Page 78 - Issue-48

JEREMY MARTIN
250 MX / 11TH
IMAGE / CAVAZOS WORDS / KUHLHOFF DESIGN / WILSON
>> What a rollercoaster start to the season for Geico Honda’s Jeremy Martin. With two championships in his corner and more career moto wins (23-14) than the entire 250 class combined, J Mart was definitely a force to be reckoned with amongst his competi- tors. Hangtown was shaping up to be a rough and tough, “create your own line” type of track where the start of the moto could make or break you. All eyes were fixated on the only single digit on the line: the number 6 machine. As the gates dropped for moto one, everyone was surprised to see Jeremy Martin in the ninth place position. At the half- way point, Jeremy was able to gain a couple of positions and found himself in seventh place, right behind his brother Alex. Just as Jeremy Martin made his way into sixth place, misfortune struck. Jeremy Martin’s bike died and flashbacks of a mechanical issue at High Point last year all danced in our minds- was this foreshadowing another “title or bust” type of season for Jeremy? The Minnesota native finished moto one in thirty-fifth place. Jeremy Martin had no choice but to prove himself a true title contender in the second moto. Yes, track conditions were worsening and the heat was rising but we all had faith in Jeremy Martin as he lined up for moto two; we all knew that he had what it takes. Off the start, we saw the Honda in ninth place once again and he needed to start picking through the pack fast if he wanted a decent overall. Halfway through the second moto, Jeremy Martin truly started finding his pace and he found himself in the fifth place spot. Martin then passed Plessinger for fourth and soon found himself behind Austin Forkner. A heated end of the moto battle was on between Austin and Jeremy. They were soon on the tail of Jeremy Martin’s brother Alex, who was in second. For- kner then got close enough to Alex Martin to make the pass and as soon as Forkner made the move, Jeremy did the same and made a pass on his brother. Jeremy Martin finished the second moto in third place and proved to everyone that the former two-time champ was here to race. A 35-3 gave Jeremy a redeeming eleventh overall. It’s early in the season, but hopefully Jeremy Martin can show us what he is made of while avoid- ing any mishaps. I would love to see J Martin crowned a three-time champ, but only time will tell as the, bound to be exciting, season unfolds.
78 GRITMOTO • MAY 21, 2017