Page 30 - ISSUE32

MARTIN DAVALOS
250 SX / SD
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> We all know that the chase for an AMA Supercross title isn’t a race of random outbursts of speed, but rather a series of steadfast attrition. Being a veteran of the game, Davalos has been all too familiar with the highs and lows of a championship run. Rookies, consumed with stomach-turning nerves and anxiety, are littered all across the starting line; but for the few veterans such as himself, his repertoire of tricks and techniques pay dividends amongst a sea of frantic chaos. He had to remain composed as the field sorted itself out through the initial laps. Cross jumping and block passing through the array of sharp 90’s and bowl turns, his level of alertness had to be at an all time high.
The laps clicking away, he avoided being stagnant, and focused on what was ahead rather than the competition knocking at his door. His precision in the majority of the turns were immaculate, hooking imme- diately into the largest groove he could find, and attempting to slightly drag the front brake to keep pressure on the front end. Davalos lurked quietly in second, stalking a surprising Jimmy Decotis, but with the looming arm pump of the Massachusetts native arising, he would unfortunately succumb, and Davalos would inherit the lead; a point that was all too familiar for the Ecuadorian. With his classic textbook technique, Davalos was trying religiously to keep his focus on the path that awaited him, and not the roar of the number 38 that lay just at his bay. And as the clock dwindled down, the temperature gauge contin- ued to rise, and Davalos would unfortunately boil over. Alarms ring- ing, the panic button intact, he would fall spot after spot in a series of unfortunate events, taking fourth by race end, and disappointed as he rode back through the tunnel.
30 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 15, 2017