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AARON PLESSINGER
250 MX / 1ST
IMAGE / LANG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> When viewing champions of the past, although they may be riding different brands, come from different regions of the world, and have different riding styles, they all can
be related by a few commonalities. They’re determined to win, they’re willing to work for what they desire, and they will push fear to the wayside in order to determine their goal. And when looking at Aaron Plessinger, even from a distant, outside perspective, you are quick to nd just how intense he is. His expression never blemishes, and his vision presents this razor-like focus, willing to slash through the competition with a quick glare. He was out-front early on in practice, with his presence being felt immediately by all around; there were even those on the racetrack with him that looked to get of his way, in a voluntary manner. He demanded the same type of respect following the gate drop for the rst moto, as he shot out of the cannon and placed rst on the rst lap. Leaning into the off-cambered corners with immaculate precision, the bike was in constant state motion around the track. The wheels never stopped moving, resulting a in a slight bit
of pulling from riders like Justin Cooper behind him. With Martin making the move by Cooper, it was a Yamaha and Honda duel out front. Plessinger, the only rider to dip into the 1:57 second range, was truly using his length to his advantage; the leverage he could create aboard the footpegs was astounding. He would go on to lead every lap, with the nish line being right around the corner, and rst would be his nal placing. The festivities for moto number two were here, and the reworks of engines all across the grid would roar up the start straight. Hovering near fth place on lap one, he knew he would have to stay up front in order to be in contention for the overall. The track began to slicken, with
a hard, clay base emerging even through the grotesque ruts. Balancing as if he were on a high wire, he would creep around Chase Sexton, followed by his teammate of Justin Cooper. It was Jeremy Martin out front, with a stingy Austin Forkner in second. In an ultra quick transition, Plessinger worked his way up to the back of the number thirty- ve, and would make quick work of the young Kawasaki pilot. With Jeremy Martin out in front, he looked to put his head down and charge; when all of the sudden, the Honda began to roll with slow momentum off the track. His bike had locked up, and it was now Plessinger’s opportunity to take the lead. He would do so, and lead the latter half of the race with as- sertion. The checkered ag was here, and he could literally taste the champagne when he crossed the nish line. His rst place nish in this moto would result in an overall win, and he couldn’t be more ecstatic.
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GRITMOTO • JUNE 17, 2018