"Bird - Hanging Tough"
Risk Racing Europe / GOMX / Watt Motorcycles supported racer, Ricky Bird fought hard for Irish Championship points at the all-new Sandy Hill circuit, thirty miles from Cork City yesterday.
Running second in the opening MX1 Moto, a large rock smashed into the young Lisburn mans face, resulting in a deep cut on his nose, in obvious pain and discomfort Richard still managed to finish the Moto in 5th position. (This race was rerun under protest - due to Red Flag incident, Richard finished 7th in the rerun)
Loosing quite a lot of blood and unable to breath through his swollen and badly bruised nose, Richard was finding the KTM 450 a bit of a handful around the tight Cork track, against the odds, a pair of 7th places were his reward for sheer guts and determination.
MX1 Results
Race: 7th
Race 2: 7th
Richard continued to show "fighting spirit" as he battled at the sharp end of the pack throughout the two MX2 Moto's, despite loosing the tail pipe from his Exhaust in the final lap of the first race.
The final Moto of the day was nothing short of a 'endurance test" - drained both physically and mentally, Richard was riding in "automatic pilot" coming home in 2nd position was testament to his conditioning and smooth riding style that preserved what little energy he had left.
MX2 Results
Race1: 2nd
Race 2: 2nd
With the season reaching the halfway point, there is plenty left to race for as the Irish Championship trail heads towards Round Five, the Irish GP track come 11th July.
The teams resolve has been tested over the past few events with "Racing Gremlins",but its not over until it's over!
