Cycle News

VOL. 51 ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 19, 2014 P67 factory support, so they have special parts that we don't. But for the most part, you can defi- nitely make a privateer bike com- petitive these days." Part of the knock on Peick among a few in the industry is that he's sort of a loner, and doesn't fit the "factory-rider" mold. Howev- er, Peick says he gets along with most of the riders on the circuit and is just kind of late arriving to the whole "Supercross scene." "I know all the top guys and for the most part they say 'good job' after a race, so it's all cool," says Peick. "I kind of grew up away from the motocross industry, so I'm not super good friends with all the other guys in the pits. I didn't race my whole life, I went to a regular high school, and I have friends outside of motocross. So that's kind of how it is, I hang out with my friends that I grew up with in high school, which is a little bit different, because all these guys hang out together at the track and off the track, while I just have my friends, and I keep it that way. I say hi to all the guys here at the races, but I stick to what I know. "Even when we raced the ama- teur nationals back in 2006, we kind of kept to ourselves, because we really didn't know anybody. We went racing, loaded up and went home, and that's about it." Still, you would expect a few teams to at least talk to Peick af- ter his last two races. "There hasn't been anything like that, as far as offers," says Peick. "But we're only six rounds into the season. Teams are may- be watching my results and keep- ing up with me, but until halfway through Supercross, I think that's when teams will start talking." On the track, Peick has a lot going for him, he's strong, ag- gressive, and he's not afraid of anyone. "I'm strong on the bike, and I can last 20 laps pretty solid; that's tunez working with him on his technique and conditioning. "My riding has improved a lot over the last year after work- ing with Buddy; he's definitely helped me with my riding and my speed," says Peick. "He helps with my conditioning, too. I work hard on and off the bike, and I feel like I'm a strong rider, so I don't really have any issues with that." As far as the team side of it goes, Peick is getting just enough help in that department, too. "My team is supported by Motosport.com, and I also have support from Yoshimura Suzuki," says Peick. "As far as my engines, it's a combination of Yoshimura doing them, and Catfish Motors. My suspension gets done by Dave Cruz who has been doing my stuff for about two and a half years now. "Suzuki helps out as much as they can, obviously they have budgets, but they do what they can and it's a big help to my pro- gram." Back to back fifth-place fin- ishes are impressive, especially when you consider the talent that is in the 450 class this year. So you have to wonder if Peick has what it takes to take the next step and get a fourth or even a third, or better yet, a win. "Anything is possible, it all comes down to the first turn and who can last 20 laps without crashing," says Peick. "That's kind of what this sport comes down to." CN " I FEEL COMFORTABLE ON THE TRACK IN THE WHOOPS, AND I DON'T TAKE ANY CRAP OFF OF ANYONE, THAT'S HOW I ROLL. " what I think are my strong points," says Peick. "I feel comfortable on the track in the whoops, and I don't take any crap off of anyone, that's how I roll. "When I first started breaking into the top 10 I was a little bit in- timidated, but now it's my job, and to get a paycheck each weekend you can't be intimidated by any- one around you, because you're better than them one weekend and they might be better than you the next weekend." Peick also has former Aren- across Champion Buddy An-

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