Page 84 - Issue45

COLE MARTINEZ
250 SX / 12TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / WILSON
>> Arizona has produced many great riders throughout the years and Cole Martinez is falling under that catigory as he has been making his way closer to a solid top 10 competitor each weekend. Cole is aboard a Yamaha with the new IBCorp Racing team and it seems to be a good fit for the pair. Cole is currently 9th in the championship standings with a total of 5 top ten finishes. The #53 was in 4th place early on in his heat race but was pushed back a few positions by McElrath and Chisholm. Looking at the championship standings the pass
by Chisholm had to have hurt Cole even though it is a heat race the two are battling are only where within 5 points of each other for 8th in the standings and getting passed straight up in the heat race will knock your confidence a touch going into the main event. Sadly Martinez got tangled off the start and had to back off the throttle to make it to the first corner on two wheels. He rounded the first turn in 16th position. Cole seemed to struggle with the track this weekend in Salt Lake City and could only move his way up to 13th. With only one round remaining and 8 points between Chisholm and Martinez for 8th in the champi- onship standings Vegas could be interesting, it could be the difference between a contract for the 2018 season.
84 GRITMOTO • APRIL 23, 2017