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ALEX MARTIN
250 MX / 2ND
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / PINTOR DESIGN / TILLS
>> Troy Lee Designs Redbull KTM Rider Alex Martin has placed himself second in the points standing for the 2017 outdoor Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series. Still struggling to have his first overall win this year Martin has been consistently in the top ten the last four rounds. Last weekend at Muddy Creek Alex stayed steady and went 4-4 for both first and second moto and took the 4th overall position. Battling with Austin Forkner for 70 minutes straight Alex struggled to put down the laps and finish on the podium. Not the finish that Alex wanted, but he would take the top ten finish and go on to Buchanan, Michigan for round 5 at Redbud.
The track was in perfect condition and Alex Martin was prepared to charge ahead and have that overall first place finish at Redbud. Putting down solid laps in qualifying Martin had the second best time of the day. As everyone in the 250 class lined up for race num- ber one Alex Martin was prepared to take a win. The holeshot is underway and Alex gets a solid start. As the time passes the Troy Lee Designs Redbull KTM Rider holds onto his position in third as Austin Forkner is on Martins tail. Martin doesn’t let off the throttle and tries to close in on Osborne who’s in second. Last lap and Big Al crosses the finish line in third place. A solid finish, but Alex knows what needs to be done to earn a win at Redbud.
Moto number two, determined and ready to win Alex pulls the holeshot. Leading the pack Big Al hangs on to first place throughout the beginning of the race. Then Alex comes into a corner and his front wheel washes out. Martin loses the lead as the race is halfway over. Mitchell Harrison makes the pass into first and just as Alex gets back up and on the bike Osborne comes around the corner as they head into the face of Loracco’s Leap. Os- borne makes the pass on Martin leaving Alex in third place. The clock is ticking down and Alex closes in on Mitchell Harrison and Zach Osborne as the two riders battle for first. Osborne finally makes the pass on Harrison and Martin closes in on Mitchell. Not letting off the gas Big Al closes in on Harrison. Checkered flag is flown and Al crosses the finish line in third place. Clearly disappointed with his rookie mistake Al takes it as a lesson and is ready to move onto round 6 at Southwick.
34 GRITMOTO • JULY 2, 2017