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MARTIN DAVALOS
450 MX / 2ND
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / TILLS
>> Although receiving numerous amounts of torment for being a mainstay in the 250 class, it seems as the Martin Davalos has made the move cor- rectly in some regards, as his maturity as grown leaps and bounds, and it’s blossomed into numerous applaud-worthy rides for the 450 series. Unadilla was no different, as an eighth place start in the opening moto, found him being shuffled amongst two heavy strikes, that of Weston Peick and Eli Tomac. He would dodge a barrage of punches, dodging and weaving in every corner. Coming into the fly-away tabletop, this is where he would initiate one of his hidden tricks of weaponry, the charge into the following chicane. It was working, and each lap, he would etch little by little towards Cooper Webb, holding off teammate Dean Wilson. He would bring home the eighth position. A second place start for moto number two, saw him trailing the opening winner of Marvin Musquin, trying to frantically scribble notes, all the while dodging the sludge and roost being blasted by the KTM rear tire. With a shortened moto, due to the absurd amounts of precipita- tion, Davalos knew that if could stay just within striking distance, the moto could be redeemed in his favor. Lugging the bike a gear tall, to avoid extra wheelspin, he was weighing the machine side to side, in order to get his weight to peg ratio in an optimum spot. Circulating the track each lap, he could hardly read the pitboard of his mechanic, but knew he was in a great spot for a podium ride. It would be just that, taking the runner-up position, and somehow, someway, enough for second overall.
10 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 13, 2017