Page 30 - GRID-4

THEGRID!
Mathew Scholtz is still fairly new to
the MotoAmerica paddock after joining
the 2016 season at the halfway point, earning himself the opportunity to ride
the Yamalube/Westby Racing YZF-R1 for the final three rounds of the series after proving his skills with a podium finish in his very first race. Despite only competing in half of the events last year, Scholtz still managed to score sixth place overall in
the championship by regularly battling
at the sharp end of the field. He was incredibly impressive in his debut season and has created the opportunity to contest the entire 2017 Bazzaz Superstock 1000 Championship with the Yamalube/Westby Racing team, setting him up for what
could be an incredibly successful season. The South African looked extremely comfortable on the YZF-R1 at Circuit of
the Americas, scoring two second place finishes in his first race meeting at the circuit. Scholtz was determined to back it up at Road Atlanta for the second round
of the series, qualifying on the second
row of the grid as the top Superstock 1000 machine. He was entrenched in a massive battle with the championship leader, Bobby Fong, for the majority of the first race, but Scholtz played his hand to perfection as stole the victory in the closing stages. He suffered an unfortunate mechanical issue in the second race of the weekend, but Scholtz will be buzzing with anticipation heading into VIR after securing his maiden MotoAmerica victory, placing him five points behind the championship leader.
30 GRIDMOTO • JUNE 2017
MATHEW SCHOLTZ
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