Page 26 - GRIT-80

JORDON SMITH
250 MX / 7TH
IMAGE / LANG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> We’re getting into the sweltering heat of summertime, where the sun is not just simply a candle to light the track in which we compete, but a torch to roast the competitors with blistering temperatures. Mile after mile throughout the workweek must be placed aboard pieces of training equipment, in order to prepare the rider for competition. Acclimation to the environment must also be endured, as any liking to the cool, air conditioned units of the indoors will result in serious consequences come Saturday. With the aforementioned coming into effect this weekend, along with the humidity of this region, all must be pre- pared once aboard the start line; and Jordon Smith was in top shape. Never getting out of breath throughout practice, these short bursts of sprints would tap into his anaerobic capacity, but his stores of fuel would be bountiful and able to sustain. He knew, that if he could just keep this up for the duration of thirty minutes, he would sit well by the end of the day. The rst moto would commence with a slamming of the gate, and he would pow- er-drive the tread into mother earth up the lead hill. Hopping down through the infamous down-hill roller section through the opening laps, he would jockey with Austin Forkner for fourth place position. Elbow to elbow at times, he would leap out of the valley and triple up on to level ground, with the opposition trying to sneak to the inside. He could be found running rails, almost gravitating above some of these potholes and bumps that took place around the raceway. Both the chassis and triple clamps were dancing, slapping
in horizontal fashion, yet his right hand would be glued to the grip. With the checkered ag in sight, he would go onto nish fth. The latter portion of the double header would commence shortly thereafter, and with the board going sideways, the eld would take off. Emerging in a somewhat decent position, he looked to rummage through the pack quickly. Trying to pick off the competition at the most ef cient pace possible, he would scan the track for the most optimum racing line; even if that meant toying with the yellow markers at times. Missing a bump here, dodging a pothole there; the milliseconds began to accumulate, and the distance between he and Michael Mosiman was shortening. Finally, after numerous laps, he would settle in tenth and look forward to residing here, as the referee waved the ag of nish. Heading back to the truck, he awaited the overall scores to be added together, and seventh would be his for the taking.
26 GRITMOTO • JUNE 17, 2018