Moto Tips | Start Like Vince Friese
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Vince Friese’s starting ability is one of his best traits. The MotoConcepts rider is known for perfectly-timed launches and lightning fast reflexes, things that seem put him at to the front of the pack no matter the class or event. We’ve asked him to break down the process a few times, but because it’s one thing he isn’t willing to share, we’ll point out what we’ve seen him do time after time.
Watch other motos to see if the starter has habit, like a preferred count or chosen spot that the 30-second card worker gets to when walking off the track.
Have a routine when you go to the line and stick to it every time. Friese is known for turning the front wheel, blipping the throttle, warming his hands on the exhaust, and stretching when he waits for the gate to drop. It’s a procedure that’s hated by some riders that get slotted next to him, but it ensures that he’s done the same thing as every successful time before. That’s not saying you need to bang the handlebars back and forth like Vince, but a habit will help keep you from wondering if you clicked into the proper gear.
Feather the clutch a bit and chirp the rear wheel. This might be a little advanced and could cause a lesser rider to run into the gate, but it’ll help you figure out where the precise release point is and lessens the abrupt motion of a clutch dump-throttle twist.
Sit up and stay toward the middle. This might be the most obvious thing that Friese does differently, and because he’s rarely hunched over the front of the bike, you can always spot him among the others on the line. When the gate does drop and the bike’s power is put to the ground, he maintains in a stable position that keeps the front wheel down and pointed straight ahead without behind jolted by the acceleration. And if he does need to get his weight forward to control a wheelie, he has much more room to work with.
Make releasing the clutch-getting on the throttle-shifting through the gears a seamless action. This is key for everyone, as any sort of jerky motion or sudden movement could cause you to let off during one of the most important moments of the race.
Hold your line. If everything has gone right to this point, you could be ahead of the competition by a few inches or a wheel as the pack funnels toward the first turn, so follow what you feel is the clearest path into and around the curve.
