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Austin Forkner put down the 2nd fastest overall time in qualifying practice behind Cooper Webb, making a statement that the speed he showed at Hangtown was only the tip of his potential. Not only did he put in the 2nd best time overall, he put in the fastest time in the last practice session
when the track was at its roughest. The rookie’s confidence has to be bubbling over following performances like that, proving to everybody as well as himself that he deserves to run at the front. Forkner’s solid qualifying time put him in the midst of some heavy hitters on the inside of the gate and he stayed wheel to wheel with them all the way into Talladega corner, coming out of the start around 5th place. He settled into that position and took advantage of a mistake by fellow rookie, Tristan Charboneau, to move up to 4th early in the moto. He was matching the lap times of those in front of him, running 2:31’s and consistent low 2:32’s. Forkner rode a very level headed race and gauged the pace of those in front of him, eventually capitalizing on a Jeremy Martin crash to move into 3rd place. Forkner almost had 2nd place, considering Martin’s crash was caused by the two Star Yamaha riders coming together, but Webb was able to keep it on two wheels.
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