BRANDON PAASCH AND TEAM AGR RACE FIM CEV FINALE AT VALENCIA
Brandon Paasch showed up at Circuit Ricardo Tormo at Valencia with the goal to become the highest finishing American racer in a FIM CEV Moto3 race. After being invited to ride with Team AGR on their KTM Moto3 GP racebike at the season finale, Brandon did everything he could to prepare for the race weekend.
Unfortunately, a fall in training the Wednesday prior to the race led to him reinjuring his previously broken wrist. Gritting his teeth, Brandon ran both practices on Friday and set his sights on a top qualifying spot on Saturday. Despite using a splint and duct tape to secure his wrist, he was only able to qualify 31st, less than a second from his goal of a Top 15 starting position.
“I think that was the hardest time I’ve ever had on a bike. It really sucked that I crashed while training, I just got caught out when I hit a wet spot on the Supermoto bike while breaking in my new Spidi leathers. My goal to be the top American in a FIM CEV race kind of got set aside, so I tried to focus on the best result I could manage in qualifying. I couldn’t really push much harder, as my wrist was losing strength and my whole body was really sore.” (Brandon Paasch)
On Sunday, Brandon woke up with a renewed resolve to improve his results in the race. But while pushing forward in the pack, he tucked the front under braking and slid off into the gravel on Lap 7. Brandon regrouped and started Race 2, but he had to pull off after just one lap due to pain from his earlier crash.
“I’m so upset that I couldn’t ride to my full potential at Valencia. I know I had the best mindset ever to push for a great finish, and I believe I had a great racebike from Team AGR to get me there. I just couldn’t move around on the bike like I needed, and I had no strength in my right wrist to support me on the bike.
“I had such a great time working with Team AGR and Anscari on their KTM Moto3 bike. That bike was fast, and a couple tips from Joe Roberts helped me focus and find some places to cut my lap times on the track. I really learned a lot while training with Team AGR, Joe and Benny (Solis), but I can’t believe I wasn’t able to show that out there. Crashing really sucks!
“Now that I know I can get out there and run with some of the fastest guys in Europe, I’m more determined than ever to get back there. I’ve got some more to prove, but I know I can do it. At the end of the day, it really was an amazing time working with Anscari and Team AGR. I’m so grateful that I was invited to be a part of the team. I also have to say a huge thanks to Spidi and Arai for saving my butt when I hit the deck! My sponsors really helped me a lot this year, and luxeStar VIP, CCC Manhattan, and Evolve GT Trackdays really stepped up to get me to Valencia. To all my friends and supporters, I’ll be back stronger than ever! Make sure to follow me on social media and my website to get the latest news and updates on my plans for 2019. See you at the track!” (Brandon Paasch)
Follow Brandon’s progress on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for an inside look at his racing season.
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Twitter: @PaaschBrandon
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