Page 34 - ISSUE_62

CHRISTIAN CRAIG
250 SX / 3RD
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Throughout the week prior, it was though his appetite and thirst had never been quenched. Struggling with the idea of dehydration and malnourishment, both team and trainer encouraged the likes of Christian Craig to replenish and rehydrate as quickly
as possible. He finally came clean, in route to the stadium early on in the morning;
the puzzlement of the team was as high as ever, but when he said what he’d truly
been yearning for, it would all make sense. Ever since his last step on the podium, the thought of the ever so crispy champagne consumed the entirety of his taste buds. Not only would his thirst then be satisfied, but his mental checklist would be completed; as all work throughout the week had reaped dividends, in the reward of a top three finish. Throughout qualifying, he would look to vary his way of assault on the competition. Piecing together different odds and ends of rhythm sections, he would look around to see which particular competitor was nearby; when it was as though he was alone, he would launch, trying to be as covert as possible. Pushing forward into the night’s festivi- ties, he was eager for the event’s conclusion, and his visualization of the podium to come true. As he blitzed down the opening straightaway for main number one, his pace was being felt by the competition. Skying over the far triple, his chassis would be thrown into the air, with the torque of the throttle and gravity bringing it back. Never letting off the gas, the slightest of hiccups wouldn’t be thought about, with his right hand seem- ingly glued to the waffle grip on the right side of the handlebar. His ways of the previous 450 endeavor seemed to rare their head, his tall stature allowing him to hop through
the small whoop section, and truly soak up the rollers with his lengthy limbs. Putting down one of the best performances of his career, he would bring home the runner
up ride behind Savatgy. For moto number two, his fourth place start would quickly be propelled to third, as he would look to move quickly to the front. He would then begin to study Savatgy vigorously, but never close enough to make the move, yet another strong ride, would be reciprocated with a third place ever. Craig, for round three, would begin the moto in fourth, placing himself around Kyle Chisholm for lap two. Holding strong until near the halfway point, the force of Adam Cianciarulo couldn’t be stopped, and he would relinquish the third place ride to the number ninety-two. When it looked as though all was clear, a lapse in stamina would subsequently allow the number 28 KTM to move around; he would claim fifth, but good enough for an overall podium.
34 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 21, 2018