DAY 3 COURSE click on image to enlarge

Here are the details and timing for the route:

Race Day:

When the banner dropped, my bike fired on the first kick and I was off and pinning it. I was just to the side of Kurt, but he was able to get there before me when we started to turn right after the bomb. At that point, I saw David was able to get right behind Kurt and that pushed me back another spot. Now I was in 3rd, riding in their dust, and as I started to slow down I saw Jacob go by. I pinned it off to the side, and then Jacob and I had a good battle going until I finally was able to get back into a solid third. The first loop was close to 60-miles, and it was really fast so it was going to be hard to pass. I was just outside of David’s dust and I saw he wasn’t far behind Kurt. Just before the alternate pit I made a few mistakes and wasn’t able to key off them anymore, but could still see their dust. I stopped for a quick splash and was then back in last gear. It was pretty uneventful for the next 30 or so miles, and then it was time to get another splash of gas in the main pits. Now we went into the dunes and I was actually having a really good time, but was bummed I didn’t have anyone to race with. Then finally on the back side of the dunes we got into some rocky sections, and I was able to see dust again. Unfortunately, I wasn’t really close enough to do much. Then there was this really cool rocky uphill that I just struggled on and went down right in front of someone filming (just my luck). I got up pretty quick and just pretty much tried to ride a good pace all the way to the finish. I felt good by the time I got the checkered flag, but just wasn’t able to close the gap.

Overall Summary:

Another solid podium finish which is nice, but I really need to be pulling off wins or at least seconds. I definitely could’ve been more aggressive today and I’ll have to work on that before the next H&H in two weeks (up in Idaho). My fitness and the bike are great so it’s just up to me to pin it!

Overall Results:

1st Kurt Caselli

2nd David Pearson

3rd Destry Abbott

4th Jacob Argubright

5th Justin Morrow

6th David Kamo

Other Notes:

Here’s Beau’s video from the race. http://www.promoto.tv/

Jonny did a great job this weekend with everything we had going on. It was pretty much wide open since the last week. Huge props to Jonny for everything he did this week.

I have next weekend off and then I’ll be up in Idaho for another H&H. The club always does a great job on promoting that race and it should be fun. Let’s hope for some rain or maybe snow!

Best Wishes,

www.destryabbott.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Destry-Abbott/114746998547830?ref=ts

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/destryabbott450

2011 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stabilizers, Shoei, Fox Racing Shox, Akrapovic exhaust, GoPro, Stephen Gall Training, SIDI, IMS, Zip-Ty, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, BRP, Braking, Works Connection, Concept2, CTI2, Maxima, Kicker, O’GIO, Traxxas, Renthal, Hinson, Jonre Multimedia, dragonfireracing.com, Tomac Bicycles, Matrix, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

When the banner dropped I got a great jump, but still had a tough time getting to the end of the banner first. I was around 7th, or so, and had to start slowly picking guys off. Close to the 5-mile marker I was able to put a good pass on Kendall Norman to get myself into the top 5, but not long after that I went down going up a hill. I hurried up and got going again before he could get back by me. When I got to the bottom I looked back and he was nowhere to be seen. I guess he crashed on the same hill and hit the ground pretty hard (I don’t believe he finished).

The first loop was pretty uneventful and I was in 4th, behind Justin Morrow, and really wasn’t able to do much. After the first 40-miles was over I was still in 4th and was told Kurt Caselli and David Pearson were already way ahead of us.

This last loop was around 50+ miles and I heard the last part was going to be really tough. I knew this was going to be my opportunity, and once we started to get into the really technical stuff I was able to get right on Justin and then later make the pass. I had to stop at the alternate (38-miles into this loop) and they told me the top 2-guys were a ways ahead so I knew there was no reason to hang it out.

After the alternate gas it was like I was riding some trails at Erzburg. They put us in some awesome stuff and I was totally surprised that we were racing through it, but pumped they actually put it in the race. I had a great time and just kept plugging away and trying to ride smart through it. Then there was a long valley into the finish and I figured I had a good solid 3rd, but with less than a mile to go I saw Kurt pushing his bike to the finish so I ended up finishing 2nd.

Overall Summary:

My goal coming into the opening round was to get on the podium, and since I pulled off a second I really wasn’t too disappointed. It’s a long series stacked with a ton of great riders, and I know if I stay on the podium I’ll be right there for my main goal (championship). I’m feeling good and fit so I just need to keep plugging away!

Overall Results (top 15):
1st David Pearson
2nd Destry Abbott
3rd Jacob Argubright
4th Justin Morrow
5th Kurt Caselli
6th Ryan Kudla
7th Brad Pace
8th Coltan Udall
9th Carl Maassberg
10th Ivan Ramirez
11th Jordan Brandt
12th Brett Saunders
13th Levi Hutchings
14th Morgan Crawford
15th Dan Capparelli

Other Notes:

I was super pumped to see DMC (the club that put this race on) put on a great national last loop! I’m sure they’re going to get a lot of people complaining, but it’s a national and that’s the stuff that separates the top guys! Great job on the last loop! It was like a tough national Enduro!

The H&H series is so stacked with great riders this year (as I was saying before). I can’t remember the last time there were so many great riders. A few of them started the year off on a bad foot. Kendal crashed out. Kamo had a stick go through his radiator, and Kurt who was going to pull off the win until he had bike issues right before the finish. Finishing consistently is going to be the key!

If you haven’t made it out to a National H&H you really should. This round had a huge turnout and they’re usually great races to do (and it doesn’t cost that much) or to watch.

Here’s a video Beau did from the race (pretty cool)! It shows how many people were starting at once and it has some awesome footage with a GoPro. http://promoto.tv/

Here’s a really cool video Kawasaki posted on their site of our off road race team (before our first WORCS race). http://www.kawasaki.com/Racing_news/Article.aspx?id=1515

I had a lot of people ask why I was running #14. Since it’s my number for WORCS and the Endurocross series I figured I would just use the same number everywhere. It’s also my 14th year with Kawasaki, so I figured it was meant to be!

I started a Twitter page and if you want to check it out. http://twitter.com/#!/destryabbott450.

My next race is this weekend for the opening WORCS round in Taft, Ca.

(photos taken by Mark Kariya)

Best Wishes,

www.destryabbott.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Destry-Abbott/114746998547830?ref=ts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/destryabbott450

2011 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stabilizers, Shoei, Akrapovic exhaust, Stephen Gall Training, SIDI, IMS, Zip-Ty, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, BRP, Braking, Works Connection, Concept2, CTI2, Maxima, Kicker, O’GIO, Traxxas, Renthal, Hinson, Jonre Multimedia, dragonfireracing.com, Tomac Bicycles, Matrix, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

Johnny Aubert, France Trophy Team

Riding in a day that was cooler than the opening competition was a relief for some riders unaccustomed to the heat of this Mexican location of Morelia. The second day however still represented plenty of challenges in time controls and in the special tests offering riders and spectators plenty of excitement.

Italy, with KTM factory riders Thomas Oldrati , Alessandro belometti and Simone Albergoni the Italians are also proving strong finishing just two minutes behind France. Finland’s Trophy Team with Eero Remes of KTM stay in third place and the USA with Kurt Casseli and Mike Brown riding for KTM are still fourth.

Kurt Caselli, US Trophy Team

Sweden shone in the Junior Trophy thanks to the efforts of KTM rider Henrik Lindholm but the did benefit from a mistake by a member of the Spanish team (with Lorenzo Santolino and Mario Roman who both excelled in the Junior competitions at the 2010 world championships). Sweden finished nine seconds ahead of Spain, trimming their overall lead.

KTM’s Eero Remes is second overall behind France’s Antoine Meo (Husqvarna) with Italian Alex Salvini (Husqvarna) in third. Meanwhile Johnny Aubert (KTM) has a 2.5 minute overall lead in the E2 individual class in front of Italians Manuel Monni (Yamaha) and Thomas Oldrati (KTM). Spain’s Oriol Mena (Husaberg) tops E3 class, but is being challenged by France’s Sebastien Guillaume and Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas). Mexico’s top performer Homero Diaz (KTM is in fifth)

Eerp Remes, Finland Trophy Team

ValliMotorsport’s Taylor Robert took the holeshot for what was supposed to be his comeback ride to the WORCS Series. Robert won the opening round, but was injured during the race and has been out all these months for surgery and re-hab. He held off charges by Caselli and Brown and looked ready to resume his win streak. However, on the second lap of the race, a rock bent his rear sprocket, tossing the chain into the cases, resulting in a broken case and a DNF for Robert. Caselli took over the lead but was quickly displaced by Brown who simply took off and left everybody behind for the next two hours. Brown took the checkered flag with time to spare…….

Check out the full story @ CycleNews.com

For more info and to order your Destry Abbott ISDE Team USA t-shirt go to destryabbott.com or e-mail Destry at kxabbott@hotmail.com

Heat 1:
I wasn’t able to practice any starts and it showed. I had a horrible start, and that’s usually one of my strong points at these races. They only took the top two to the main, and after my bad start I was able to make it up to 4th at the finish. Taddy won, followed by my teammate Justin Soule who took the final spot. I had Kevin Rookstool right in front of me with Coltan Haaker in 5th (you can see it was stacked).

Semi 1:
This is always a tough one since they only take the winner to the main. I had about a 4th place start, but made it up to 2nd right behind Rookstool. I tried to make some passes, but just couldn’t make any stick. Then Coltan put a good pass on me in the big rock corner. The three of us had a great battle going, but Coltan took the win with Kevin and I all finishing within bike lengths of each other.

LCQ:
A place I didn’t want to be in I had another horrible start and was probably around 7th. It was a short race, and I saw the leaders checking out and knew I had to really push it. I made some aggressive passes and got into 3rd with clear track. I was about 5-seconds behind Rookstool. I actually felt the best I had all night now, and started to do a few obstacles a lot better and was making up time on Cody Webb and Rookstool. By the time the checkered flag came out I was right on Rookstool’s fender, but it wasn’t good enough! That was the end of my racing for the night.

Overall Summary:
I do have to say this is the best I’ve felt on the bike since early in the year (before my injuries). I rode way better at this EX race then I did at the first round (and I made the main there) and as the night went on my speed kept getting better. That’s just the way EX racing is and I think that’s why it so fun to watch too. The training is starting to pay off again and it feels good to be getting closer to 100% again. I just want to finish the year out strong and get ready for 2011!

Main Event Results:
1. Taddy Blazusiak
2. Kyle Redmond
3. Kevin Rookstool
4. Gary Sutherlin
5. Justin Soule
6. Colton Haaker
7. Cory Graffunder
8. Jamie Lanza
9. Mike Brown
10. Cody Webb
11. Geoff Aaron

Other Notes:
This race wasn’t on my schedule, but on Tuesday evening I received a call from Jason Smigel at Kawasaki. He asked if I could take Ricky Dietrich’s spot since he’s still on the injured list, and I definitely jumped at the opportunity. I love EX races! The only problem was that I haven’t practiced any EX riding since the first round and had to ride Ricky’s 2011 250f which I’ve never ridden. The 2011’s are FI bikes and I was blown away by how good it was. I definitely didn’t have the starts figured out, but other then that the bike was really good. I just wish I could’ve had more time to practice and prepare for it!

I’ve qualified for the main event for the last five straight EX races, but my streak ended here. I’ll try and see if I can get the streak going again:)

Here’s another cool video clip from Dillon at ShotMaker. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQwZrAlAtWM

This is a video clip of the track walk I did with Monster Energy Kawasaki at the first round. It shows how tough some of the obstacles are. http://www.kawasaki.com/racing_news/article.aspx?id=1439

My next race is scheduled to be in three weeks (WORCS), but I might be racing the Washington EX race if Ricky isn’t 100% yet. We’ll wait and see.

I was super pumped for my riding and training partner (Gary Sutherlin). He finished a strong 4th in the main event and had the speed to be on the podium. He’s been working really hard and deserves his great finish!

As a lot of you might know I’m a big basketball fan and love playing it too. I got to meet Rik Smits who was a big time player for the Pacers and got to talk with him for a while (picture attached). He’s really a cool guy and a good rider too. He finished on the podium in the vet class and it was awesome to hear the Indiana crowd cheering for him!

I’m working with the guys from the EX series this week to purchase the 100 tickets for the final round in Vegas. I’ll be sure to post more on my web site and Facebook fan page on how to purchase them. It should be a pretty cool deal!

I attached some photos from Mark Kariya and Kenny Jones. Thanks for the help guys!

I also need to thank Chappy for being my mechanic for the weekend. It was like the good old days! He did some wrenching for me when I started with Kawasaki.

www.destryabbott.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Destry-Abbott/114746998547830?ref=ts
2010 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stabilizers, Shoei, Akrapovic exhaust, Stephen Gall Training, SIDI, IMS, Zip-Ty, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, BRP, Braking, Works Connection, Concept2, CTI2, Maxima, Kicker, O’GIO, Traxxas, Renthal, Hinson, Jonre Multimedia, dragonfireracing.com, Tomac Bicycles, Matrix, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

Round five (for the bikes) of Best in the Desert’s American Off-road Racing Series saw Johnny Campbell Racing Honda’s Cody chase RPP Racing Yamaha-mounted Jerry Parsons and Anthony Westbay for most of the first 300-plus miles of the 534-mile-long sprint between Beatty and Dayton, Nevada.

But when they reached one long, rough, uphill sand wash where the dust wasn’t as bad, Cody realized his chance was at hand and dashed into the lead, enjoying nothing but clean air from there to the finish, which he reached in nine hours, 21 minutes and 18 seconds, unofficially. Parsons and Westbay easily held on for the runner-up spot in 9:35:06……

Check out the full story @ Cyclenews.com