Cycle News

VOL. 50 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 12, 2013 nder In San Diego, Millsaps grabbed another holeshot and jumped out into the early lead. At first, Millsaps was pressured by Reed but he wouldn't give in. When Reed went down, Justin Barcia took over and tried his best to force the Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki rider into a mistake, but his plan failed. Millsaps held on to the end. "I knew from the mechanics cheering that it was Barcia behind me," said Millsaps. "I was just trying to ride my own race and do the best I could. If Barcia was going to pass me then I was going to try to get him back. "There at the end, I didn't know what lap we were on until I saw my Davi Millsaps continues to tear it up on the track and with his home race – Atlanta - just around the corner his competition has real reason to be nervous. mechanic give me three fingers I couldn't see the pit board. Once I saw that, I decided I would push a little harder the last three laps and try to get a little cushion so I would feel a bit more comfortable at the end." Even with the pressure on, Millsaps has learned how to temper his anxiety and he kept a steady head and a steady pace. "I felt like I kept the same pace all race, you know the track got slicker and a little more technical and the lappers are obviously going to slow down, so you just have to be smart and weave your way through it." Most of the riders agreed that the San Diego course was a tricky one, and that each track seems to be even slicker than the one before. "Like BamBam [Barcia] keeps saying to me, he comes up to me every week and says he doesn't know how these tracks can get any slicker," said Millsaps. "Then the next weekend it's even slicker. This track was probably the slickest one so far, Phoenix was tacky compared to this. I don't know what they're doing, but they need to put some more traction into these tracks." The Georgia rider admits that having a family now has settled him down a bit and perhaps made him acquire the virtue of patience. For sure, he has a dif- P61 ferent mindset than the Millsaps of old. "I'm just taking it one race at a time, there are 11 races left and there's a lot of racing to go, so if I can keep on being consistent and stay up front and put myself in a good position then I think we'll be all right." And like Villopoto, Millsaps has the backing of a strong team. "The bottom line is I love my bike, I love my team and I feel very comfortable right now," said Millsaps. "Having such a great off-season and coming into this year prepared has made the biggest difference. I've worked really hard this season, and I have a great team and a great support group behind me. Those guys are pushing me and pushing me every day on the practice track and at the races. Not only do I have to support myself, but I have a family to provide for, too, so that gives me some motivation. I got to do the best I can and put my whole heart into it to make sure my son benefits from it." When asked if the idea of a championship ever creeps into his thoughts, Millsaps gives the same stock answer as most of the top riders: "No, my thoughts are on Dallas, and then Atlanta and then whatever race is next." No matter what he's thinking, a championship is looking within reach. CN

• Cover