Page 40 - Issue_78

JASON ANDERSON
450 MX / 3RD
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> As the second round is upon us, the Glen Helen Outdoor National offers a place of both redemption and reiteration. Redemption, in the sense of a lackluster Hangtown performance; as there are those who think they can much better than the opening round provided. Others, on the opposite end of the spectrum, want to reiterate their performance of the inaugural race in the se- ries. They feel they rode well, and want to back it up with another solid outing, here in San Ber- nardino. Jason Anderson wanted to wipe away his Hangtown performance, and show he could run up front, just as he did in the SX Championship. It was in practice where he looked to set the tone, one of the rst on the track, in a blitzkrieg like manner. Letting the 450 roar, echoing off the walls of the surrounding hills, put everyone in attendance on high alert; as they were aware to his position on the track at all times. The chassis would dance down the multitude of downhills, but his vision remained forward, doing everything in his fashion to cite a stellar quali cation position. Once concluded, he was satis ed, and ready for the races to begin. The gate would fall, and his 450 would entrench a gigantic rut around the hinges of the launch pad. Storming throughout the rst lap, he would open up the event in third place. It was he and Musquin nding themselves in conjunction with one another, the two in a tandem of quarrels. Dashing through the switchbacks of the in eld, these moguls began to grow and become more jagged with every passing; but he wouldn’t ever falter. Musquin would hound, as Roczen and Tomac would scorn the eld out front. And although a stingy stake would be upheld by the number twenty one, he would be overtaken by Musquin near the halfway point. By the end of the moto, he would nd comfortable positioning in fourth place; he would nish here and look forward for what was to come. The board would go sideways, and the eld would storm into the dust that loomed ahead. Emerging from the rubble near rst, his vision was rather clear in comparison to those behind him. After a tad bit of track watering, he had to adjust with the small bits of moisture still standing within the ruts, and on the hard-packed, slick surfaces of blue-grooved compost. He could adjust his style on cue, toggling between a at-track and motocross persona in an instant. While out front, Anderson felt the pressure from Tomac, as he began to inch nearer as the moto would dwindle on, but he would put his nose to the grindstone, and continue to chip away with proceeding laps. However, he just couldn’t hold the number one of Tomac back, who would make the move with a mere two laps to go, as many would question the clutch of Anderson’s machine. By the end of the moto, he would come across the last stripe in second, with a stellar performance. Once results were cumulated, he would take the third overall position for the day.
40 GRITMOTO • MAY 27, 2018