Cycle News

VOL. 52 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 27, 2015 P59 things went tonight. I think in this sport you've got to have a short memory and you've got to be focused on the task at hand. You can't be in the past at all. That was what I tried to do. It was great to come out with a good race tonight. You guys had a rather long conversation up there on the podium. I just wanted to make sure things are good be- tween him and I. I really respect him as an athlete and I want to keep peace. Does it feel good to clear that stuff up? Absolutely. You never want to have confronta- tion. I know me; I just don't like to have any en- emies, especially Chad. I watched him race when I was on 80s. He's always been a hero of mine. I just wanted to make things good. Was it tense at all when the two of you were battling for the lead? Did that thought even enter your mind in the race? It's a little nerve-racking just because you don't know what feelings are there. We hadn't really talked since then. So I was a little nervous, but I just wanted to make a quick pass and move forward and not do anything stupid. You didn't get a great start but you certain- ly made up for it. Where were you making up time on the track? I don't even know. I'm so frustrated with the starts. I think they [starts] got better and the heat race was a lot better. The main event, I jumped out great, just something happened in the begin- ning right out in front of the gate. Just got to keep working on those. I got lucky tonight with Roczen having the malfunction. I don't want these types of things to happen. It's really hard to do anything from the back. How did you pass Chad? Honestly I don't even remember [where I passed him]. I had a good spot before that back triple over there, and I got it there. I think I might have got him there, but I'm not real sure. I try not to even think about it. Just move forward and got to do our best. The race was a little bit crazy early on. I had a terrible first couple laps and got banged around and hit. It's chaotic back where I was. I thought I was done for. I really didn't think I was even going to be on the podium but was able to kind of pull it together and just ride smart. I got a gift with Kenny's malfunction but everything other than that, it was a good race. Is this one of the most competitive Super- cross championships than you've seen in years? Yeah, Kenny obviously kind of ran away with it a little bit, but we can all have our bad nights. I've had two the last two weeks. It's not over until it's over. It's not near over right now. We're only five in and we've got over 10 to go. I'm just excited to at least be in the hunt at this point and hope to continue that. When you had the win in sight, how did those last few laps feel? Terrible. I was trying to stay focused and just ride my race, but I got so nervous. It's kind of characteristic of me but hopefully now that I've got one I can kind of pull it together and ride a little bit stronger 20 laps next time. What were your thoughts on the track? It was brutal. It was full of ruts everywhere. It was tough. I thought it was good, though. It was really technical. I thought they did a good job with the moisture and everything. I think they're doing a good job. You made a lot of passes tonight, but kind of a rough one on Cole Seely. Yeah, I just jumped to the inside of him and he was turning down and I was there. Hopefully I didn't make him too mad. How does it feel to give Honda the win, its first win since 2013? It's just so great for me to be able to give that to them. They are in the shop until midnight some- times. I'm just grateful for the work they put in and hopefully I can continue to reward their effort. There's a really good vibe right now within the team, the best that I've known in the last years. I'm happy. There's no pressure, it's more like I just want to go make those guys happy. CN

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