Page 22 - Issue_39

BLAKE BAGGET
450 SX / 5TH
IMAGE /MPG WORDS /ROEWER DESIGN / WILSON
>> It was nothing but smiles last weekend for Blake Bagget taking his first 450 heat race win and even got himself on the podium, a huge confident booster for the KTM rider. It may have been a slow start to the season for the Rocky Mountain KTM rider, but he is only going up from there. Start- ing the chilly night in Toronto Canada Bagget qualified into the night in a solid third place, proving he really does belong up with the front runners. The start of his heat race was rocky getting a bad jump out of the gate he had his work cut out for him. About half way through the heat the KTM rider managed to work his way into fifth place. Battling hard for the last transfer spot with Barcia, he was able to make the pass sliding his way into fourth. With his ticket to the main event, Bagget had some time to regroup before lining back up behind the gate. After his best career finish last weekend Bagget clearly found his groove. Putting the power to ground the Rocky Mountain KTM rider grabbed himself his first holeshot of the season. Not able to fend off the current man to beat Eli Tomac, Bagget fell back to second. For the first few laps of the race it looked as if Bagget was go-
ing to get himself another podium finish. Going through a rhythm section that had some gnarly kickers Bagget fell prey to one sending him over the bars. It was a heartbreaking crash for the KTM rider causing him to lose his podium position. Recovering from the crash as quick as he could Bagget was back on his bike and sitting in fourth place. It wasn’t long before the diesel of Ryan Dungey caught up sending him back to fifth. Riding the rest of the race as mistake free as he could Bagget crossed the finish line in fifth place. It wasn’t the podium he was looking for but a great finish for the KTM rider.
22 GRITMOTO • MARCH 5, 2017