Page 74 - Issue34

COLE MARTINEZ
250 SX / AZ
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / HARNISFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Cole Martinez has quietly been one of the most consistent non- factory riders in the 250 class over the past few years. Martinez seems to always be fighting right outside that top ten and he very rarely misses the main event. He has not had the greatest start to 2017 with twelfth as his best finish, but this weekend’s race was in his home state of Arizona so he was anticipating some of those home- town vibes to get him going.
After a stellar tenth overall performance in the qualifying practice ses- sion, Martinez was all set for the night show. He got out to an average start in the heat race coming out of the opening lap in seventh. He methodically inched his way forward during the quick, six-minute race and passed Zac Commans on the final lap to finish in fourth place. The stage was set for a solid main event.
Martinez did not get the best of starts in the main event finding him- self buried in tenth place after one. He somehow managed to stay steady in the chaotic and unpredictable 250 class and maintain that position for the entire race. Staying in the same position in the middle of the field is a huge accomplishment within itself due all the drama that unfolds during a main event but it also meant Martinez’s first
top ten of the year, his first since San Diego of last year. He pieced together the solid performance in front of his hometown crowd and will look to keep that momentum going heading into Oakland next Saturday.
74 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 29, 2017