting the day off with a can of Bush’s. I tried to make it as American of a meal as possible anyways.

For running on 3 hours of sleep I didn’t feel so bad by the time we got to the track. The last finishing touches were made on the bike and soon enough it was time for our riders meeting. Not going to lie. I did doze off a couple of times during the meeting.

Free Practice 1

Everyone was given the green light and at once 33 RC390s stormed out of pit lane. My main focus for the first session was to learn the track and feel out the Metzeler tires. The track was so wide and fast that it felt hard to get up to speed. Since everyone was in a pack, you could tell who had been to Silverstone before and who else was a little lost like the American riders. The track wasn’t so hard to learn, it was finding brake markers for all the sweeping turns and trying new lines that was tricky. I didn’t feel too great on the bike and ended the session in 10th. We were about a second and a half off the pace at the front and I knew that pace would just continue to drop. We had some work to do as far as set up to get the bike handling better. The biggest issue was due to tire pressures. We ran the recommended tire pressures and it made the bike feel like a tank. After talking it over with Lenny Albin from K-tech and calling Jim Cambora with Raceworx we made a couple changes to the set up and decided to try a different tire pressure.

It wasn’t a great session for the USA team, but no one worried as it was just the first session. Thankfully we had Colin Edwards there, who knew the track really well. We sat down with Colin and talked throught the track with him. I felt confident we would be better prepared to take on the track for the practice session later. We didn’t have much longer to wait to get on track and around 5 p.m. we set out for practice 2.

Free practice 2 was another session where I wasn’t too worried about setting the fastest lap. The goal was to feel out the changes we had made and find the tire pressure we liked the most. I went out and ran among the front pack that set out from the first lap. The bike felt great and I was way more comfortable this session. We only had a 25 minute session and when lap times take well over 2:30 you don’t get many laps. After 4 laps I came into pit lane to check tire pressures. With about 10 minutes left in the session I sat in 7th position. I set off back out by myself to try and lay down a better time. I wasted my out lap to wait up for the big pack and jumped in line with two of the British riders to get a draft and hopefully lower my time. I felt like we were going pretty quick but I didn’t improve my time and ended the session in 17th. The best American result in practice was 10th. The whole team knew we could do better and were determined to qualify better in the morning. It definitely wasn’t where we wanted to be but we did reach our goal of getting comfortable on the bike. Though my best lap wasn’t great, my ideal lap (your fastest sectors put together) was pretty quick. I knew I had a bit faster pace if I could just put a complete lap together. Tomorrow in qualifying I would have that to focus on. With riding over for the day we changed some more settings and packed up. We hit the hotel and hung out with the rest of the team for a while, relaxing after a long day and preparing for an important one to come.

Qualifying

After the long day Friday, I was able to sleep pretty well, giving me enough rest to be set for the qualifying and race. I was pretty confident that we could get ourselves a solid grid position if I could just put together a complete lap. We arrived at the track and had a little time before we set out on the track for our only qualifying session. In British Superbike they have a practice start procedure to begin qualifying. The grid would be determined by yesterdays qualifying so starting back in 17th wasn’t ideal. Once the session started I grouped up with teammate Braedon Ortt and Sean Dylan Kelly, the rider representing Mexico. We had what felt like a pretty good pace the entire session. After helping each other out, I had hoped we would all be at the top of the time sheet. Not quite. I sat back in 14th once the flag flew. Far from where I had hoped, I would have my work cut out for me in the race. The good news was that fellow American, Anthony Mazziotto, qualified on the front row in 2nd. We had a bit of time between qualifying and the race. This gave me time to study the lap times and sectors which would help me find where I needed to focus on.

I felt different about this race weekend. I just wasn’t feeling so nervous like usual. Maybe because I was starting back in 14th and wasn’t sure how the race would go. I felt like I could run faster times to be up front but didn’t know if the front would drop times as well. I wasn’t worried about it so I just focused on riding my own race and doing the best I could. After the sighting lap we had a short amount of time on the grid. I didn’t mind this because I tend to think too much when we have a long period of time before a race. Finally it was time for what I had been working for the entire year.

Shifting into gear, I was ready to set out for the warm up lap. I got ready for that final practice start and the next thing I knew I was stalled in the middle of the grid. I tried starting it back up after all the riders had passed and every time I clicked into gear the bike would stall. The clutch wasn’t engaging so I couldn’t get going at all. The marshals pulled me off into pit lane where I would have to start the race. The only way I could get going was to have someone push me before I shifted into gear. I rode toward the end of pit lane thinking my race, and chance at the overall title, was gone. Once I got to the end I put it in neutral and waited for the other competitors to grid up. Next thing I knew, my crew chief, Logan and the KTM crew chief, Uli, had ran up to give me a push before the start so I could get going. Out went the lights and I sat, watching the other 32 riders blast through turn 1. Once they exited the turn the marshal gave me the all clear to go and I took off out of pit lane. I was hoping I could catch up to the back of the group and finish in the top 20 at least. Starting with such a big deficit, I would have a lot of work to do.

I started catching riders at the back of the field by turn 6. I then picked off 5 more riders that first lap and tried to draft the other riders I was closing in on to work my way through. The second lap I passed another 7 racers and crossed the line in 20th. I could see the main group up front just a little ways ahead. I knew if I could catch the tail end of that group I may be able to work my way to the front if they didn’t separate too much. On lap 3 I had closed the gap and caught the back end of the group and started making passes. I was honestly surprised I had caught everyone this quick. I had a bit of a moment in turn 13 when I tangled up with a German rider and went really wide, losing a few positions I had just gained. I managed to get those spots back in the next long straight away. I was really strong on the brakes and managed to pass another handful of riders. The next lap I crossed around 14th. I could see the lead pack just ahead and caught their draft going into turn 2 where there was the ‘S’ section. They had grouped up going in which slowed them down a little. This also was one of my strongest points on the track and I managed to pass 5 more riders in that set of a few turns. I used the draft to my advantage the next straight and gained a few more positions. By the end of lap 4 I had worked my way into the top 5 and couldn’t believe it. I was right with the leaders and managed to make some more passes and broke deep on the brakes into turn 8 to take the lead. For the next few laps I battled back and forth with the leaders before coming around to the front straight beginning lap 7. Going into turn one two riders had drafted up beside me going into turn 1. Neither wanted to give up room which sandwiched me in between them, making contact with both riders, sending one to the ground. Myself and the other rider involved shot off the track into the gravel trap before we could touch our brakes. Silverstone has lot of run off, but when you are traveling over 100 mph it runs out pretty quick. I was headed straight for the Airfence and decided to ride straight into it rather than laying the bike over. I went over the bars and into the Airfence. Though it was just a minor get off and the bike was perfectly fine, they don’t let you continue on.

My race was over and my effort to win from pit lane was over. Though I had crashed out I was in disbelief that I had managed to pass 32 riders and get to the lead within a few laps. It was the ride of my life and I knew tomorrow would be my chance. Once I got back to the pit lane I watched the last lap and saw my teammate and friend, Braedon Ortt, cross the line in 3rd. I was so happy to see a MotoAmerica rider on the podium. As for me, I was healthy and the bike was fine so no work would be needed to fix it up, besides replacing the clutch. I have to thank Logan and Uli for staying late to fix my bike and make sure it was up to par for the next day. They are amazing and I couldn’t have done it without them. I would make sure to give my best effort for them tomorrow. After all the press duties were done we were set for tomorrows final race. The good thing that came out of the race is I would start in Pole position for race 2. In BSB the grid for race two is determined by fastest times in race 1. Though it was a weird rule, it benefited me greatly. Tomorrow would be the perfect chance for redemption.

Race 2 was pretty early and due to the many classes racing in British Superbike, we didn’t get a warm up session. We would have to jump straight into the race, thankfully starting up front would help. I made sure to stretch out before the race as I was a little sore from the crash yesterday. Again I stayed more calm than usual before the race. I think that played a big part in my performance this weekend. Hopefully that becomes a normal thing. Because of the time difference the race would be really early in the U.S. so I have to thank all the fans that woke up extra early to watch the race.

We set off for the sighting lap. I was more ready than ever to finish on the podium. I know knew I had the pace and was confident I could run at the front and go for a win. For the first time in my professional career I lined up on Pole. It was almost weird being the guy at the front with a target on my back. I stayed calm and said a few final words to Logan, Lenny, and Uli and put my head down for the start of the race.

I didn’t get a great start and entered turn 1 in 4th. I managed to escape the mass chaos that is the first turn unscathed and settled in. It only took 7 turns for the first incident to take place. American teammate, Anthony Mazziotto had passed into second only to be taken out by another rider who came into the turn way too fast. Myself and a few other riders had to slow down and run wide to avoid the sliding bikes and riders. I jumped back in line and found myself back to 16th. Right when I thought I had an advantage of starting up front I get knocked back. I knew the task of catching up wasn’t impossible as I had to do the same the day before. I kept working my way up and made many passes to get back into the lead. for the final few laps myself and many other riders had swapped spots at the front. Finally coming into the last lap I was in second. Coming onto the first long straight I was second still, only to be drafted by three more people, setting me back to 5th. I made a couple passes in the next few turns and found myself in 3rd. I decided to stay in this spot instead of trying to make my way up to the lead because of the final long straight coming up. I made sure to get a good drive and stay in the draft of the front two. They both cut in to the inside and as we got closer to the penultimate turn I decided to pull out of the draft. I had been strong on the brakes into this turn all weekend. I saw they had gone into it on the inside which isn’t the best line as the turn late apexes. I took my normal line and went in deeper than I had before and managed to get around one on the outside. I pulled alongside Braedon Ortt going into the last turn but I would have the inside advantage so I made the pass stick. After a full weekend on the same set of tires I could feel them protest as I got on the gas as early as they would allow. I drove out of the final corner in the lead and hoped it would stick. It did briefly but I then was drafted by two riders and crossed the line in 3rd, 0.120 seconds behind the winner. Though I was bummed to not win, I was ecstatic to reach the podium in an international race against some seriously talented kids. I was happy for Braedon, who managed to take 2nd in the race and only 0.008 seconds away from a win. Braedon and I made sure to do a celebratory burnout on the cool down lap to celebrate the accomplishment. Big props to Lenny Albin and Jim Cambora for their help and advice throughout the weekend. The bike was set up great.

The podium celebration was amazing, by far the highlight of my racing career so far. We had all worked so hard and after the race 1 disappointment, this felt incredible. I am so grateful to KTM USA for the opportunity to do this. After all the celebrations and press duties, I could finally relax, look back on the weekend and enjoy the other races. This was such a cool experience and more fun than I had ever imagined.

After packing up and finishing everything we set off back towards London. Before we made it back we took a detour to check out Oxford and spend the evening checking it all out. It was a lot of fun hanging out beyond the track or hotel with the other riders and KTM USA members that helped us out all weekend. This trip was definitely one of the best weeks of my life. I can’t thank everyone enough that made it possible. Going back to normal life will be quite bland compared to this.

Also must thank my sponsors for all their support throughout the year:
Moto-Skiveez Arai helmets Racer Gloves USA Motorex Sportbike Track Gear Raceworx K-tech suspension Axo Spykes KTM Rockwell Watches Matrix Concepts Spy optic Shorai Hotbodies Racing Ryno Power Braking Leatt brace Factory Effex Honey Stinger Incase Mom & Dad Emi Beltran & Tony Cardarelli