Page 104 - Issue_39

KYLE CHISOLM
450 SX / 18TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ECKERT DESIGN / WILSON
>> Having yet to make a main thus far in the 2017 season, it could definitely be said that it is an off year for Kyle Chisolm. With years of professional racing and brutal battles under his belt, there’s no telling when the #11 will re-emerge as a main event threat. Looking to breakthrough in Toronto, Chisolm started heat two buried in the pack off the line. Chisolm entered the first turn outside the top ten in 14th. Being a veteran though, Chisolm found the top ten by the end of the first lap and began to hound Jake Weimer in 9th. Unable to capatil- ize, Kyle began to fall off the pace as Weimer gapped the #11 by a few sec- onds as the race winded down. Holding 10th for the rest of the race, Chisolm would need to look to his Semi for another chance to transfer. Fighting for his spot, Chisolm entered the first turn with the elbows up as he entered turn one alongside Weimer, his heat 2 rival, and Pipes. Finding some solid lines, Chi- solm was able to make it by both riders to reach 4th by lap two. The momen- tum only lasted a few laps, though, as Weimer got back by the #11, pushing Kyle to 5th and the final transfer spot of the race. Chisolm held on strong, though, and took the spot to the main event where he came off the line in 15th, buried as the pack crossed the holeshot line. Behind Alessi, both riders dropped a position on the first lap, getting passed by Ryan Dungey. Following the opening pal, Kyle was back in 17th for the first couple of laps before put- ting the move on Alessi and getting around the #800. Able to hold the position for the next several minutes, it wasn’t until inside the final eight minutes of the race that Chisolm faltered. The mistake came at a bad time, as it allowed both MotoConcepts riders, Mike Alessi and Vince Friese, to get by, pushing Kyle to 18th in the blink of an eye. After the setback, Kyle failed to move forward and had take his position all the way home to the checkers. Although a dismal re- sult, it was a successful week for Chisolm and if nothing else, a sign of whats to come from the #11 camp in the coming weeks.
104 GRITMOTO • MARCH 5, 2017