Super Bowl and Supercross: A Lesson in Momentum

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Someone once told me that I could never write an article comparing the similarities of football and motorcycle racing.  But guess what?  I’m about to do it.  Howbow dah?! (sorry, I’m so sorry)

This past weekend provided two separate nights of sports action: Supercross from Oakland, CA on Saturday, and Super Bowl LI on Sunday.  Benefiting the loving fans filling the stadiums or watching from home, both events provided tense battles that led to epic comebacks.

For Supercross, it was Eli Tomac who put in a hard-charge from 8th place after the first lap to eventually pass Mr. Consistent, Ryan Dungey, before finishing with his second win in a row.

For the Super Bowl, it was the hunk in New England who clawed his way back from what appeared to be a pending embarrassment.

So other than winning, what did these two events have in common?  The answer, momentum.

In Oakland, the Dirt Wurx crew worked their asses off to provide the safest and most rideable track, but an unseasonably wet January in California has loomed over the entire series thus far, giving us our first taste of a (somewhat) wet race.

ruts

As the night show progressed, the track continued to deteriorate with every passing lap.  Massive ruts developed, and corners pushed out, keeping the riders on their toes as they were forced to change their lines throughout the race.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejBF4Dc4JRw]

For most riders, they spent the night fighting the track.  But, Eli Tomac found his rhythm, and saw a chance to fight for a win instead.  Eli consistently put in solid, fast laps; passing every rider he set his sights on.  He even mastered a super-fast line in one rhythm section, in which he tripled in and quadrupled out, only touching the ground once.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA_6QDW4Vdo]

The following night, it was Tom Brady and the Patriots who found themselves in an underdog situation going into the second half.  I’ll admit, the Patriots’ facial expressions from the sidelines looked as though they had already given up before halftime.  However, they continued to fight, and used every possible chance to gain yardage, moving down the field to return from a record-setting points deficit…and still win the Super Bowl without leading the game for a single second.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGNEpEaN2FM]

Maybe Lady Gaga’s halftime show really was as magical in person as it was on TV.

The Patriots and Eli Tomac all showed great physical strength in the respective competitions, but we also witnessed their capacity for mental strength.  It takes an incredible amount of drive and determination to push as hard as these guys did, especially coming from so far behind.

For the Patriots, it was watching the points gap get smaller and smaller that gave them the motivation to keep fighting.  And Tomac, it was his mechanic’s pit board showing his time gap between himself and Ryan Dungey reducing drastically every lap that kept his throttle pinned.

These performances were excellent lessons in how motivation and determination can lead to functional momentum.  And it’s that momentum that will propel you to success.  Take this lesson and use it to focus on your own goals, find your momentum, and get shit done.  Cadbury out.

Cadbury Pringlebatch is the Lead Supercross Writer and Investment Analyst for The SoBros Network, but knows a little bit about everything. Known for frequenting Nashville YMCA steam rooms, he’s a firm believer that winning football is produced by moving the chains, and became a SoBro after mistaking thePower Hour Podcast for an AA meeting. Follow on Twitter:@SoBroCadbury

Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork

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