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DAVI MILLSAPS
450 SX / 5TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> The collegiate program landscape in the state of Michigan is one that is filled
with prominence. Authority, legacy, and dynasty, are all words that are echoed from around the country when the thought of sport is mentioned with the Great Lake State. You have both the Wolverines and Spartans, a clash of titans so to speak, never willing to settle and become second to the other; fitting as the two nicknames have been historic in legendary tales since the beginning of time. Davi Millsaps is willing to go out on his shield at anytime, a true modern day gladiator. No matter what the condition, his circumstance in the race, or how his bike is cooperating, he
is willing to push his absolute hardest in order to maintain his sense of pride for both he, his family, and team. Whether it be launching singles, powering through this specific right handed sand corner (in which he destroyed in practice, carving a line with his front brake lever as his right toe would drag just in front of the footpeg) or railing the bowl turns, he would keep the 450 tapped with dyer urgency. He hoped that his speed throughout the day would translate to a positive main event result, and it was all he could do to keep the beast tamed down the start straight. The hole- shot device was engaged but still, the 450 was raring off the ground. Pulling tearoff’s left and right, he would battle heavily throughout the greenflag lap. Millsaps was
all over the best in the sport, right on the cusp of his grip. Trailing Marvin Musquin and Eli Tomac, he would try urgently to show the number 3 a wheel; and although
it was effort of a champion, the Monster Energy Kawasaki Rider was just too much to match; and he had all the pressure he wanted behind him. His tall stature was excelling through the whoops, the tip of his front wheel pushing through the section, all on his plantarflexors and his calves burning on all cylinders. Ryan Dungey began to close in, all the way from the 8 minute point, nearing the under one minute mark, and Millsaps would remain stout; however it was too much to hold and he would give in. But the damage wouldn’t stop there, as fellow KTM pilot Blake Baggett would just inch him by a nose by the race end. He would take home fifth, looking to push on to the next race.
22 GRITMOTO • MARCH 26, 2017