Page 42 - MPG19

Forkner was able to maintain a solid pace in the closing laps of the race and hold off Martin for his first podium finish in his second ever professional race. Although the second moto result wasn’t as impressive on paper, it was arguably a better showing for the Pro Circuit rookie. Forkner was about 4th out of the gate, but he was determined to get to the front of the field right off the bat. He got a good drive up the first hill and went around the outside
of Jordon Smith to move into 3rd position only three corners into the race. He was matching the speed of Jeremy Martin at the front of the field and used that pace to work his way around Jessy Nelson for 2nd on lap
3. He slowly began to claw at the small gap that Martin had built between them, most notably taking a chunk out of it on lap 5 with the fastest lap of the race (2:32.1). Forkner continued to push in an attempt to reel in the defending champion, which forced him into a mistake at the top of the track; the crash relegated him back to 6th position, but he was still able
to regroup and pass Aaron Plessinger for the 5th place before the race was all said and done. He narrowly missed out on the overall podium, but it was a hugely successful day for the young rider out of Missouri. If he continues to improve at this rate, he’ll be winning races by the time the series hits High Point.
words/LAKEKILPATRICK
IMAGE/JACKEDWARDS
theGRIT
42 GRITMOTO • MAY.30.16