IMBA European Championships Rds 4&5
15th & 22nd August 2010

Hi All,

I've just returned home after an 11 day trip to Germany and Switzerland, at times it's been wetter than an otters pocket and at others over 30 degrees, here's how it went.
 
IMBA European Champs Round 4 Ohlenberg Germany
 
Arriving at the circuit on Friday afternoon, the weather was fine and bright, the track was looking good etc. Once again on Saturday the weather was all good and track prep by the German organisation was awesome, taking conditions into consideration Steve and myself set the bike up, tyre choice, suspension, and gearing just to name a few bits.

Sunday morning arrived and so did the rain, no panic, Steve and i adjusted things to suit.
 
Race One
After a good jump out of the gate, I was in around 5th position then a rider fell straight in front of me. I had to make some evasive action to miss him and dropped to around 10th. For the remainder of the race, I tried my hardest to gather some positions and could only manage 6th at the flag.
 
Race Two
Once again I had a decent start and another rider fell in front of me causing me to lose valuable positions, with the rain still falling heavy I manged to claw myself up to 3rd on the final lap but a crash on a big double dropped me to 6th once again.
 
Race Three
With conditions being a joke the meeting carried on as two Germans held the top two spots, puddles over 2 feet deep meant racing was out the question and survival was on the cards. I scored valuable points in moto 3 and managed a 6th position on the day in Germany.
 
The following week I spent in Germany, mainly drying out the truck, washing kit etc and stripping the bike down, making sure no water made it into the motor and electrics.

We travelled to Switzerland and arrived at the track on Saturday and it was scorchio a muggy 30 degrees. The track was amazing and I couldn't wait to race.
 
IMBA European Champs Round 5 Weinland Switzerland
 
Race One
 
Wanting to make up for last week, I grabbed a great start and into the lead, I put my head down and started to put some smooth laps together. I could see local pro and GP rider Marco Nicolet gaining around 1 second a lap on me, with 4 - 5 laps remaining he passed me and I watched his lines to try to match his speed etc.
 
Race Two
 
Again I got great start and lead the pack away, Nicolet passed me quickly in race 2 so I tried my hardest to stay with him but I had series leader and main title contender Frank Teitz hot on my heels, I kept my head and pulled a few seconds on Frank and crossed the line for a solid 2nd place.
 
Race Three
 
As the gate dropped for race 3 in was fellow Brit Clinton Barrs who hit the front, I gave chase and I had Marco Nicolet for company. Marco was giving me a hard time, all over me like a cheap suit and I did my best to keep him at bay, at times it got rough and I showed him I meant business. He finally passed me and we then both passed Barrs, Nicolet pulled a few seconds on me and I settled for another 2nd place.
 
I pulled back 20 points in the championship, with 1 round remaining and 180 points up for grabs I now trail Teitz by 26 points. It's all to play for with the European championship crown up for grabs, as always I'll be giving 110% and doing my very best.
 
A massive thanks to Steve, Dad, Sammy and Wendy for a great couple of weekends and team spirit was amazing.
 
Yours In Sport
 
Brad Oleary