Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126513
isn't very sr-I ~1IB.1i'tll!ll'Y .t)"u-· • getting a jump, I need to get used to the bikes, I've never ridden a Suzuki before" and 1 really need to get on one so I'll be ready for the Nationals, I'm sure Laurens will get something going right away and build something really good." The typical MXer's answer to the typical question of "What's your goal?" is to be a National Champion, Manin has that ambition on sig/H, put incorporated a bit of forethought mto his answer. "Maybe I'm not so much after that one title. I'd just like to be one of the best. I think I have it in me, but with me it might take a lit\le longer because I'm more of a slower,' consistent rider. I like to be sure of what lin doing. I see it up ahead somewhere, but the hardest thing fo,r me is to learn to adapt to the harder packed tracks." When he was left without a bike for the Winter Series Martin ended up 'with a 125cc Y'!maha for the simple reason that a 125 is easy to resell due to demand. The tale doesn't get involved until one realizes that Martin is six feet, three inches tall, weighs 185 pounds and has a size 13 foot! It was a points battle all through the series between Martin and Yamaha factory rider Donnie Cantaloupi, The final moto of eight be.came the decider, and Martin lost out when the two riders stuffed each other through a deep bermed corner. ''I'm not so mad at Donnie ilS I am at myself. If I could have put it all together a little better and if 1 wouldn't have had so many problems throwing chains I could have done better. "I think 1 should have won. I think I was able to go faster than him ·(Cantaloupi). The only hard feelings I have is that he rode pretty dirty. I thought. because he knew it was down to the wire and it gave him reasori to.' 1 don't think 1 would have done that. It wasn't so much tbat one move (where Martin fell) but he was baiting me and trying to put me down. 1 knew that was the only way he was going to beat me because 1 knew I could beat him." Martin sees a top rider turnover on the way, sees himself aggressive enough to climb success's ladder, and hopes things stay the same· for a'bit··at least until he reaches the final rung. "There're lot of good guys coming up and pretty soon they're going to replace some of the older guys. It's probably going to be staying pretty much big buck stuff, at least I hope ·f~~::"~'~~~~~~~~!:!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~=:~~==~~~=~~~~~:=:=====l ..... 00 0') ..... ..... .... « M Q.c SO. I t Putting it to~ther one more time. Lining up another season and hoping to succeed. At 19, Martin has a soft 'spoken tone that exemplifies experience in racing, and in life. Not trying to make his way with words or gimmicks, only hoping to someday stand on merit aldne. No, it's not alwa.ys easy. but that's the way it has to be. "The move to Suzuki will be a good one. The bikes look good and I'm going to start practicing all 1 can and just try to adapt to those harder tracks, to become an all around better rider, "1 love racing a lot. 1 enjoy just riding. I've been .doing it since I was ten years old. Back then 1 didn't enjoy it that much but my dad kept me in it and I'm glad he did. . "Sometines it's Friday night or Saturday night and you want to go out and have a good time 'with your · friends, but it takes a little · determihation," Time will tell if Martin can: make it. ,Unlike. the famous comedian,; this ,Steve Martin wants to. cut 'path to success not by making people I.augh. · but by malting people' reSpect him {or what he is: And he hopes this year he'll 'accomplish that by being one 'of the 'best. • a 'No brag~ .Fact. 'The ,Best Go West' I-shirts say ·it all. 'Please tum to ·our order blan ,in the Want Ad' section. and': make. y'our statement.. 25