Napa BMX 5/25/2016

Anthony and Gianluca

Okay, so I'm going to have to start a blog for Gianluca. I really didn't think he'd be into this as much as he is. Bear with me a while!

Gianluca finished last last night in the Strider race, but I think he was the only two year old. He was third, so he did get a trophy, and that of course made him happy! The only downside is that one of these days he's not gonna get a trophy, and we'll see how that goes. Anthony seems to get it, and he's not upset when he doesn't get a trophy, which is great!

Anthony had his first legitimate crash last night. He landed sideways on the first tabletop and then had a pretty good face plant. I ran down to him, untangled him from his bike, and picked him up. He was a little dazed, but gathered himself together quickly (after pointing to a little blood on his knee), and headed back around to finish his lap. He got a little sideways the next two times on the tabletop, which is pretty textbook, but then got back into his normal rhythm.

We actually got a 5 and Under Novice race for the first time on a Wed night! Anthony, Naomi, and a new kid, Liam (5 yr. old from Vallejo, I think). There were only three so it was a total points race, and a battle for the biggest trophy. Naomi and Anthony have been close in the past, so I wasn't sure how this was gonna play out. 

Liam looked pretty fast in practice!

Anthony got an okay start in the first race, pulled ahead of Naomi by the first bowl, and then settled between the two to the finish. In the second race Anthony got a worse start, and came out of the first bowl just ahead of Naomi, and pretty well behind Liam. Second again. 

The third race was Anthon's best. He got a good start, and was able to come out of the first bowl just a few bike lengths behind Liam. Liam pulled away a little at the end, but Anthony finished much closer. I think he is starting to understand how important getting a good start is.

Another fun evening with the boys!

Alessandra was there too. She has a friend named Maddie that she loves to go exploring with on the grounds around the track.

Napa BMX 5/21/2016

We actually got two Saturday races in a row. I forgot that we had one on 5/14/until after I started this post. On 5/14 there weren't enough 5 and under to have their own class so Anthony had to race the 6 yr. old Intermediate class. He came in last (5th), and didn't  qualify for the main. But, he did great for a kid that just turned four! he was actually not too far behind the pack.

On 5/21 it felt like another light turnout (I think there was a bigger event at a nearby track), but we got three 5 and under Novices. Anthony, his buddy Colton, and a new kid from Danville (I think), Kaden. Kaden was a very fast 5 year old and the result was the same in all three races: Kaeden, Anthony, and Colton.

Anthony and Colton had a great time at the skate park after the races!

Napa BMX 5/11/2016

We've still only had four Saturday races since the beginning of 2015. It's been disappointing for Anthony since races are normally scheduled for every Saturday. Even though the rains tapered significantly after January it seems like the times that it does rain are the perfect times to cancel racing. I think that most of the rain that we've gotten in the last several weeks has come on Friday and Saturday. Last week it looked like we were going to be heading to the track, but then at the last minute the forecasted mist turned to some real rain just in time for them to call off the races.

Oh well! That's the way it goes.

We have been getting out a few times on Wednesday nights. Once or twice for practice only in March/April, and then starting on April 27th (2 weeks ago) the racing began. It ends up being a bit of a later night for us, as racing doesn't start until after 6:00 (just before 7:00 last night), but we've had take out In n Out at the track, so it's worked out pretty well.

The turnout for Wednesday night racing is probably well under 1/2 of Saturday's norm, and since there are much less little guys/gals the classes that are run can be pretty wonky. For example, two weeks ago Anthony was placed in the 7 yr. old Intermediate class. He finished last, fourth out of four, but he did great as always. The gap that they had on him at the end of the race was very close to the gap the the 5 and under Novices had on him just several months ago when he started. Not bad for a four year old!!

Last night the turnout was better, and to my surprise they actually had four 5 and under Novices. The other three were fast 5 yr. old semi regulars from out of the area. Anthony didn't get the best start, as always, but by the time they hit the back straight he was right behind the second and third place riders. The leader started to pull away at that point. He wasn't able to make a pass, but the three finished very close to each other.  Anthony finished a little bit farther behind in the second moto, and didn't advance to the main. He came off the track with a little smile and said "gimme a high five daddy, I won the last place."

He's a gem! And again, although the trophies have eluded him the last two outings, he's put in impressive and consistent performances. Yep, daddy is pretty proud.

And, it looks like I may have to start another blog....Gianluca Lupo Racing!!!

Our little tech geek can ride a bike too! He finished second in his first race, and was in a solid second in his second race until his mom left him hanging on the last whoop (there are a couple places that the little ones can't quite make it over yet). Erika helped a couple other riders (which was sweet, but didn't help our cause too much!), and then pushed him over the top. He actually would have been not far behind the winner ( a fast little 3 year old, presumably) otherwise. Gianluca now has two trophies. Anthony and Alessandra are getting jealous!

Hopefully we'll get a race in this Saturday!