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JORDON SMITH
250 SX / MN.
IMAGE /MPG WORDS / KILPATRICK DESIGN / WILSON
>> It was a big offseason for Jordon Smith -- the North Carolina native’s third year in the 250 class looks as though it will shape up to be a massive turning point in his career, one way or another. Smith penned a con- tract with the TLD Red Bull KTM team for the new season, leaving behind the Geico Honda squad that has brought him through the professional ranks thus far. Most fans and industry insiders alike are unsure of what to expect from Smith; his two seasons on the big stage have produced lots of ups and downs, lots of flashes of brilliance as well as showings of mediocrity in relation to the high expectations of a factory supported rider. He has been grinding away at Millsaps Training Facility in order to put himself in the right position heading into the new season and finally grab the victory that has eluded him thus far in his career. Smith will absorb
a great deal of confidence from the success of the team as well as his teammate and fellow statesmen, Shane McElrath, on the opposite coast at the beginning of the year. He was able to borrow a little bit of that momentum as action kicked underway in Minnesota, clocking the seventh fastest time heading into the night show. Smith shot out to a decent start in the second heat race as he settled into fifth position when the first lap of action was said and done. He found himself behind his MTF training partner and fellow KTM rider, Dakota Alix. The two of them battled for position as Smith carved the track looking for new lines, eventually finding a passing opportunity after the whoops section heading back towards the start straight. Smith began to eat away at the gap to Jesse Wentland, but made a costly mistake that would send him back into the battle for the final transfer position. From that point forward, Smith was engulfed in an intense melee with the likes of Cameron McAdoo, Benny Bloss, and Alix. He was able to do just enough to make it straight into the main, barely besting his MTF partner over the line in an incredibly tight battle for the final transfer position. Smith pulled a stellar start in the main event as he beat the pack to the middle of the first corner, staying level-headed on the flat, slippery surface in order to escape into the first rhythm section with the lead. He benefited from a bit of a traffic jam behind him that held the field up before the triple, but Pro Circuit Kawa- saki’s Joey Savatgy was still able to battle his way into second place very early on. Smith was able to keep his championship rival at bay for the first half of the moto, clocking incredibly fast and consistent lap times
in order to hold onto the lead. But, as the midway point of the race began to close in, Savatgy put himself in position to pounce. Smith started to show cracks in his armor and began to take defensive lines in order to maintain the lead, therefore allowing Osborne to close in back in third position. Finally, Savatgy was able to make the move just before the triple, forcing both riders to single-double over the obstacle and subsequently inviting Osborne to battle. Merely two laps later, the Rockstar Husqvarna rider showed his aggression and put himself in front of the TLD Red Bull KTM just before the whoops section as he cut to the inside and blocked the line. Smith was able to tag onto the back of the Husqvarna rider, keeping himself in contention and giving him the opportunity to retake second position after Osborne tucked the front in the sand section. He was able to hold on for second position as he resisted a last lap charge from the Virginian, holding on for his best Monster Energy Supercross finish to date. He’ll be looking to build off the momentum heading into the second round in Atlanta as he attempts to take the next step up on the box.
32 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 19, 2017