Page 38 - Issue34

JOSH HANSEN
250 SX / AZ
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / LANNAN DESIGN / WILSON
>> Josh Hansen was born to race motorcycles, especially on a Su- percross track. Josh is one of the most naturally talented riders on a motorcycle and it’s clear to see every time he’s on the track. In his 15 years of racing, Josh has won many races in over half of the seasons he has competed in. There are only a handful of riders who can claim they are a continuous threat for wins over that many years. Josh now puts dirtbikes second place in his life because of his daughter as many top riders have. Fortunately, he is still as fast as ever and looks to be a real threat for top five finishes aboard his new Husqvarna ride this season. He is looking faster each week as he gets his bike dialed in and it was no different on Saturday in Arizona. When the racing began, Josh didn’t get the best start in his heat but was working his way up quickly. By lap two, he had made it into qualifying position and was moving forward. Hansen continued to put down fast laps as he used his technical skills to make up every millisecond he could through the difficult rhythm sec- tions. Josh would climb all the way to 5th place by the time the check- ers flew. Josh has been struggling with starts this year and when the Main Event started in Glendale, it was no different. Josh knew he had
to make up as much time as he could on the first lap and he did exactly that, making his way up to 8th before the green flag. Josh rode a rela- tively quiet race after that but was able to make the move into 7th place around the halfway point. His Husky was working great as he continued to put down fast laps. He began to feel pressure from a Geico Honda but focused on the track in front of him. Josh rode loose and kept his composure all the way to the finish line where he would take 7th place, his best finish of the season.
38 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 29, 2017