Carlton Dry Honda Racing’s Josh Cachia has finished second overall in the MX2 class at today’s opening round of the 2013 MX Nationals at Raymond Terrace.
The Victorian rider, who was only signed to the team six weeks ago, battled severe numbing in his right arm throughout today’s two 30-minute races.
Cachia holeshot and led the opening Moto before the pain in his arm exacerbated and he was forced to back off, eventually finishing the race fifth.
He also holeshot the second moto before being passed by eventual race winner Luke Styke. Maintaining pace despite the pain, Cachia finished the race and round second.
“I got a good holeshot and led the opening race then something happened to my right arm and I just simply couldn’t hold on any more,” Cachia explained. “I backed off and thought being fifth is better than being on the ground.
“In the second race I told myself I had to pull my finger out, get the job done if I crash I crash at least I am trying and I came away with second.
“I am stoked to get the first round done and to come away with a podium. There is definitely a problem there with my arm that I will need to get fixed before we head to Murray Bridge,” he continued.
It was a tough day at the office for Carlton Dry Honda Racing’s MX1 pilots Ford Dale and Daniel McCoy.
Dale set the second fastest time in qualifying to advance to the all-new Superpole, but a small off in the last quarter of his timed lap put him fifth.
The 2012 MX2 Champion struggled through the opening race to finish 16th. Dale was taken down on the opening lap and after fighting his way back up the order he crashed midrace, losing ground.
Dale got a much better start in the second race and held pace with the front-runners throughout the moto before finishing fourth.
“I had a really good start to the day, I qualified second and superpole was going well until the last quarter of the lap when I ended up dropping it,” Dale said.
“The first moto definitely didn’t go to plan. I got taken down first lap was making my way through the field then had a big one half way through the race.
“I got a much better start in the second race and stayed around top three for the whole moto. I tried to consolidate and salvage some points,” Dale added.
It was a baptism of fire for Daniel McCoy who had less than two weeks to prepare for today’s event.
A crash early in qualifying damaged the radiator on the #65 Honda, affording McCoy little track time ahead of the opening race.
McCoy took the chequered flag 14th and after some minor changes between races, finished the second moto 10th.
“I had limited time on the bike this week which made it difficult to get a great setup in race conditions,” McCoy said. “Practice went well but I only got one lap of qualifying then crashed and ripped the radiator off which was disappointing as I really needed the track time.
“I was still getting used to the bike in the first race and tried to push for the top ten. We made some changes to the bike between races that definitely made a difference.
“With a couple of weeks until Murray Bridge I will try some different suspension at a NSW race this weekend and see if I can a get bit more comfortable on the bike,” McCoy added.
The next event will see the Carlton Dry Honda Racing team head to South Australia’s Murray Bridge on April 28.
2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals Results – Raymond Terrace, NSW
MX2 Overall Results:
1. Luke Styke 70
2. Josh Cachia 58
3. Kale Makeham 58
4. Luke Clout 55
5. Kade Mosig 53
6. Brock Winston 52
7. Matt Ryan 47
8. Kayne Lamont 46
9. Takeshi Katsuya 44
10. Geran Stapleton 43
MX1 Overall Results:
1. Todd Waters 75
2. Cody Cooper 60
3. Billy Mackenzie 58
4. Jay Marmont 54
5. Matt Moss 53
6. Tye Simmonds 52
7. Lawson Bopping 50
8. Jake Moss 47
9. Adam Monea 46
10. Ford Dale 43
13. Daniel McCoy 37
