Mastering Starts

Mastering Starts 

by Daniel Blair

We’ve all heard it, probably a hundred times: “Starts are everything.” It’s true. A good start can make all the difference in your race, and a bad one can leave you in the middle of a mess. The math is simple: better starts lead to better results. So, let’s talk about how to make your starts great, and how to know what works best for you.

Why Starts Matter

Imagine if we could track every rider’s start in every race, and see exactly how they did after the first lap. It would be clear: the riders who get out front early often do better. But when you start at the back, it’s a lot harder to make up for it. So, if you focus on getting a good start, you’ll have a much better chance of doing well in the race.

I learned a lot about starts while managing the KTM Orange Brigade team over the past two years. I watched a lot of races, and something stood out: strategy is super important at the start, especially for older riders. They know exactly where to pick their gate and how to get the best start. But for younger riders, especially in the mini bike years, I saw a lot of people just picking a gate without much thought. They didn’t have a plan, and they didn’t really know what kind of start suited them best.

Getting to Know Your Start Style

The first thing you need to figure out is who you are as a starter. Do you like the inside line, where you can take a shorter path but might get crowded? Or do you prefer the outside, where you can carry more speed but might have to cut across the track more?

• Inside Line: The inside can give you a safer, faster start because it’s a shorter path to the first corner. But it’s more physical—you might be bumping into other riders and have to make quick moves.
• Outside Line: The outside gives you more room to move and carry more speed into the first turn, but it’s riskier. You’ll have to cut across the track and might find yourself dealing with other riders trying to get in your way.

Take some time to think about what kind of start feels right to you. That’s the first step to understanding your own strategy.

Gate Choices: Who Picks Your Gate?

When you’re getting ready to race, the gate pick is crucial. Your gate pick can affect your start, so it’s important to know how to choose the best spot for you. It’s not just about picking a random gate—it’s about finding one where you feel confident and comfortable.

When I worked with the KTM riders, I would help them pick the best gates. For each rider, I knew which gates worked well for them based on their riding style. I would give them three options, but it was always up to the rider to make the final choice. Why? Because the rider needs to feel like they own the decision. That way, no matter how the start goes, they know it was their choice, and they can learn from it.

The Direct Line: Inside vs. Outside

Let’s talk about the direct line to the first turn. If you’re looking at the track from behind the gate, the direct line is the shortest path to the first corner. Riders have different opinions on where they like to start.

• Inside (Closer to the direct line): If you like the inside, you’ll get a quicker path to the first turn. But, it’s going to be more physical, with more riders in the way. If you like to be in control and don’t mind bumping a little, the inside could work for you.
• Outside (Farther from the direct line): If you’re an outside rider, you get more space to carry speed into the first turn, but it’s riskier. You’ll have to cross the track and deal with higher speeds, but you won’t be trapped by other riders.

Learning from Pro Riders

To help you understand more about the inside vs. outside decision, let’s look at some pros:

• Ricky Carmichael (one of the greatest motocross riders) liked to be on the inside, where he could control the start and play defense.
• Buddy Antonez (a five-time arena cross champion) also preferred the inside, where he could get a good, safe start and then race his way to the front.
• Mike Alessi liked the outside, where he could start with more speed and pass other riders on the way to the first turn.
• Eli Tomac started using the outside more to avoid fighting with the top riders. He liked the space and the speed, and it worked for him.

You don’t have to follow exactly what the pros do, but their choices show that everyone has their own style. Find out which one works best for you!

Tricks and Techniques for Better Starts

There are lots of little tricks that can help improve your start. The best riders are always experimenting and learning new ways to get better. Here are a few things to try:

1. Rolling Start: Some riders like to do a rolling start, where they don’t stop completely before the gate drops. This can be tricky, but if you get it right, it can give you a quick jump.
2. Gate Focus: When you’re lined up behind the gate, where do you look? Some riders focus on the pin (the part of the gate that holds it up), while others look just a few feet ahead. Try all these options and see what works best for you.
3. Foot Placement: Some riders start with their feet down for better balance, while others keep their feet up to shift faster. It’s important to find what works for you.
4. Gearing: Your bike’s gearing (how the gears are set up) can also affect your start. A bigger sprocket (like a 52-tooth) might help you get off the line faster, but it’s important to balance your gearing so you don’t lose speed later in the race.

Confidence is Key

At the end of the day, starts are mental as much as they are physical. If you doubt yourself or feel unsure about your gate, you’re more likely to get a bad start. But if you believe in yourself, if you know you’ve got this, you have a better chance of getting off the line strong. Confidence is key, and it’s something you can work on every time you practice.

Conclusion

Remember, the start is one of the most important parts of the race. By experimenting with different techniques, finding your style, and building your confidence, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. Keep working with your coaches, try out new strategies, and most importantly, own your start. When you do, you’ll be out front and ready to race to the finish!