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 Round 1 of the Australian Super Moto Championships was not exactly what Alpinestars Honda Australia rider Rachael Eagle was hoping for.
Rd 1 was held at the Ipswich Karting Track in Qld, which has not always been a favourite track of Eagle’s in the first place. The track is a very tight and slippery track which Eagle finds challenging. After qualifying 2
nd in the Women’s class, Eagle made some changes before race 1 to the bike in order to get more speed off the start. Unfortunately the changes made it difficult for Eagle to get the bike started for race 1 which meant that she missed the Pit Lane gate closing in time.
“ This was a little disappointing, I had worked hard during qualifying to get good times to move forward on the grid and improved from last year. Then to have problems with the bike which saw me having to start from pit lane”, says Eagle.
Eagle managed to make her way through the field and finished 3 rd in the Women’s class. Race 2 and 3 went considerable well for Eagle finishing 2nd in both races, and saw her bring her lap times within 2 seconds of the current Australian Champion Becky Bateman. This was a great achievement since this track saw Eagle have many problems in previous years.
Race 4 which was held on the Sunday did not go as planned for Eagle. Knowing that she had to make up points from race 1 Eagle was determined to put in every bit of energy and effort that she had left. However the unthinkable struck and saw Eagle hit the ground in the first lap of the final race.
“As the women’s class is combined with the Vet’s class, there is sometimes banging of the bars. Unfortunately for me, one of the Vet riders slammed on the rear brake in the dirt section and came off the bike. I tried to move to the left, and hit some yellow discs that were on the side of the track. The slick tyres did not take to kind to this and I also hit the ground”, comments Eagle
After getting back on the bike and riding the wheels off her Honda CRF450, Eagle managed to finish 4th in this race. Overall for Rd 1 however, Eagle held onto 2nd place with only 2 points to spare. Not a bad effort considering how the weekend unfolded. Next Super Moto race for Eagle is Rd 2 of the Australian Super Moto Championships which will be held in Mildura, Vic on August 9th – 10th.
Round 1 positions
1st - Becky Bateman - Husky Chix
2nd - Rachael Eagle - Honda
3rd - Stephanie Readman - Husky Chix
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News 
Rachael Eagle Founded Gitch in 2004 because she wanted to help young women get involved in active, extreme sports often dominated by men. Read more 
