Disappointing start to MX race for Jardine

Edenvale’s Toni Jardine is determined to excel at the second round of the Monster Energy TRP Distributors National MX race.

The first round of this motor-cross race was hosted in Port Elizabeth, at the Rover Motorcycle Club over the last weekend of February.

Toni competed against eight other female racers at the event in tough, sandy conditions even though the tracks were well prepared.

While taking part in the MX 2 practice, Toni injured herself on the table top and damaged her motorcycle’s handlebars. Despite this setback, she obtained the third fastest time, allowing her to have the third pick of the starting gates for the heats to come.

In the MX 2 class, Toni only completed half of the first heat, as her coach suggested she save her energy for the women’s race. In heat one of the women’s class, Toni achieved second position after a bad start and the fatigue and injury of her first practice took its toll on her.

She did not take part in the second heat of the MX 2 class as she was saving her energy for the second heat of the women’s class and because the track was too rough.

In the second heat of the women’s class, Toni had a better start than the previous heat. She and Zambia’s Leah Heygate battled it out for second place. However, due to a mistake that saw Toni on the floor, Toni lost a lot of time.

Toni said she could not get into a rhythm and felt like she was fighting the bike the whole of the second heat, and that although she has been battling with her starts, she knows she has good speed. “I will be back at round two in full force and ready to fight.”

Toni has decided to compete in the MX 2 and the women’s class’s for 2016 in an attempt to better herself.