Kawasaki's Max Whale secured the first win of his American Flat Track career at the opening round of the AFT Singles at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida on Friday.
The Queensland rider established himself as the race favourite heading into the Main Event for Volusia Half-Mile I, but he had to work for it after getting a less-than-perfect start. Max Whale was forced to muscle his way past some of the sport’s most experienced riders, which he accomplished with seeming ease while still early in the race.
Whale never relinquished the lead once he had seized it. However, he still felt the pressure applied from close behind throughout, only eeking out a small gap in the contest’s final stages. Prior to his late escape, the battle for the win was a six-rider affair, with three former premier class standouts all looking to unlock a way past Whale and the win.
“I don’t think I could have got any better of a start to the year than this,” Max Whale said after the race. “I’m pumped, I can’t believe it. I had a bit of an ordinary start and came from about fourth or fifth. It felt like that race went forever! I could just feel the boys breathing down my neck the whole time. I just tried to keep smooth, consistent laps. I knew if I made one mistake, I would be buried in the pack.”
Max Whale couldn’t repeat his performance from Friday and finished eighth at Round 2 on Saturday, the Volusia Half-Mile II.