No rest for Valentin Debise; after Road America and Barber, he completed his third consecutive weekend of races on the Miller circuit for a new round of the MotoAmerica championship.
You can find previous episodes here: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
I think you all remember this circuit. the Mondial Superbike stopped there a few years ago. The specificity of this circuit is that it is located at altitude, around 1500m.
This is the first circuit I was able to go to by car, a 12-hour drive. It was nice to see a little of the country. The setting is magnificent around the mountains where there was still a little snow. The weather there is very dry and hot. Because of the altitude and its less dense air, the motorcycles work less well than usual. It's a strange feeling that you have to get used to, it's like I'm riding a new motorcycle. The driver also suffers a little more than usual; breathing is essential during races to limit fatigue.
I was lucky enough to be able to do a few laps of the car on the circuit the day before testing. Rickdiculous, a renowned flying school in the United States, was present for an internship. Part of their training involves driving a car on the track to learn the lines. Rickdiculous sponsors my team, and my coach Ken HILL works with them. Everything came together well! Thanks to them for their help. From the first laps I quickly understood how the track worked, but at a certain point I could no longer increase my speed, and my problem persisted during the second free session. I was quite worried in the evening. It's always difficult for me to understand where the problem comes from when I'm learning a track. I could see that the trajectories I was taking did not correspond to what I wanted to do but when I respected the lines that I thought were good my time was slower. A real headache! We spent time deciphering the telemetry data from my bike, to change our engine braking strategy and modify the length of the swingarm.
Qualifying day and first race in the afternoon. It goes very quickly. I have no room for error this morning, I absolutely have to put things right. I was tense before getting on the bike but I had my plan in mind in case the modifications made to the bike didn't suit me. From the start of the session I feel more comfortable, the bike allows me to do what I want. She is freer than the day before. I take this session as a free practice session. I'm having fun with the bike, I'm trying new things on the track. I try my “overtaking” trajectories to prepare for the race. At the end of the session I put on a new rear tire. I am confident, I push my limits and finish the session in third position. Unexpected first line the day before, incredible!
I take an average start, which is detrimental on this circuit because the starting grid is extremely far from the first corner. We have time to pass the 6rd before braking, which is not usual. We find ourselves in a fight with four drivers. The leader performs three sick laps and escapes, impossible to follow him. The race goes smoothly, I stay stuck in second. On the last lap I had the choice of passing it in the penultimate left or in sector 2 turn number 5. A left at the closed entrance which widens endlessly upon acceleration. I see that we are catching up with the latecomers, I take the option of overtaking him at No. 5 because you always have to be in front when you overtake them. Normally he brakes then shifts to the right to open his turn. This time he chose to close the door on me. I was surprised, I had already made my attack. I shift to the left without having a choice. Which makes me take a little angle so less pressure on the front brake. I use my rear brake to compensate for the lack of front brake. I still manage to slow down as I wish. I keep a little front brake when I release the bike, trying to be as gentle as possible. But nothing helps before letting go of me. I see myself slipping on the ground, as soon as I feel like I'm going to stop rubbing the ground I get up and run towards my motorbike. I pick it up all twisted. Screen, fairing, broken footrest brake, etc… I cross the finish line as best I can in 6rd position. I take full responsibility, it's my fault, period. If I could redo it, I would. I couldn't stay behind without trying anything. For the record I lost 26 seconds this lap.
Second race. I am determined to rectify my mistake yesterday. The only solution available to me is to attack even harder. I get a good start, I find myself side by side with another driver. Both of us want to take the aspiration of the competitor in front of us. I impose myself, first contact. The first round is done under tension. I'm third, the driver I hit before is trying to counterattack. I resist, I double the second one. The first makes a big racket in front of me. It makes me slow down, I try to squeeze through. But the third arrives launched and imposes itself in front of me. At the next braking it widens, I pass it. He stays stuck to me, I can't see him. I accelerate normally by lifting the bike, and there… big contact. We almost fall. I gas up as soon as possible and manage to maintain my second position. We pass the first round. Finally ! The next few rounds will be a little smoother. A few overtakes, a fall from an opponent who was in over his head. We catch up with the latecomers with four laps to go. There are only three of us left fighting for second position, the first took us 2 seconds. We overtake a laggard, my competitor passes him on the right, me on the left. He decides to change course, we collide. And three! I think about breathing as deeply as possible to stay calm and keep in touch with the second one. The pace is extremely high. We run in the best times on the circuit throughout the race. I see the other latecomers arriving, I push a little harder to get second and be in front when overtaking the latecomers. I make a mistake, lose a few meters. Fortunately I manage to come back in two laps, my pace is good. We enter the last lap, this time I decide to attack on the penultimate left of the circuit. I stay glued to his saddle. A latecomer pushes to let him pass, and gets back on track when I arrive. I had not anticipated this probability. I arrive launched, and I hit him violently. I can't tell you how I stayed on my bike, I have no idea. I go back to full throttle as soon as possible, I no longer feel my left foot hitting hard. I enter the next turn, the bike slips. I think the rear tire is flat. I look to the side of my motorcycle. She is leaking water. I finish my lap as best I can, almost falling at every turn. I save my third position. I don't need to describe my relief once I crossed the finish line!
I am satisfied. My pace was much higher in the second race. Every outing on my motorcycle I feel good and we are progressing. The level is very high, everyone wants to win. It makes the competition harder and more intense, so much the better for us and for you if you watch the races on TV!
Even if I would like to win, you have to keep in mind that I am learning all the circuits without exception. I was on the podium eight times, I won one race. I'm third in the championship ahead of guys who aren't here to laugh. I couldn't dream of anything better. I have a week off, then we're going to go to the Laguna Seca circuit at the same time as the World Superbike! I can not wait to be there.
valentine
