Page 28 - Issue-48

COLE SEELY
450 MX / 8TH
IMAGE / CAVAZOS WORDS / ROEWER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Cole Seely has never been known for his skills on the outdoor track, but each year he has slowly been improving his results inching closer and closer to consistency on that podium. The Honda HRC rider rode a strong 2016 sea- son, but had to sit out a couple rounds due to a badly broken finger. Looking to continue developing his outdoor skills, Seely has been putting in the time. Starting off the season qualifying twelfth for the day, Seely needed to make some adjustments before the motos started. Putting the power to the ground out of the gate for moto one, Seely was up in 7th on the first lap behind the New Zealand rider Cody Cooper. Wasting no time to move forward Seely makes a couple passes up to 5th. Riding comfortably in 5th for several laps, the Honda rider was staying consistent and mistake free. Over halfway into the moto he caught up to the rookie, Cooper Webb. The Yamaha rider kept all his defensives up as Seely put him under attack trying to make the pass. As they entered the tricky quarter pipe Seely kept it pinned and moved up to 4th place. Hanging on through to the finish the Honda HRC rider was just outside the podium for moto one. Trying to repeat his good start in moto two Seely jumped out of the gate and into 14th. Not exactly where he wanted to start the moto he kept his head high and moving forward. He makes several passes up to 10th just a few laps in, that started a battle with Weston Peick. Going back and forth multiple times, Seely was able to come out on top. In the heat of
the battle they lost two positions to Anderson and Baggett. Now back in 12th Seely was almost right where he begun. Running out of time in the race, Seely finished off the moto back in 12th. After going 4-12 he grabbed himself an 8th overall finish for round one.
28 GRITMOTO • MAY 21, 2017