Page 49 - GRID-4

MICHAELGILBERT
SUPERSTOCK 600
Gilbert re-enforced his two podium finishes at the opening round of the 2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship by putting his
He took a couple of laps to get his tires to optimal temperature and get into his rhythm on the R6 and then he began to go to work. He forced his
way past Anthony Mazziotto II on the fourth lap as he set his sights on Nick McFadden in sixth. In a matter of four laps, Gilbert was able to make the move on the Kentuckian as well and he found himself in sixth spot with Brandon Paasch and Conner Blevins battling ahead of him. As the twenty lapper reached the midway point, Gilbert decided to strike and he was able to work his way past both Blevins and Paasch on the same lap. At that point, he relied on his instincts and technique as he put together a string of consistent laps, incessantly building a gap back to fifth overall. It was smooth sailing all the way to the checkered flag after Gilbert was able to accumulate a lead
of approximately six seconds ahead of Mazziotto II, earning his first Superstock 600 victory of the 2017 season, finishing fourth overall in the process. In the second race, Gilbert suffered the same twist of fate off of the starting grid as he fell back into the clutches of his main rivals on the opening lap. He made some more urgent moves this time around as he fought his way past Paasch on the second lap. A couple of laps later, Gilbert had forced his way past a trio of riders, including the points leader Nick McFadden, on his way to fourth place overall. From that point forward, it was a carbon copy of the first race as the ensuing pack tripped each other up and helped Gilbert to escape, as he eventually built a gap of almost five seconds. He wrapped up his second victory of the year in fairly routine fashion, doubling his win count from last year as he takes over at the top of the championship.
Team MG55 Yamaha on the second row of the grid with a 1:31.746. He qualified almost three tenths ahead of the closest Superstock
600 rider as he managed to best his adversaries in less than ideal qualifying conditions. As the lights went out on the first race, Gilbert
didn’t get the best jump off the grid as he found himself down in eighth place as the pack came around for the first time.
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