BALLARAT\u2019S Matt Sutherland has claimed first place in the Enduro motorcycle class of Mexico\u2019s Sonora Rally, his first ever multi-day navigation race.<\/p>\n
The off-road competition through the Sonora Desert saw the 34-year-old tiler ride crosscountry over five days with only roadbooks for navigation.<\/p>\n
Placing sixth overall, Sutherland completed the rally\u2019s \u201cgnarly\u201d five stages of terrain in 20 hours, 10 minutes and 40 seconds, having travelled at 130kms an hour.<\/p>\n
He was glad to make it to the finish line in one piece. Mentally exhausted, he had experienced faint roads, prickly cactus forests, hundreds of kilometres of huge sand dunes, rocky mountain passes and low-lying salt flats.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was very surprised and extremely happy with where I was considering this was my first navigation race,\u201d he said. \u201cI really wasn\u2019t sure what to expect, it was very intimidating reading the line-up and knowing of at least 10 guys who are renowned off-road racers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout the stages, Sutherland had a crash, lost his clutch, his bike overheated and a had few navigational errors, but his perseverance was fierce.<\/p>\n
\u201cDay two was wild. I limped across the line covered in thorns, blood and bruises. The sand dunes had taken everything I had that day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Comfortable in rocky terrain, day three was his time to shine and he made his push.<\/p>\n
\u201cI set a goal to finish top 15, but more importantly, just finish the race,\u201d Sutherland said. \u201cIt was good to see how I matched up with the pro riders so I\u2019m already looking forward to next year and seeing what I can do with some experience.\u201d<\/p>\n