Finke Winning Streak comes to an end for KTM
Off Road News
Finke Winning Streak comes to an end for KTM
| Posted: Tuesday, 11th June, 2013 : 3:00 PM - - 3,723 Reads |
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Two of the most talented and professional steerers in the game, Matt Fish and Ben Grabham gave it a big fistful for the team, but found themselves unable to combine all the elements required to feature in Australia’s fastest dirt bike race, finishing a disappointed eighth and eleventh respectively.
The race was won by Todd Smith (Honda) from his brother Jake Smith (Honda) and Josh Green (Yamaha).
HSE Motorex KTM team’s Finke champion of 2012 and 2010, Toby Price was unable to defend his crown as he recovers from serious injury suffered during a trip to the US to test for the Baja Rally.
Fourth overall went to Over 450cc class winner Jarrod Bewley (Husaberg’s), while KTM-mounted Ivan Long, who was the third-fastest rider on the trip back from Finke this morning, rounded out the overall top-five.
Fish overcame a pinched nerve which left him unable to feel his throttle hand on the down leg, to slice more than two minutes off his return time and post a respectable 2:08:06.
“Well, no excuses there were a number of things that weren’t quite there today and we had our butts handed to us." Finke stated. "The bike was fast enough, the team put in a huge effort, but we missed the mark by a little bit with our setup and it cost us badly.
"I had an okay run apart from a pinched nerve on the way down. My right hand went numb on the way down and I lost some time but Tim Cole worked on it last night in camp and it went away.
"We’ll take a lot out of this and be back with a vengeance next time to put the KTMs back on top." Fish added.
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While most mortals would be happy with such an achievement a mere 15 months after fracturing their spine, Grabbo knew he just wasn’t feeling it, and was bitterly disappointed.
“Straight up I'm pretty disappointed with myself." Grabham commented after the event. "The last four times I’ve ridden across that finish line it’s been in first place so I’ve become a bit used to it!
"To be honest, I feel I let the boys down, but at least I’ve learned a lot these last few days about where I need to be to run at the pointy end. My run was pretty clean. "I tried to push early yesterday but I had a few moments early and I lost my rhythm, but at least it’s something to build on," he added.
"Thanks to everyone who put in the effort, the bike was great; I just couldn’t do it on the day. I suppose it would be too easy if I could spend six months laying on my back and come straight back in at the top - there's gotta’ be some hard work in it! Besides, compared to where I was this time last year, where I am now is a pretty good place.”
KTM mounted class winners included Tasmanian Lincoln Bird (250cc+ Two-Stroke) and 500EXC-mounted Brandon Kienhuis (40-44 years).
“If we weren’t disappointed with how we went this time there'd be something wrong, but there are some positives for us to take away and we’ll regroup and come back twice as strong." General Manager of KTM Australia, Jeff Leisk commented.
"This is an extremely tough race and that’s what attracts KTM. Both boys put in solid rides and the bikes were extremely reliable and came home strong.
"It wasn’t our year this time but we’ve got a great platform to go forward with next year. I know Ben is disappointed as a four-time winner but this time last year he wasn’t even a starter so the challenge was a good confidence builder." Leisk concluded.
Top Image: Matt Fish finished in 8th place at this years Finke Desert Race
Credit: FourOhFour
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