Page 56 - issue05mpg-Final

RYDER DIFRANCESCO
85CC LIMITED (9-11)
IMAGE / TENHAGEN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> The route from California through the heartlands of the U.S. can be some of calmness and tranquility, giving passengers some time to ponder and dwell about whatever their mind’s focusing on. It was the same for DiFrancesco, as the moment he left the driveway, and focused on the event in Guthrie, Oklahoma, his brain was channeled into one thing, and one thing only: winning. His demeanor reflected his notion, as his stoic expression presented ideas of concentration and laser-like focus, he wanted to set a tone early, from the time he stepped on the floor to practice. It translated into his heat race, where he shot out of the gate, quickly banging through the gearbox into third, and lunging for the haybale on the inside of the right hander. He would come ahead victorious at the end of lap one, and from there, absolute smooth sailing. His timing through the rhythm sections phenomenal, doubling his way around the course, and echoing the Kawa- saki 85 off the walls of the arena, as it would bark all the way to the check- ered flag. If he could only duplicated his qualifying performance in the main event, he would be in good shape. A pre-race memo with the team was complete, and it looked to be an exact replica of his previous performance, the moment the gate dropped. Absolutely railing the bowl turns of this mix between sand and native red Oklahoma soil, he was getting unreason-
ably close to the tuffblocks in order to create an optimum slingshot once he exited the corner. The strategy was working, each lap pulling from the second place ride of Chance Hymas; and although the Idaho native put up one noteworthy performance, it was too little too late. The early race sprint would pay off in the end, as he took the final flag, and bottle of champagne to the trailer, his crew gathered around and ready to celebrate.
56 MPGDIGITAL• MAY • 2017