Page 264 - MPG_JAN_2017

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IMAGE / WONDERGOAT WORDS / KILPATRICK DESIGN / WILSON
>> Cole Tompkins grabbed a handful of Honda power and rocketed down the start straight to a holeshot, riding the rear tire all the way up to the crest of the gator pit. Tompkins led fellow Honda rider, Hunter Schlosser, around on the first lap as the two of them attempted to break away from the Ya- maha duo that battled for 3rd. Antonio Calavano worked his way into contention for the lead after sending it over the fin- ish line next to Riley O’Grodnick; the two of them were neck and neck in the air, but the Californian made the pass stick and immediately began to close the gap to the leaders. The battle for the championship was set up between the Moto- concepts backed rider of Cole Tompkins and the GPF rider
of Calvano - whomever finished ahead of one another would win the title. Calavano set the fastest lap of the race as he at- tempted to chase down the two leaders; they began to battle with each other which only gave the Yamaha rider even more of an opportunity to close in on the pair of them. The leading trio crossed the finish line to take the white flag as the battle between Calavano and Tompkins for the championship came to life. They were only separated by one or two bike lengths heading down into the gator pit as they prepared to take their gloves off for the rest of the race. The Californian attempted to square up Tompkins as they headed down into the final corner, but he wasn’t able to make the move as the Moto- concepts rider rode solidly to defend the position and take the overall. Calavano took 2nd overall and Brandon Yates rounded out the box in 3rd.
264 MPG • JANUARY 2017