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DEAN WILSON
450 MX / 6TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / TILLS
>> If you look up the phrase of “Trials and Tribulations”, magnifying the definition with that of the most acute lens, you will see a summary, and maybe even picture, capturing that of Dean Wilson and his run through
the professional tour the past few years. Coming from the height of claim- ing numerous amateur titles, professional race wins, and even an outdoor championship, to being laid on the operating table with numerous surger- ies, and without a ride to begin the 2017 season, many can’t fathom how hard he’s had to work to get to this point. Thankful and gracious, he was willing to lay it all on the line at Unadilla, reassuring both family and team that he was here to stay for the long haul. A 13th place start in the first moto saw him having to truly earn his keep, in order to garner any type of solid result. Launching out of the gravity cavity each lap, he was using his long, lanky frame, as an extra set of springs, soaking up the impact his 450 had created by flying through the air. It was working, and the soaring never stopped, even with the hurricane like rains were pouring down. Moving up lap after lap, his final position of climbing would be halted ninth place, look- ing to most certainly increase in the next go-around. Time for redemption
in moto number two, as his roots in the rain-driven climate of the UK would rare their head. A third place start would find him just behind teammate Martin Davalos, as he remained calculated. Not so much as to be hesitant, in order to not pass, but he would have to stay a certain distance, unless he was certain a pass could be made; otherwise his vision would be ruined. He would stay at bay for the majority of the moto, as Davalos’ speed was apparent and rising by the lap. However, all of the Husqvarna team was marveling at the performance of the number 15, holding down the podium spot until just a few short laps to go, when Cooper Webb would mosey around throughout the deepest of trenches. Nevertheless, a fourth place finish was solid, and enough for sixth place overall by the end of the day.
22 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 13, 2017