Destry’s AMA H&H Race story

Race Day:
The banner dropped just after 9:30 and I had a pretty good jump. Unfortunately Kendall Norman, who started right next to me, beat me to my line so I had to get out of his dust and find something else. I was pretty confident with my line, and hadn’t practiced any other ones so it was a little on the sketchy side pinning it up the bomb. I was still able to get there in 3rd and was actually surprised with that! Russ was leading with Kendall in 2nd. The first loop was around 47-miles and most of it was pretty fast. I was struggling for a little bit, and the two guys in front of me started to pull away. At the 26-mile marker, we had an alternate pit that some of us had to stop for gas at. I had a quick splash and was back off. As soon as I left there, I started to feel better and picked up the pace. I think I was a little over a minute back from Russ at this point. When I finished the first loop, (48-miles) I was looking forward to the second one since I was told it was a lot tighter. I felt really good and was riding pretty aggressive, but it was hard at times since there were quite a few off camber rocky sections (which I liked).

 

I went down somewhere around 10-miles into this loop, but was able to get up pretty quick. I was still charging and could see I was slowly closing in on Russ and Kendall. With about 8-miles to go, I was close enough to finally get in Kendall’s dust. Then, at about the 6-mile marker, I was going up a hill and saw both Kendall and Russ coming back down. Right away I figured they had missed the course and I flipped a U-turn. As soon as I did I saw the course to the left of me, and jumped on it. Russ was able to beat me to the trail, but I was able to get in front of Kendall. Going down the hill I made the pass on Russ, and then tried to push it since we weren’t that far from the end. After a little bit I looked back and saw Kendall got around Russ and was now in 2nd. With about 2-miles to go I had built up a little gap, and was just trying to ride smart until I lost the course and was like no way! I turned around and started to go up a hill thinking the course went that way, and Kendall was doing the same thing. I think Russ saw the course below us and pinned it! I looked back and then started to pin it down the hill hoping to get back by Kendall. When I got to the bottom I was in his dust, and clipped a rock and went flying over the bars. I was pretty sore and slowly got on the bike (I knew we had a pretty big lead) and made my way to the finish for 3rd.

 

Overall Summary:
I was pretty bummed about my first loop (fast section), but felt a lot better on the technical stuff. My fitness was really good and I actually wish the race was a little longer. I can’t complain about the bike at all, and Jonny has been doing a great job with everything. I just need to make sure I start faster and don’t give up so much time. I still feel really good! Now I just need to keep plugging away, and do everything I can and see how it turns out!