RCH RACING'S BROC TICKLE REBOUNDS AT ANAHEIM 3
February 3, 2014
Anaheim, CA (February 3, 2014) - With injuries sustained at the last round in Oakland grounding half the RCH Soaring Eagle Supercross Team, things were looking sketchy going into round 5 of the 2014 season. However Broc Tickle fought through his injuries and made the main event at "the home of Supercross" -Angels Stadium in Anaheim for A3.
It was going to be a "game time decision" to see if Tickle could come back from concussion-like symptoms and sore ribs at A2 two weeks ago and a jammed wrist that kept him out of the main in Oakland last week. Despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders, Tickle turned in a gritty performance after not being able to practice all week. "I sprained my left wrist and my pointer finger last week," says the #20 rider.
After riding a little tentatively in the first qualifying session, Tickle manned up and qualified in 8th ahead of eight-time Anaheim winner Chad Reed. The speed he found in afternoon qualifying carried over into the evening racing. Tickle started second just behind Ken Roczen in heat #1. He ran surprisingly strong the throughout the heat race, but got nipped at the line after an epic battle with Eli Tomac. This meant Tickle had to ride the semi instead of transferring straight to the main. "My heat started out well with a 2nd place start, but I was struggling in the whoops and it cost me," said Broc.
Tickle grabbed another great start in the semi. He was third off the line behind holeshot artist Mike Alessi and then quickly moved into second. Justin Barcia came out of nowhere to first, but Broc hung tough, passed Alessi for second, and put in a charge after Barcia in a truly gritty exhibition of toughness. Although he couldn't catch Barcia, Broc showed he has the speed to run with the best in the business even when he is riding hurt. "I was confident in my start from the heat and did the same in the semi. I felt I rode well to qualify for the main out of the semi."
In the main event, Broc was unlucky 13th at the start after getting squeezed out in the short starting straight. He moved up to 12th by third lap, then slipped back to 13th six laps in. Then back up into 12th with nine laps to go and with seven laps let, he moved up to 11th. Unfortunately not being able to ride for nearly two weeks took its toll and Broc didn't have enough left in the tank to get past ageless Ivan Tedesco to crack the top 10. "I knew today was going be tough because I wasn't 100%," said Broc after his valiant effort. "My shoulder, ribs and finger were getting weaker all night… I was definitely feeling it in the main."
"I'm not happy with it, but glad I'm getting healthier so I can regain the confidence I had the first two rounds, added Tickle. "I wanted to get back out racing and start building momentum to be where I was the first two rounds."
Teammate Josh Hill says he is hoping to be cleared to ride by the next round in San Diego, despite getting his wings clipped with a broken collarbone in Oakland. "I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone," joked the affable Oregonian. "I was bummed I had to sit out the third Anaheim," Hill added more seriously. "I had a surgery to repair my broken collarbone this week, and I'm amazed with the pace of my recovery. I'm going to take it day by day, but I expect to be back on the gate much sooner than we all anticipated. This is what we all love… It hurts not being out there. Nothing to do but keep making strides."
With all the action on the track, it can be easy to overlook what RCH Soaring Eagle has going leading up to the races. First the team went out to legendary motorcycle dealer Malcolm Smith's store for and autograph signing session on Friday night. Starting on Saturday morning, things hopping in the RCH Soaring Eagle pits. How about Soaring Eagle trip to the casino winners? Each week someone checking in at the RCH Soariing Eagle pit will find themselves winging their way to Minnesota for a 3 night/4 day all-expenses paid getaway to Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. Last week's winner went one better when the winner gave the trip to his sister and new brother-in-law for their honeymoon.
You never know what is going to be happening in the RCH Soaring Eagle pits, but you better swing by the pit when SX is in town, because it is always big! Even Ron Burgundy was lingering in the RCH pit reminding people to "keep it classy in San Diego next week," (okay so he was a cardboard cut-out rather than Will Farrell himself).
RCH Racing Soaring Eagle team heads to America's Finest City, San Diego for Round 6 on February 8. From the Suzuki Holeshot Experience to the team autograph signing at 3pm, the RCH Racing Soaring Eagle pit is the place to be at Qualcomm Stadium for Military Appreciation Night.
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About RCH Racing Soaring Eagle:
RCH Racing is in its second season of the partnership between Ricky Carmichael and Carey Hart. Ricky Carmichael merged his Suzuki relationship and technical development with the established five year marketing giant of Hart & Huntington Racing in 2013. The RCH Racing Soaring Eagle Team continues its partnerships with Suzuki, Fox, Dodge, Sycuan Casino, Yoshimura and Bel Ray. stay up to date on all RCH Racing Soaring Eagle news, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @RCHRacing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hartandhuntington.
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