Dude, we got there early and parked on the field next to the track and the big festival tent. Registration opened at 07:30am and Pieter and Eric got away with paying for insurance, I had to leave 10 Euros extra and had to live with it. But we all got a spot in the MX2 Hobby class which normally gets filled up quick (90 spo
ts total). This time not that many riders showed up and they decided to make it one group of almost 60 riders. It's suicide going into that first turn with so many amateurs who only get to ride a few times a year but there was no other choice. In practice I wasn't really feeling the track. Instead of tight turns (which I like), they had wide open staights with high speed jumps which isn't really up my alley. But
whatever, you have to make the best out of it. Instead of focusing on making the A-Final (first 50% of the even and uneven numbers), it was now time to find other challenges. Top 10 in this field was out of the question for me but the challenge came in the form of Eric Mulders. He said he had two goals; 1 Finish the race and 2 finish in front of me in both motos. I accepted the challange and instead of worrying about what place I was getting, I only had to focus on where Eric was in the race. His yellow Acerbis Banana outfit made it easy to spot him in the field. 
The gate dropped for moto 1. I drew gatepick 12 so I had a spot on the gate. Eric had not. But the fool next to me lost control and moved over to the outside so I had to let go off the gas withing 2 meters. This wasn't good but I managed to get out of the first chicane in 20th. I was looking for the banana in front of me but could not spot him. I did see Pieter Does three places in front of me but he simply took off. Much faster than me on his 2008 CRF 250. But I was worrying about Eric and saw him 3 laps into the race. I noticed I had a decent lead on him so I was feeling good. 
One lap later and he had stalled his 250 CRF and was trying to get it started anxiously in the infield. This left me with finishing the race. I did in 22nd, Pieter finished 14th and the banana did not make the first sheet of 39 riders............ 1-0.My day was looking good. Shit talking was going on in between the heats and Eric almost lost it. He was ready to show me what's up in heat two. Again my start was rubbish but at least I was not in the third starting row like Eric was. I g
ot out of the first turn around 20th position. I did not see # 79 in front of me. Good. Apparently Eric was creeping up on me but I had no clue. All I needed to do was stay in front of him and when it would be time for a direct battle, I would be ready for it. But then again I saw a bright yellow rider trying to get his red machine started. It was Eric. He had stalled his machine again and I was on my way to 2-0. The trash talking hasn't stopped, I don't think Eric will sleep well tonight. (haha).BdJ
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.