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COLT NICHOLS
250 MX / 5TH
IMAGE / CAVAZOS WORDS / LANNAN DESIGN / WILSON
>> The Oklahoma kid is back!!! Colt Nichols has found a new level of speed and determination and nothing is going to stop him. After a Supercross season littered with injuries and bad luck, Colt was possibly going to miss the beginning of the Pro Moto- cross series. His resilience shined through once again as he was determined to be on the line at Hangtown. He quickly proved he made the right decision as he captured a very impressive career best 6th overall. Colt was ready to continue his performance in SoCal and there was no doubt he was capable. His speed in qualifying was incredible and many were watching the #39 Yamaha. Eager to prove he deserves to be at the
top, Colt jumped out to a great top 5 start when the first moto began. He avoided the Glen Helen roost and was challenging to pass right away. Colt was vigorously grabbing tear offs as he was doing everything he could to keep his Yamaha moving forward. He was very aggressive and immediately began to challenge Fokner for 4th position. He was taking every different line he could and Colt eventually pushed Forkner passed the 3rd place rider of Taft. Colt got by quickly as well and was now challenging Forkner for 3rd place again, looking for any way around. They would hit the hip jump side by side and then after an incredible drive up the hill, Colt was able to out jump Forkner, barely avoiding mid air contact. Colt was now in 3rd place and pulling away. Late in the moto, Colt began to feel pressure from his teammate, Plessinger, with Osborne right in tow. Towards the tail end of the eleventh lap, Colt was finally forced to give up the positions. He would cruise on to a 5th place finish. In the second moto, Colt got a similar start and was again running near the top five. He used his sheer determination and put down blistering laps to keep the riders behind him. Unfortunately, a mistake dropped him back a few spots early on but he answered back. He quickly got around the two riders in front of him and was again going fast. Then, a mistake by teammate, Plessinger, handed him 5th place once again. He began to pressure the young rookie Mosiman for 4thplace shortly after. It was only a matter of time before he demanded the position and would be well on his way to an impressive 4th place finish in moto 2. His efforts were good enough for a commendable 5th place overall at Glen Helen.
40 GRITMOTO • MAY 28, 2017