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SHANE MCELRATH
250 MX / 12TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / ROEWER DESIGN / TILLS
>> Shane Mcelrath has had a difficult time breaking into the top five this 2017 outdoor season. With a 7th being his best finish this year, the TLD, Red Bull, KTM rider only has a couple of rounds left of the season to improve his results. Working hard during the bi-week, Mcelrath was ready to shred heading into round 10 at Unadilla. Riding strong in practice and qualifying Mcelrath was the 7th fastest rider heading into the motos. Going into moto one with a nice boost of confidence, Mcelrath left it all at the gate as he flew into the first turn. Not quite getting the jump he needed, the KTM rider was sitting right around 12th after the first lap. He made one pass
to 11th where he would stay for almost half of the moto battling with his teammate Sean Cantrell for a few of those laps. After a few passes, back and forth he was able to hold onto the pass moving up to 10th where he finished off the first moto. After sitting out the weather delay, Mcelrath was lined up and ready to go for moto two. Sliding around out of the gate he was sitting all the way back in 18th around the first turn. It was no easy task making it a lap without a mistake on the now muddy Unadilla track. Luck- ily for Mcelrath, he made his mistake out of the gate as he moved forward each lap. Even though the moto was cut short, the KTM rider was able to make up quite a bit of time into 14th. Finishing the day with a 10-14 Mcel- rath earned a 12th overall finish.
78 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 13, 2017