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DAKOTA ALIX
450 MX / 10TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / TILLS
>> The Seattle Seahawks have taken the NFL by storm over the past few years. If it isn’t there play on the field, it’s the stampede of fans who are willing to rush the turf at any particular moment. The screams are deafening; and coinciden- tally, it’s as though the same can hold true to the fans of Washougal. The pride of the Northwest, Dakota Alix feeds off of this type of atmosphere. Launching off the triple-tabletop flyaway in the middle, he would smoothly caress the bike to the right, the rear end spinning in a gyro effect. Looking over and motioning the crowd to be louder, his laptimes would soar as he continued to click off the laps of the final practice session. Play time was now over, but if he could regener-
ate the energy, he would be in great shape. Gate fall, and he’s being hosed with numerous pellets, ricocheting off of his armor like an AK-47, and he’s belting at the top of his lungs “BRING IT.” Never letting go of the throttle, his bike launches off the downhill drop, as he skirts to the yellow markers. He doesn’t ever lose sight of the jersey in front, and although that position is varying, he’s continuing to push forward. He was at constant war with the foreign ride of Freddie Noren, all the while chasing his an up and coming “new gun” on the tour, Justin Hoeft. By the end of the moto, he found himself hunting down Matt Bisceglia, but it was too little to late, with the number 81 of Henry Miller at bay. He was content with
a twelfth place finish. 14th across timing and scoring to begin the moto, his work would have to be cut out for him, prior to him advancing on the final tally sheet. But with prospects such as Cooper Webb, and Jason Anderson out of commis- sion, he felt this was his time to rise, and put in one of the best performances of his career. And that he did, his speed from the past had risen yet again, and the KTM ride was firing all cylinders, echoing off the bark of the forest, as he slashed through the chicanes. His mechanic smacking the pit board with each go around, he knew the momentum he’d generate would translate well to an overall finish. Just behind Benny Bloss at the finish, he was beyond stoked with what his con- sistency had rewarded him, concerning duplicate twelfths; a tenth place overall!
54 GRITMOTO • JULY 31, 2017