Page 32 - Issue_78

AUSTIN FORKNER
250 MX / 10TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> It is hard to believe this is already Austin Forkner’s third outdoor motocross series. He still has that new guy label and vibe to him and maybe that has to do with his blazing fast speed but glaring inconsistency. Both of those attributes are very common of newer riders on the circuit and Forkner is doing his best to become one of the more mature and consistent riders out there. 2018 has treated him with some big ups and downs so far particularly in Supercross. He was tied for the points lead with reigning champion, Zach Osborne, before crashing and breaking his collarbone. This forced him out of the remainder of the series and allowed him to hone in on the outdoors with the little prep time he had for Hangtown. Forkner showed off his speed yet again during the rst moto there at the opener ghting through a little fatigue to notch a fourth in the rst moto but in moto two he got some ribs knocked out of place when his holeshot button released straight into his chest on the gate drop. He got all patched up during the week and was ready to duke it out at Glen Helen.
Forkner endured a modest qualifying effort in the morning practice sessions. The hotshot from Missouri put down the eighth fastest lap time and couldn’t wait for the track to dry up for race time. It was soft and pretty wet in practice, so he was anticipating his lap times improving once the track opened up a bit.
Moto one could not have started much worse for Forkner. He emerged from the opening lap nearly in last place. He got the green ag in thirty-eighth and was forced to just put his head down and ride forward. The track was long and rough giving him more opportunity to pass people and it certainly helped. He clawed from way back in virtually last place all the way to nish thirteenth for the moto. It was a gnarly come from behind ride and he was hoping he didn’t have to do it again in moto two.
Forkner began the second moto much more favorably than the rst. He nearly snagged the holeshot and rounded lap one in second place behind Alex Martin. However, this breath of fresh air up front was short lived because he had pressure immediately from some heavy hitters. Zach Osborne, Joey Savatgy, Jeremy Martin, and rst moto winner Aaron Plessinger all bullied their way around Forkner and bumped him back to sixth by lap ve. Forkner kept fth place Savatgy in check for a while but eventually lost touch. Late in the moto, he received pressure from Justin Cooper and this forced Forkner to increase the pace. This pace increase resulted in them nearly catching Osborne in the nal laps, but nothing came of any of it. Forkner would nish right there in sixth. His 13-6 moto scores earned him tenth overall. Not the result he’d be happy with but with the injuries he’s been dealing with, it is not so bad.
32 GRITMOTO • MAY 27, 2018