Page 130 - ISSUE _38

CODY GILMORE
450 SX / 20TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / COPELAND DESIGN / WILSON
>> Omaha, Nebraska product, Cody Gilmore, is coming into the 8th round of the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross season with the hopes to qualify for the night’s main event for the first time since Phoenix where he finished 22nd. Qualifying wouldn’t go so smooth for the privateer Kawa- saki pilot, qualifying 26th and well off the pace that the top riders had
set. The struggles would continue for Gilmore as a bad start and a tough track to pass on would lead to a 10th place finish, forcing him to head into the semi to try and make it into the main for the first time in a few rounds. After a bad start in the heat, things wouldn’t improve much in the semi. He was buried off the start and crossed the line in 9th on the first lap. He would battle the entire race sandwiched between the Enticknap brothers eventually making his way into 8th where he would finish. He would have to try and race his way into the main through the last chance qualifier. Gilmore would start 3rd but would quickly move into 2nd after making a good move on Kiesel. He would go on to maintain that position and finish behind Weimer, qualifying for the night’s only points paying 450 race. A bad gate pick in the main is always better than not qualifying. Cody would start his main in 20th place, behind Nick Schmidt, and with some work to do if he wanted to move further inside of the top 20. The track had become rough by the main event, forcing many of the riders to choose the same lines through most of the track, which made it hard to pass. Eventually going a lap down and battling with the tough conditions, Gilmore would finish the race in 20th. After a rough start to the night, Gilmore can build off of this finish and try to bring some more confidence into next weekend.
130 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 26, 2017