October 4-5, 2008
LA CEIBA--HONDURAS: It was a two-day event that brought the whole family together. Local heroes, some of Honduras' most daring athletes, challenged the laws of nature with skill and flair. Racers lined up with clean uniforms and bikes, anxious to see how they would handle the muddy track. By the end of the first lap goggles were abandoned and riders were barely distinguishable.
Despite mud and flooding, riders took turns tight, jumps long and speeds high. Mothers held their breaths, watching as sons, husbands, nephews and brothers risk their lives for the thrill that is motocross.
A rider soars through the finish line with just a few more laps to go. In Honduras a rider may be the best in the country and not win anything more than bragging rights and his bike. Unlike the states, athletes here actually compete for the fun of it. They want to win, of course, but they're driven by the competition, not money.
In the U.S. a spectator would never be able to watch a Motocross event from so close. Yay for Honduras! I may not be able to go outside my apartment past dark, but I can stand 10 feet from huge pieces of machinery sailing through the sky. By the end of the day my legs, arms, neck and clothes were covered in mud kicked up by the bikes. It was so bad on Saturday that a racer, Angelo (who ended up winning first place in the pro division), offered me his washcloth to clean up a little.
One of my students, Juan, competed and won first place. He's the best in his category for all of Honduras and pretty much the bomb!
2 comments:
you look so cute with the short hair ... nice, qye bonita la Señorita !!1
i would have loved to be able to see that sport as close .. Lucky you !!
yay motocross.
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