Page 64 - Issue_39

JUSTIN BOGLE
450 SX / 12TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> The Toronto Raptor’s have been making a lot of noise here in the past few years; garnering respect from both fans and opposing teams alike, making their presence known throughout the Eastern Conference as they have to face one of the boldest teams in the league, the Cleveland Cavaliers (and Lebron James) on a regular basis. Not many thought they could ever reach the levels they have in their respected craft, similar to what Justin Bogle has faced from both media and critics alike. “Too weak mentally”, “not enough consistency”, “lacks speed on the 450”, all things that he has read or heard on the scouting report prior to competing. He somehow, however, is resilient enough to brush it to the way side, and press on, moving forward through the deepest of sludge, trash talk, and piles of rubbish one can climb (and smell- ing like a rose after all is said and done.) Toronto was another event for him to stop the negativity; letting his actions on the track do the talking. Blistering the surface with assertiveness throughout the day, he was penetrating these absurd ruts with fierceness like no other. Walking a tightrope around the track following the green flag of the main event, he was eleventh place across timing and scoring. His style played into the hands of this track, because the more calculated you were, the faster you were to figure out the equation; no matter how many variables were in your way. He would battle with the likes of Josh Grant, Justin Brayton, and a floating Marvin Musquin throughout the majority of the moto. The number 19, leg dangling at every opportunity, was trying to be as smooth as humanly possible, but this soil was simply some
of the least friendly on the tour. He would catch Malcolm Stewart in a train of three near the halfway point, as he read the stretching pitboard of the RCH team passing by the mechanics area. Nipping at the heels of the 33 for the majority of the moto, he would hit the checkered flag in a position of 13th; not bad at all considering how many killers are in the 450 field this year.
64 GRITMOTO • MARCH 5, 2017