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Suzuki City’s Matt Goerke hasn’t tried to hide the fact that he needed to improve his starts. In fact, last week in an interview he did with Racer X Online, Goerke said, “It’s been the same thing all year; I’ve got to work on my starts. I have to figure out something, because if I get a start I definitely think I can run up there.”
Well somehow, even after getting a bad jump out of the gate, the Suzuki City rider managed to get into the lead in the first heat of the night in New Orleans, finally putting the #34 up front. Unfortunately a mistake cost him the lead, but he did manage to hold on for third. His teammate, Steven Clarke, unfortunately got a bad jump in the heat, forcing him to go to the dreaded Last Chance Qualifier. Fortunately Clarke led from wire-to-wire, ensuring him a spot in the 20-rider field.
In the main event the teammates started 11th and 12th, but Clarke crashed on lap two and fell back to last place. Goerke experienced a few bobbles as well, but both riders charged till the checkered flag and finished 9th and 10th, respectively.
Matt Goerke:
The track was pretty cool, kind of one-lined. I felt like I rode really good in the main. In the heat race I got a bad jump, but then I hugged the inside and came out third. I moved into the lead, but I rode cautious because I’m afraid to fall and then have to go the LCQ. In the main I got a bad start, but I start riding awesome. I just pinned it. I passed a lot of fast guys. I even passed [Christophe] Pourcel before I fell, but then I tipped over two turns later when I was trying to pass Wil Hahn—I fell over in the sand. So I felt like I rode pretty good finally, so I’m pretty pumped for this weekend.
Steven Clarke, Suzuki City RM-Z250, #77
10th Place – New Orleans Supercross
8th Place (Tied) - Overall Championship Points Standings
Matt Goerke, Suzuki City RM-Z250, #34
9th Place – New Orleans Supercross
10th Place - Overall Championship Points Standings |
