By Danny Brault
Photos by Simon Cudby

The Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series swung back to the west last weekend in Dallas, Texas and that meant the return of the West Lites battle between Andrew Short and Grant Langston and also Canadian Darcy Lange. After passing Mike Alessi to finish second in his heat race behind Short, things were looking promising for another top-10, or even a top five effort from Richmond Racing Team Green’s Lange. Unfortunately, a vicious case of arm pump kept Lange from riding to his full potential in the late stages of the main. We caught up with Lange to see how it felt to be back on the track and his feelings on making his return to the Canadian nationals.

RXC: Hey, Darcy, how are you doing?
Darcy Lange: Good.

What are you up to?
Me and Ian [Woods] are heading to the race shop to pick up a few parts.

So, how did it feel to be back on the bike racing this weekend?
It felt good, but I couldn’t frickin’ ride too good!

Well, checking the results, it looks like you rode well in your heat race and in the opening laps of the main event, but from there you faded back.
Yeah. Well, they had a pretty gnarly set of whoops and it was just eating me up every lap and I couldn’t hold on. It was pretty bad. I think I started around probably 12th or 13th and by about halfway I was up to sixth. Then I just started pumping up and riding defensively, and pretty much dropped anchor.

Do you think that was because you haven’t been racing?
I don’t know. Probably a lot do with that. I mean, I couldn’t even reach for my clutch it got so bad.

What have you been up to since the San Diego round?
I went home for a week after that, then came back down to California and started riding outdoors on the 450. Then the last week and a half, before Dallas, I started riding supercross. I wasn’t pumping up too much riding my practice bike, but it’s a little bit different than racing.

Yes, riding is definitely not racing.
Yeah. I think a lot of it has to do with I started going to the gym and changing my workout a little bit. I think I was working my forearms too much.

I don’t think a 13th is too too bad but, obviously, you would have liked to have finished better.
Oh yeah, no, 13th is pathetic. I mean, the speed was there but by the halfway mark my arms were toast.

So, how are you liking the 450?
Oh, it’s awesome.

You must be looking forward to lining up at the Canadian nationals?
Yep, for sure.

Do you think you’ll have something for, JSR?
I hope so. It’s been awhile since I’ve raced outdoors, but we’re going to do the Glen Helen prequel.

Where in California have you been riding?
For the most part, I’ve been riding at the Kawasaki test track, and then there’s a track called Cahuilla and Competitive Edge. And we spent a little time doing endurance testing with the 2007 Kawasakis.

What takes place in endurance testing?
It’s pretty much … they usually have four or five riders and two bikes, a 250F and 450F. You just go out … each rider goes out for 35 minutes and just go out and try and wreck the bike, pretty much.

Sounds fun. Well, good luck this weekend in Seattle, Darcy.
Thanks.