Florida-native Alex Niederer , who is used to conditions around 37-feet above sea level . For this reason , many competitors arrived several days in advance to try and get themselves and their bikes acclimated .
The site experienced a torrential downpour during Friday ’ s tech inspection , but by the next morning , the 108 competitors were greeted with nothing but great traction , despite slightly high temperatures and storm clouds continuing to circle the event . The loop started in a rocky open field , then wound through the park into a pine forest that was reminiscent of more eastcoast terrain .
After being able to ride around and see how the bikes fared in the high elevation , many riders were realizing just how convenient the switch to fuelinjected machines made their competition prep . Vertigo ’ s Karl Davis Jr found that only a quarter-turn of his idle was needed , while Smage both adjusted the jetting and increased his rear sprocket from a 42 up to a 44 , although he admitted after the event that the bigger sprocket wasn ’ t necessary .
Gelabert , being used to riding
VOL . 6 ISSUE 9 - SEPTEMBER 2021 // PAGE 107