Momentum matters in most motorsports, although few can claim to have such an association with it as motocross, where even minor mistakes with a landing are enough to cause a complete upset in race conditions. Various physical aspects are at play in the seemingly simple task of taking a jump, so here’s a look at the momentum-killing aspects and what it takes to overcome them.
The Momentum-Sapping Impact of Suspension
Motocross bikes need beefy shocks to soak up the hits and cope with the rough terrain inherent to the sport, and the top riders are able to manage this feature to make it work in their favour on most occasions. Unfortunately, as soon as a jump gets taken at too slow a speed, and a shorter-than-desired landing occurs, or a rider goes in with too much gusto and overshoots it into the flat, the suspension suddenly becomes the villain of the piece, sucking up momentum as it bottoms out and expending it unhelpfully afterwards.
Even the most seasoned motocross pros can misjudge a jump and suffer the effects of their bike’s suspension working against their attempts at speed. That’s why viewers need to be on the lookout for such errors. That’s especially true if you’re using a Canada sports betting site to place wagers on race outcomes, because odds on live bets might change in a flash if the frontrunner suddenly bottoms out and gets overtaken by the rest of the pack.
The Ripple Effect of Momentum Loss
A bad landing that results in lost momentum isn’t a momentary thing. Motocross riders need momentum to carry themselves smoothly into the next corner or course section, and if that dissipates, then the battle to bring the engine back into the right powerband to make positive progress is on again, at a time when rivals will already be in that sweet spot and streaking ahead.
Likewise, it leads to additional wear and tear on components like the clutch, which creates additional potential points of mechanical failure. That element of uncertainty, and the psychological damage that it does to riders who suffer the indignity of a messy landing, can be enough to completely write off a favourite from a chance of a podium finish that looked a sure thing just seconds earlier.
The Mitigating Factors
Avoiding a bad landing relies on getting a few things right, and that begins before the jump arrives. Getting the right speed and sticking to it consistently is a must, as changing your mind or chopping the throttle on the ramp ruins your trajectory and usually causes a front-end nose-dive.
Once you’re mid-air, you want to match the angle of the bike to the angle of the landing ramp. It’s an obvious thing to say, but it has to be drilled into riders as they learn the ropes. Also, you need to get back on the throttle right before you touch down. Spinning the rear wheel gymnastically pulls the bike forward through the impact, preventing the suspension from binding up and stopping your forward drive.
A lot of practice goes into avoiding bad landings, and even the best can forget their training. However, in a sport where momentum matters a lot, there’s every reason to minimise the likelihood of falling short or overshooting.
