Page 50 - ISSUE_53

SHANE MCELRATH
250 MX / 8TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / PINTOR DESIGN / TILLS
>> This outdoor season has been a rough ride for Shane McElrath. Con- stantly struggling to get in a groove and find momentum McElrath was in dire need of improvement. Then came Muddy Creek his hometown race. Moto one was awesome, with a great start and a solid sixth place finish, McElrath was starting to look like himself again. The second race was a bit rougher and Shane only was able to make an 11th place finish. Still not defeated the Troy Lee Designs Redbull KTM rider came to Redbud with his chin held high.
In true McElrath style, Shane came out swinging in qualifying with the third best lap time of the day. Happy with his performance in qualifying McElrath was ready to attack the day and get a top five finish. The gate dropped and the first race of the day was on the track. Coming out of the gate towards the front of the pack it was the start that the Troy Lee Designs Redbull KTM rider needed. Still persisting and not letting off the gas McElrath put down lap after lap as he chased after Plessinger and Ferrandis. Not getting into a groove though McElrath falls back into ninth place. He’ll sit there as the first moto ends.
Not getting the leap he had in the first moto Shane comes out of the gate
in the middle of the pack. Making up a couple positions McElrath is chasing down Savatgy. Jeremy Martin pushing towards the front of the pack after a dead last start due to a fall is starting to chase down Shane. McElrath finally gets Savatgy in his grip and steals 8th place from him. Martin creeps up on the Troy Lee Designs Redbull KTM rider though and steals the 8th position. Back in ninth with only one lap to go Shane tries to chase Jeremy back down. Not being able to make the pass Shane settles for the ninth position. Going 9-9 at Redbud Shane McElrath is determined to push himself to be even bet- ter and continue to get more top ten finishes as the outdoor season continues.
50 GRITMOTO • JULY 2, 2017