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WESTON PEICK
450 SX / 6TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Weston Peick has been known as a bruiser throughout the course of his amateur and professional career. Thinking back to his days of being an unknown, he surged through the ranks, excelling at events like Loretta Lynn’s during the latter stages of his initial big bike surge. Here, he would go on to claim a championship in the 450 B class, battling with the likes of highly touted stars such as Malcolm Stewart. It’s funny how things come full circle, with now both he and Stewart aboard Suzuki 450’s, battling amongst the same brand, and nding each other at numerous stops on the tour. All throughout practice,
the number thirty-four would eye the yellow frame of his near competitor, knowing that Malcolm was one to go and blitz the track in the early going. After trying almost every line in the book, practice would conclude, and he would be satis ed from where he withstood, amongst the greatest in the sport. A fourth place start in his heat race, would have him behind rival Chad Reed; which if you can remember, brought back memories of the two having words in years past. However this encounter, would remain relatively cordial, and they would begin to interchange spots, with Reed falling to the wayside. Peick, still fourth, now had heavy hitters just in front of him. The checkered ag would y, and it would be Barcia, Tomac, Baggett, and he, nishing fourth. The track conditions for the main event would be reminiscent of his home turf in California, albeit with a little more groove than the west coast. The slick turf would require immense throttle control, and Peick could be seen lugging the bike a gear tall, in the early stages of the moto. Moving up early from his ninth place start, he would slowly begin to chip, as others would fade throughout the duration
of the main. Riders like Friese, Soubeyras, and Stewart would sit in front. Although very respected and known in their own right, Peick knew he could make quick work of the competition if he put his head down. But one by one, he would pluck away, like the lum- berjack that he is, knocking down the tree. Finally, the trunk would snap as the nal lap would conclude. Sitting in sixth, his 450 would crest the nish with a breeze, living to ride another day, and taking home a solid sixth overall.
22 GRITMOTO • APRIL 22, 2018