Page 34 - Issue45

MITCHELL OLDENBURG
250 SX / 2ND
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> Salt Lake City has been home to some of the best battles in NBA history, with greats such as John Stockton and Karl Malone stamping their mark on the league with unbelievable games and championship runs. And with the basketball season winding down, many citizens of the area are now looking for some other event to jazz up their enthusiasm, giving them something to cheer for on Saturday nights. Behold fans of all ages, Monster Energy Supercross is rolling into town, looking to captivate the audience and leave fans salivating for more as they watch the likes of some of the best 250 rid- ers in the world do battle in the Mountain Time Zone. One of the first riders the crowd can spot is that of Mitchell Oldenburg where you can be drawn in by a few things;
that of his outride charging speed, or his creativity and ability to huck rhythm sections before anyone else. It was apparent nonetheless from the get go at this round as well, as he was clicking up and seat bouncing fiercely, recoiling the spring almost to where the back fender was scraping the tread of his rear tire. Propelling him into the strato- sphere, as he would then kiss the front fender, and give a subtle tap of the rear brake pedal, pushing his machine back towards mother earth; truly exceptional. With practice concluding, he was set up well for the evening show, ready to place his machine into the main event. Qualifying with the number 3 gate selection, his rather applaud worthy efforts from the preceding races were enough to position himself well on the starting grid; however his reaction time faltered, and he had worked his way into six in the opening laps. With Decotis, Hill, Forkner, Mcelrath, and Plessinger in front, he knew he would truly have to lay the hammer down in order to work his way up; but he was up to the task, scream down the long straight away as he hooked into the right hander and over the small double. Sixth became fifth, and then fourth, pushing some of the biggest names in the sport to the wayside, all the while an orange blur passing everyone in sight. Reading “You Can” across pit board, he knew deep within his core, he could rally and finish strong. He stayed outside for quite a while, inheriting fifth after a crash from the number 23. He would somehow continue to keep climbing, leaping past Decotis tripling up and over every obstacle he could. He then saw Hill, and Forkner, poof, being pushed back with a whence; and after all was said and done, the young Minnesota (original) turned Texan would walk away with a shiny silver medal, gleaming from ear to ear.
34 GRITMOTO • APRIL 23, 2017