Page 22 - Issue 79

AARON PLESSINGER
250 MX / 6TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Coming into the weekend, many riders on the tour con gured with numerous com- binations of bike setup. Being a bit down on power, forced many to change their game plan and constantly search for an advantage over their fellow competitors on the line. It caused many to doubt, not for certain as to which setup was particularly best. However Aaron Plessinger was con dent that he and team would nd the best set-up possible,
in order to conquer this tough terrain and track layout. Running a sprocket that was a
bit higher acceleration, and increasing the hit of the engine package just a tad, he had
the entire boost needed, when climbing up these hills. Launching out of every valley, kissing the front end to keep it down, he felt solid as he power the rocket ship out of the raceway, and back into the semi area. The rst moto had the eld dive-bombing into turn number one, and he would emerge eighth on the rst lap. Navigating through the series
of hills that would follow, he would have his work cut out for him, as Chase Sexton resided ahead. He could found insanely close to numerous yellow markers around the track, as he was willing to use the track down to a mere inch, in order to gain time. Ruts began to be etched up the faces of jumps, and gravel would even start to show from underneath the surface. He would hold down the seventh spot, but eventually gain a position, with the unfortunate detonation of Joey Savatgy’s motor, who was leading. As the nal ag would y, he would come across the line sixth. The second moto would begin with riders piling up in the rst turn, a domino effect from the middle to the outside. He would emerge, and be forced to work hard from the get go. Wheeling up the rst hill, skying over the next double, and back down the hip jump at the top, both his mind and heart were racing at the fullest capacity. It was all he could do to shield the number forty, yet he would fend him off, even when the ruts would become notoriously deep. He wasn’t done however, as the last lap saw him blitz by Jordon Smith on the start straight, now holding down the fourth spot. Heading towards the nal ag, he would sit fourth; he would stay here, crossing the small, pop-up tabletop with a bit of satisfaction, but know he could do better at the next round, as sixth overall was something to build off of.
22 GRITMOTO • JUNE 3, 2018