News 5 Jun 2012

Step up to the pro ranks tough as expected for Willis

After dominating the MXD (formerly Under 19s) Class both outdoors and in supercross last year, Raceline Pirelli Suzuki's Errol Willis made the jump to the MX2 Class for 2012 and admits it is tough in the pro ranks.

Errol Willis is having a tough time as expected in his rookie MX2 year. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.au.

After dominating the MXD (formerly Under 19s) Class in both outdoors and supercross last year, Raceline Pirelli Suzuki’s Errol Willis made the jump to the MX2 Class for 2012 and admits it is tough in the pro ranks.

The 18-year-old started his 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals campaign with a promising string of results, but the Wanneroo and Murray Bridge rounds proved tougher for the determined rider.

“Stepping up from the MXD Class and into the MX2 Class I had a lot of confidence coming off last year, but I knew I was in for a big step,” said Willis. “It’s proved to be exactly what I thought it was going to be, it’s very tough, every weekend there is somebody there.

“They don’t slow their pace at all, it’s those sprint laps every lap for the whole 30-minute moto and more if they had to do it.

“I’ve had a couple of good races here and there, but not the consistency that I’m chasing and not the results that I want overall yet.”

Willis admits riding the sand does not suit his style all that much and looks forward to upcoming rounds on a clay base.

“We’ve done a bit of sand riding so far, which hasn’t suited me that much,” he added. “But I’m looking forward to the next couple of rounds coming into the clay.

“It’s been overall good and I’ve been progressing so far, getting better through the 30-minute motos and in the sprint races aswell.”

Willis currently sits 10th overall in the MX2 Class standings after five rounds of racing.

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