Page 108 - Issue-35

MIKE ALESSI
450 SX / OKLAND
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / WILSON
>> After a big case at the season opener at A1 off of a 75 ft triple Mike was forced to sit on the bench and miss rounds 2&3. After coming back to racing just a week ago the #800 was looking for- ward to building himself back up to race pace. Alessi is still recov- ering from his injuries he sustained at the opener and the track this weekend wasn’t going to make things easy on him. @mikeales- si_800 posted on instagram following round 5 in Oakland stating “One of the toughest tracks I have ever ridden in my entire career in Supercross”. Followed by “Still healing up from my injury”. The MCR SmartTop rider got off to great start in his heat race and was even running in third for a moment before usual front contenders Reed and Seely made their way by. Alessi ended up settling for 6th and prepared for his semi moto. Mike jumped out of the gate in his semi right behind holeshot winner Eli Tomac but was shuffled back to 5th by the end of lap 1. Mike was holding down the 5th and final transfer position before Dean Wilson went down and gave Alessi that little extra cushion and was quietly on his way to the main. The Honda rider rounded out the first turn inside of the top 10 in the final. A few issues forced Mike to 15th by the end of lap 2. Throughout the main event Alessi moved back and forward positions, eventually getting his second consecutive 15th place fin- ish of the year. Mike should be closer to that top 10 in Dallas.
108 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 5, 2017