Photo credit: Ethara Live
SR75 SUZUKI headed to the AX World Tour finale in Abu Dhabi with a no pressure mindset for Thomas as he had not raced since the previous round in Manchester back in March where ‘TR6’ had taken an awesome podium in P3 to stay in contention for the championship headed into the finale…. With only 10 points separating the top 4 we know from our experience in Arenacross through the years that literally anything can happen.
Our fantastic RM-Z SR race bike was uncrated and in our pit area within the incredible Etihad Arena ready for final ‘race check’ rebuild which our man Dean dealt with to get TR all set and comfortable.
The amazing venue was buzzing on Fridays build up day with teams busy building bikes while the AX Track and organising crew finished the track and prepared for potentially the most epic show Yas Island Abu Dhabi had ever seen….
Race day….
Our programme for finals day runs like this.
Pro Free training (untimed) is first out on the superb track with the pro racers split into group 1 and group 2.
Timed Qualifying sees each group on track two times and the qualifying time of each racer is determined by the riders best times from each of their sessions as an average.
Thomas as always is smooth and calculating on track and during his first untimed session TR was testing lines and beginning to look great out on track…. While going for a triple triple to inside test lines he unfortunately came up just a fraction short on an unforgiving landing to the inside of the turn and took a massive crash which would have seen many racers call it a day…. The plan for the day immediately changed as we had to make sure Thomas and the race bike were in as good a shape as possible going into timed qualification. Dean was awesome in the pit to organise the race bike which turned out to have very little damage considering the ferocity of the crash. Thomas was understandably feeling ‘secondhand’ as he gathered himself and mentally prepared for the new challenge of the day.
Quali 1 and TR toughed it out to take 3rd best time in his group while feeling out where his body was.
Quali 2 and the tough luck kept rolling as another rider destroyed the tough blocks on the side of the track exiting the finish corner just as TR approached while on a hot lap. Unable to see the blocks in the track he hit them and took another big hit to his body.
P3 in this session was more than we expected and Thomas was showing true grit.
THE NIGHT SHOW.
The AX World Tour crew really put on an epic opening show for the thousands of Abu Dhabi fans as they went nuts and ‘got loud’ for the FMX and Pro Rider intros.
The pit area was full of nerves and tension as with the championship on the line the top 4 guys including Thomas who was only one point off the overall championship podium and 10 points off the lead going into the race meant the atmosphere was getting real…
With only ten places up for grabs to directly transfer to the main event from the racers two scores over their two12 lap Sprint Heats there really is no room for error.
Thomas was quietly preparing and dealing with the effects of the morning sessions with his usual professional attitude. This guy knows how to use his vast experience as he is the most successful Arenacross racer in its 101 race event, 12 year history.
Heat 1
TR took an uncharacteristic start in the heat as he spun up while leaving the gate to put him on the back foot coming into the first turn….. Being aware of everything happening on track is the key and Thomas read the situation coming into turn 1 as a rider on the inside caused some carnage allowing TR to find a gap and come out in 2nd position on lap 1. Thomas quickly moved to the front and went about his own race managing himself and his pace to come to the chequers in a fantastic second place behind championship leader Dean Wilson.
Heat 2
We needed another solid heat race and in heat 2 Thomas took a better start to put himself within sight of the front but buried mid pack. Without taking risk he worked through the heat race as the track was becoming more technical and slippery meaning any over riding could result in disaster. TR took a solid 4th in the heat which qualified him 3rd overall gate pick behind Dean Wilson and Cedric Souberas in a direct transfer to the championship final 16 lap main event.
Recovery and management were the keys as we prepared for the main. Dean smashed the bike preparation and Thomas focussed on everything he needed to try to do to win his fourth AX Title which would include trying to get back to his best with one of his trademark starts….
THE FINAL
The arena erupted into a frenzy as the main event gate dropped and there he was….. TR6 pulling an absolutely insane holeshot showing just how tough and full of class this guy really is. This was unreal, leading the race with the championship leader hot on his heals and Thomas overall podium rivals further back in the back Thomas had taken control of his destiny to give himself the best shot at the title or a place on the AX World Tour podium. From near disaster to leading the Final this was stunning…. Thomas relinquished the lead to Wilson and took good pace in the early laps to check lines and try to keep the pressure on the leader while trying to build a gap to his rivals behind…. We could not believe what we were witnessing as TR had dug deep into his reserves to put this kind of performance on against all the odds of our day but this being AX we know to expect the unexpected…. Just when we thought this might go our way there was a red flag crash situation with riders down and blocking the track…. Safety of course is priority so the devastation of having to restart the main event after TR had laid so much on the line meant a quick mental reset and back to the gate….
The second start did not go well and with Thomas feeling the effects of the day he rode a really smart final which seen more insane happenings as championships leader and favourite to take the title Wilson took a massive crash in the same rhythm section to Thomas’ earlier incident. TR settled in and put down 16 more laps to take the checkered flag with an incredibly gutsy and hard fought performance moving into an absolutely brilliant third overall in the Arenacross World Tour Championship. Unreal and bittersweet emotions after the race as the potential for the title was right there within grasp in the red flagged first main event and Thomas knew that was his opportunity but we had absolute jubilation as it sank in that we had advanced onto the championship overall podium with a massive effort from all involved here at SR75 SUZUKI.
Thomas Ramette #TR6
“Today was a tough day. Maybe one of my toughest days in my career. I knew it would be tough as it has been a while since my last race but I know if I give my best my team are always happy. Today and tonight I gave everything I had for this podium and as always my bike was amazing and to once again be on the podium is something I dreamt of leading up to this race. Thanks to Dean for helping with everything on the bike at this great race and thanks to Geoff and everyone involved in SR75 Suzuki and Arenacross World Tour for all these amazing memories.”
Geoff Walker, Team Owner
“Well that was wild…. What a day, what a night. Thomas was incredible as I thought our day was over as I witnessed him cartwheel onto the track. The guy never gave in and to show the true SR75 spirit and nail that holeshot in the main event was insane. That was mental and physical toughness on show out there and I am over the moon to see Thomas grab that P3 overall championship podium from the diversity we have faced during this day and night. Congratulations to Adrian Escoffier for winning the championship with a class performance.
The Suzuki RM-Z was unreal as always and a massive thanks to Dean for being here with us for this one. The man is SR75 Family to the core and worked hard for this result.
Thanks to Suzuki GB for always supporting our team and thanks to ALL our team partners and close support network without whom we could not do what we do.
Finally a big thanks to everyone at Arenacross World Tour as this was a groundbreaking event and clearly a massive organisational undertaking. Amazing work from a great group of people.”
Action photos credit: Ethara Live
