It couldn’t have been set up better. The two greatest riders of the past decade on probably the best track of the decade in a quickdraw Mexican standoff.
What a track it is. This year some corners have been reinforced and some berms built up but the heart remains pure – it’s as rough as your nan’s bunions. The Black Snake is a three minute assault on body and bike that will constrict thighs and forearms and happily gobble up anyone who isn’t throwing the front end in fully committed.
This was probably the slowest and busiest trackwalk of the year. Not only is there so much to look at on this track, every root and rock could be so important. Whether you’re fighting for the number one plate or not, any points you pick up here could make a difference. Yes, first and third are separated by only 77 points, but 10th and 42nd are only 200 apart – it could all change in a heartbeat.
