RYAN KUDLA TAKES USDR ROUND 4 OVERALL VICTORY! - RACE REPORT

By Ryan Kudla photo by American Metrics

Got out there before my dad and brother for once this time on Saturday afternoon and actually had some time to unload slowly and get changed for the practice lap and be up on the front row. I started in the 2^nd wave of riders and went to the front of this row after the first little rise. The start seemed like it was a little better than the last time I rode it and the rolling hills after the start were very fun. When the practice lap was all said and done I knew it was going to be a fast race the next day and I got to work on my bike to get it set up for the following day. Again, I got everything done early and was in the trailer and out of the wind at around 4:00 PM and man was it blowing hard! Props to all the little kids who were braving the wind for the kids race! I did some homework, watched a movie, and slid into bed around 10:00 that night.

When we got up Sunday morning it was definitely not what we were expecting. I was hoping for a little breeze and partly cloudy skies and what we got was rainy skies and cold weather. Something totally unexpected but I only had to make a few set up changes to the goggles and get an extra set of gloves ready and I was prepared. I watched the start of race one and one of our club members Adam Casper got the holeshot on the senior beginner line and ended up 3^rd even with a flat rear tire. I waited till the last possible moment to head over and my girlfriend used the umbrella for what it was actually intended for, for once!

After Dave signaled for 2 minutes I got ready and when the flagged dropped I got my normal bad start but we were all still close together. We ran in a tight group for and Jason Parsons and I were going back and forth on the first road with Nick Burson just slightly ahead of us. When we hit the first little rock sections Nick and Jason pulled away from me a little bit as I couldn’t feel my hands and was having trouble feeling the bars or doing anything with the controls. So I lost a little time there but was slowly pulling back up a little bit as we got back on the roads and my hands started to warm up again.

At the end of the first lap I had pulled all my tear offs because rain had gotten in-between them and all I could see was a blur until I pulled the last one. I didn’t see Jason go down but all of a sudden it was only nick in front of me so I thought Jason had pulled into the pits. I noticed that I was starting to reel Nick back in and it only made me push harder.

I caught up to nick shortly after check 2 and was getting pelted by the roost all down the road. After the race it looked like I got shot by a whole bunch of BB’s! But I wanted to stay close to nick because I knew I had to pit this lap. I pulled up next to him on one of the roads and it was a totally drag race down the road and while I could have pinched him off and made it past I decided not to and he was able to pull up next to me and push me wide in the next corner. I kept getting pelted with the roost and ruined the goggles that I had on, but I knew I was going to be getting a new pair soon.

I pulled into the pits and got out as quick as I good thanks to my roommate and my girlfriend. I was pushing hard to try and catch back up to Nick because I knew he was going to have to pit the next lap. I was hoping to just get close before the pits again but I was able to catch up faster than I was expecting and after the long road that parallel Trona rd. we made the jog left and then right, and when the trail split before the road crossing I left it on a little longer and launched off the double rise there and made the pass and tried to take off. Nick stayed close past the check and onto the roads but I knew he was getting pelted with the heavy roost out there so I just kept my head down and kept pushing.

The last lap was pretty uneventful as I just tried to stay safe and fast and put as much of a gap on him as I could and when I came through the finish it felt so good to get my first win of the year! I haven’t gotten one since the final round of last year and to finally get one again felt so sweet! I didn’t find out until later that Nick had gotten his front brake cable cut somewhere out on the first lap, but a win is a win and it’s still just as sweet!

I want to just thank everyone who made it possible, my girlfriend and roommate for a good pit, and my dad for always being out there for me, even with a broken wrist he still comes out to support me and give me a hand whenever I need it. Also ESR suspension just redid my suspension and it was working great this weekend, I think we’re finally getting the bike dialed in. Finally, I couldn’t have done it without my other sponsors: T.O. Powersports, Amsoil, Scott USA, GPR, BPD, Dirt Digits, Enduro Engineering, Fasst Co, Goggle Wipes, and everyone else that makes this possible!

On a side note it was really nice to see Colton out there even after his injury. I can tell he really wants to be back on the bike and it was hard for him not to race this weekend. I totally understand where he’s at but I know he’s still young and will come back hungry for some more competition. Heal up quick Colton!