An extensive training program during the winter period back home in Hyvinkaä, Finland brought my physical level on par with the new demands.

Come 2009 me and my mechanic Jukka Sjöholm moved to our base in Belgium where we started preparing the new Honda bikes and get used to the fuel injection machines.

My first race did not go too bad but a small practice crash in February meant a set-back for a couple of weeks.

A cracked shoulder blade slowed down the number of riding days on this new bike. It was only a silly mistake on a small practice track when I cased a double jump and the bike threw me off.

My shoulder blade muscles were sprained and it meant I could not do my riding for a couple of weeks.

In fact it destroyed my pre-season planning as I had 5 international races on my calendar that had to be canceled.

Those 5 included 2 Dutch and Belgian championship events and the Hawkstone international race.

That last one was a pity as it would be my first race on this track, the venue for round one of the 2009 World Championship tour.

THE FIRST GRAND PRIX

With just one race under my belt we traveled to England for the MX3 World Championship opener and I went home with mixed feelings.

The first race was not that good with an eleventh place score after a poor start and suffering from an overheated rear shock.

I could feel I was not in top shape yet. Where I could give a bit extra last year at the end of the heat I now had to settle my pace and was not able to pass other riders at the closing stages.

Heat number two was better with fourth pace but still we suffered from this suspension trouble and I just missed the podium.

From there on it was straight to Spain for some hard track training in the north on my way to Talavera de la Reina, venue for round two of the MX3 World Championship.

Doing my hard physical training I sustained a small problem with my Achilles heel which causes some pain while running so let’s say I haven’t reached my peak performance yet.

Like in England I was far from happy with my first start in Spain, and during the race it was frustrating to sit behind another rider for too many laps.

I did some uninspired laps and finished the opening heat in eight place and not where I wanted to be.

So I changed my gate and set myself for a better start in the second heat and held second place for a while behind Julien Vanni who had won the first 3 GP heats this year.

My pace was level with his and I had him in sight all the way.

All day I was having some stomach ache that bothered me but worst was landing in neutral gear after a jump so I had a small crash which threw me back several places.

Instead of a podium score or even better I finished fifth and was upset with myself.

I know I have the speed of the winner and I can do better starts and then I race with anyone in this class for victory.

With all the hard work so far it’s time to relax a couple of days as we stay in Spain for the next race in Cortelha, Portugal on the 2n and 3rd of May.

I can’t run with my Achilles heel problem and instead I will do a lot of cycling and find practice tracks to ride my Honda.

Time to focus and be ready and fresh for the next Grand Prix. It is a long season and holding third position in the Championship -while not riding at my best- is a promising thought.

This newsletter has been put together by mxbuddy@hotmail.com for Antti Pyrhönen