Page 18 - Issue45

JASON ANDERSON
450 SX / 3RD
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Jason Anderson entered the Easter Break with a nice bit of momentum. The Rockstar Husqvarna rider improved his finishes at each of the last four rounds be- fore the break with a ninth, sixth, fourth and third. He finally returned to the podium in Seattle after only getting up there two other times on the year. Starts have been the main cause of concern for Anderson as for most of the season he has been forced to race from behind in the main events. But at those last few rounds he seemed to have started to improve on that big key to success and he looked to build on that in Salt Lake City.
El Hombre had a nice time qualifying during the day coming away with the seventh best lap time. His time was on par with the leaders and he anticipated lining them up for the night show.
When the gate dropped in his heat race, he found himself right behind co-series points leader Ryan Dungey. Anderson was able to keep pace with him early but then fell vic- tim to the other co-points leader Eli Tomac bumping him to third. From there Anderson tried to learn from their lines and prepare himself for a successful main event. Anderson nailed another solid start in the main so it seems like he is definitely start- ing to figure them out. He started in third but got around Bogle on lap two to take over the number two position. He locked in behind Ryan Dungey, as he did in his heat, and tried to keep him in his sights. Anderson rode really well as he was indeed able to keep Dungey insight as well as put a gap on the rest of the field; Well except for Eli Tomac who came storming by midway through the race. Once Tomac pushed him back to third, he tried riding his wave to try and catch Dungey with him and although he did a little bit. He was not able to get within striking distance. He would have to settle with third. It was his third podium on the season and second in a row so it looks like Ander- son is hitting his stride here at the end of the season.
18 GRITMOTO • APRIL 23, 2017