Page 20 - ISSUE88

JUSTIN COOPER
250 MX / 5TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Years before have foreshadowed what type of weather this round may bring. If you think back, we’ve seen this scenario before unfortunately. Hours of monsoon like rain, making this track an unpleasant sight to many in attendance. However, Justin Cooper had a pleasant mentality when walking the perimeter of the track prior to practice. He knew that if he could just get off the gate, and establish an early pace, that his day would be much smoother; rather than the subsequent ghting through the pack notion following a lackluster jump. With qualifying concluding, he knew the memo could be sat in place, as his position allowed him to have a somewhat straight shot to the rst corner. Immediately, he sprung off the line, clicking into third, fourth, and even fth for a mere second, before dodging downed riders in the next off-cambered and down hill sequence. Launching in- bound, off the tabletop and prior to the uphill triple, a close call of rear-end sliding had him readjust his pace, but still push forward regardless. It was truly an uphill battle, ghting while climbing the valleys and pacing the lead group, which would pop up in his peripheral view. Looking to manual all the way through the roller section prior to the nish, it was merely his skidplate hitting the tops of each mound, all the while blitzing by the crowd. Pushing the competitor to the wayside, he had to remain focused on this time clock, as it slowly trickle down. Once striking zero, it was time for the last few ags to y, and an im- minent notice inside his brain to set off a noti cation of staying up. He would abide by his gut instincts, staying upright, and nishing third. Looking to resurge for the second moto, he would wade through these waters to nd himself around the ninth position early on. No matter if the course were wet or dry, his true tenacity would show, and he would look to storm ahead. His small frame allowed him to stay light on the bike, and the crowd new of his true, raw speed that he’d shown throughout the series. He could feel an unusual oppo- nent at his rear, yet he wasn’t going to allow Justin Rodbell to steal his glory. He would roll on, pressing towards the nish, absolutely covered in Indiana soil. A seventh place moto nish, would position him with a solid fth overall.
20 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 26, 2018