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DYLAN FERRANDIS
250 MX / 12TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / TILLS
>> Coming from across the pond, the European climate isn’t nearly as gro- tesque, (in terms of heat that is), in comparison to the United States. Not only does one have to deal with adapting to a new culture, but the atmosphere can weigh immensely on an athlete, who’s never been forced to compete under some of the toughest forces mother nature can offer. Dylan Ferrandis has been able to acknowledge, adapt, and overcome all odds thus far, taking a gigantic step out of his comfort zone, in hopes of solidifying himself as the best 250 rider on the planet. And in the present, there was no better place to do it, rather than here at Muddy Creek Raceway. Caught up in the log-jam of turn number one, as the pack barricaded themselves into the opening left hander, he was forced to pick his bike up off the turf, and remount side-saddle as he pinned the Yamaha down the gradual right bend. Looking to claw his way through traffic, he bothered using no turn signals, or flashing lights, but choosing the absolute fastest route possible, no matter who was around him. Working his way to riders like Steven Clarke, and Luke Renzland mid-moto, his endurance was on a linear-type track, while everyone around him appeared to be fading. His hard work through the week was paying off, so much so that he would actually crack the top ten! With
a ninth place finish, the team couldn’t ask for much more. After packing his gate for the second round, the Yamaha’s tread dug feverishly into the ground, the front wheel packing mid-way up the start straight. Another mishap would force him into the 20’s for the green flag, forcing him to work his way up meticulously. Fighting with the likes of Nick Gaines, Renzland yet again, and Lorenzo Locur- cio, he couldn’t seem to pivot the Yamaha like he was the first moto. The front end seemed to wash in the right hander prior to the finish line, his foot dabbing what seemed like once a lap; the milliseconds added up quickly, and he would fade just a tad each go around. Unfortunately this wouldn’t be a highlight of the season, coming across the stripe in fifteenth place, and twelfth overall.
82 GRITMOTO • JUNE 25, 2017