Carl Stevens
Being only midway through that vile 12 week break (yep, that long) for the Ducati Performance Tri-Options Cup, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on the first two races, get some solid training in, finally give the bike some TLC and sneak a holiday in for good measure; alongside starting full time on the mag. It’s all been a bit full-throttle!
As we’ve been running someone else’s bike we’ve finally managed to bring it back, and send it all the way up north to Steve King Motorsport for him to work his magic. He’s literally going to rip it apart and put it back together; meticulously making the old Ducati Panigale 899 as good as new. This means all the usual things like changing oil, pads, checking bolts, but also with a brand new master cylinder we may finally cure the problem of that dreaded brake fade – especially as we are getting closer to those races in the peak of summer heat.
With Snetterton coming up next, we need to keep on pushing! And not just the bike. As the parts are still on the way to fix my pitbike after being taken out a few months back, I decided to get the old motocross bike out for a bit of summer training. Unfortunately the little track near us was actually shut, meaning me and a pal took our full blown MX bikes (knobblies and all) round a kart track! As far as training goes, trying to stay aboard that really does take some doing – and although the grip and feel was like riding a horse with no legs, it really was a good laugh; even though my little-two stroke was trying to kill me every time I lit it up out the hairpin. Thankfully, we kept them both upright and loved every minute of it. Fingers crossed it won’t be long before my pitbike’s fixed, so I’ll be able to keep my KX for the rough stuff – where it belongs. But you have to try everything once, right?
On top of this I’ve been training incredibly hard in the gym to keep myself shipshape and shiny! Everyone always works so hard for me on the weekend so it’s not a big thing to ask for me to be top of my game. I’ve spent more time in the gyms than I have in my own house, clocking up the cardio work and banging in the strength training.
It can’t do any harm and it’s helped me to feel set and ready for the next race meeting, which will be here before we know it. Truth is, this season’s been going alright and I’m keen to keep it going that way. Points make prizes, and I like prizes. Plus, I’m a bit addicted to that champers now!