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JOEY SAVATGY
250 SX / MN.
IMAGE /MPG WORDS / KILPATRICK DESIGN / WILSON
>> Joey Savatgy came into his fifth year of Monster Energy Supercross as one of the odds-on title favorites in the stacked 250 East class. Anyone who followed the series last year would be familiar with the speed and consistency of the Georgia native; he battled tooth and nail with Cooper Webb all the way down to the wire in the 2016 250 West Championship, narrowly missing out on the #1 plate by merely one point. Savatgy has stayed under the radar during his offseason preparation down at Ricky Carmichael’s compound in Florida, aiming to come into this season more focused and ready than ever before. He has already proven that he can put together a full season on one of the most competitive stages in motorcycle racing, and he did so while battling one of the most talented riders of the upcoming generation. Savatgy was all business when he showed up at the U.S. Bank Arena in Minneapolis, sporting the #17 for the 2017 season -- two digits which harness a storied history of success in the 250 class. He backed up the expectations of its predecessors with the second fastest qualifying time throughout the day, putting him right where he expected to be for the first gate drop
of his season. Savatgy sped out of the gate in the very first heat race of the evening alongside his Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammate, Adam Cianciarulo. The two of them battled over prime real estate
in the first corner, but the #17 would ultimately grab the advantage heading into the opening rhythm section. He was able to benefit from a slight pileup in the second corner as Alex Martin jumped into the rear fender of Cianciarulo, therefore allowing Savatgy to immediately stretch a gap at the front
of the field. His exceptional start kept him out of the midpack carnage and he maintained a one second gap ahead of his teammate for the entirety of the seven lapper. Although Savatgy looked fairly smooth and comfortable on the track, he claimed in his post race interview that he had a lot to work on before the main event if he were to perform at his full potential -- a scary thought considering he still managed to secure the number one gate pick. He utilized the number one gate pick to near perfection as he shot out into the first corner in a battle for supremacy with Jordon Smith. Savatgy was forced to check up through the opening rhythm section and in turn was stood up by Dakota
Alix in the second corner. Alix and Colt Nichols collided at the end of the following rhythm section, allowing Savatgy to sneak through back into second position behind Smith. The TLD Red Bull KTM rider turned fast lap after fast lap, controlling the race from the front of the field for the first half of the contest. Savatgy dug deep and continued to run the same pace throughout as he forced Smith into miniscule mistakes that allowed him to close in on the lead. He was able to make a run on the North Carolina native in the second rhythm section just before the triple, stealing the inside line and forcing them both to single-double. The block pass allowed Zach Osborne to gain a handful of time in third place, bringing him directly into contention for the victory, but a mistake by the Virginian would let the Pro Circuit rider off the hook. Savatgy stayed smooth and composed for the second half of the race, concentrating on what lied ahead -- a checkered flag and a red plate heading into the final race at the historic Georgia Dome.
30 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 19, 2017