Page 50 - Issue-48

JUSTIN HILL
250 MX / 8TH
IMAGE / CAVAZOS WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> It’s riders like Justin Hill who look forward to the outdoors. Not only as new territory to embark on, with more room for the motor to open, multiple types of ter- rain etc. But as a fresh start; you truly only get two times a year where the playing field is perfectly even, and May 20th was one of them. He wanted to prove he wasn’t an SX only rider, and he knew he had to take advantage. With contract talks coming in just a few short months, the time was as ever important to solidify himself as top-star. His practice performance went well, considering how deep this field was. It was truly anyone’s ball game, and he knew it, sparking his self- esteem as he went back to the truck, sitting and contemplating. As he watched his mechanic shine the fender, and lube the chain one last time, he strapped on the helmet, and made his way to the gate. He was ready to roll. 3, 2, 1, and the pack swarmed around him, his peripheral vision full, focusing on the rear tire locking up just in front of him... It was chaos, but he endured, cutting off riders behind him, while trying not to get his front end axed at the same time. A stagnant group lay just ahead, he was wanting to reach out and take positions away so badly, but his body was reaching the lactate threshold, and both arms and legs were slightly fatiguing, the pace a tad too much. He would bring home the eighth place position, just behind Joey Savatgy, after he hovered near the top ten for the majority of the moto. Moto number two saw a rejuvenated pilot, locked in, zeroing on the target as he fought forward in the opening segments; a 19th place start however would force him to work his magic. He was fading just a bit off the lead- ers, but a solid pace nonetheless. Charging with all of his might, his speed down the ledge, prior to the level-bowl turn was impeccable, you could truly tell he wanted this. Looming near the edge of the top ten for the latter half of the moto, the young man crested that last tabletop for the final time, his mechanic, nodding in agreement to a solid performance. He knew he could do better, but his charge to night place was super impressive; but an eighth overall to begin the series wasn’t shabby at all, and he was ready to improve next week.
50 GRITMOTO • MAY 21, 2017