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MALCOLM STEWART
450 SX / 7TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Having an older brother, in any aspect of life, can be tough, in a sense. Always be- ing overshadowed, having to step out, and make a true identity, is something that many younger siblings have a tough time overcoming. Now just imagine your typical brother scenario, and multiply that times a thousand, and you have the situation that Malcolm Stewart was brought into. His brother, James Stewart, arguably one of the most talented individuals to ever throw a leg over a dirtbike, has set a tone for him that’s been hard to live up to. Yet, “Mookie” has prevailed, relishing in the limelight and winning races of his own. His path has led him to multiple try-outs for teams aboard the 450, and he’s deliv- ered. And the 2018 season has been a prime example of that. Never one to lose sight of the end goal, his raw talent has been coupled with hard work, and he’s bloomed into a star of this generation. You could see the interaction from fans throughout practice, with both he and the crowd on the same page. Shortly thereafter, the crowd for his autograph signing was a mile long, and he was smiling and interacting with every member. Nev- ertheless, it was time to really put in work, for the heat race, and the commencement of racing festivities. A third place start had him just behind the two heavy hitters of Musquin and Anderson, and his raw speed was apparent. The way he attacked the whoops, mim- icked the speed of his brother, and the scrubs were there as well. Flicking the chassis every which way over the “SX” triples, the crowed “ooohed” and “aahed” at the sight of the number 27, being prominent throughout this dif cult race. And as the checkered ag ew, he would hold strong, nishing third, and ready for the main event. The reworks would shoot off, ames into the air, and Stewart could be found seventh. Toggling be- tween Soubeyras, who was behind, and Wilson, ahead, the three would sprint off on the rst lap. He would then be aquainted quickly with Weston Peick. They all would begin to bunch up, single le through rhythm lanes, but blasting through the sand side by side. Pulling tearoff’s left and right, he would hover around the sixth place position near the midpoint of the race. And then lap traf c would become a factor, as he would have to dodge and weave throughout these traf c cones, all the while ghting off the number 34. His battle would be as courageous as ever, and although he would hold his own, Peick would end up getting around, moving him back to seventh. It was here, where Malcolm would reside across the nish, and go on to take seventh place overall.
26 GRITMOTO • APRIL 22, 2018