Page 18 - ISSUE _38

BLAKE BAGGETT
450 SX / 3RD
IMAGE /MPG WORDS /HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Blake Baggett has not had the season he was hoping for in 2017. The BTO Sports KTM rider has been struggling with bad starts, mistakes and crashes at nearly every round. However, he has shown some flashes of bril- liance with some quick starts in heat races and semis but has not been able to translate those into good main events. His best finish of the year is seventh which he has accomplished twice. He has been close to breaking free and securing a top five and he was determined to do that here in Atlanta.
The California native looked great in practice as he went out and secured the fifth fastest time of the day. It was one of his better practice performances
of the year so he looked to keep it going for the night show. And he would
do just that as he cranked the holeshot in his heat race and took it wire to wire for the easy win. It was a nice, smooth ride and just what the doctored ordered for Baggett as he would try to translate that performance over to
the main event. When the gate dropped for that main, he nearly pulled off another holeshot but would round the second corner in third place behind Alessi and Dungey. If he wanted any hope of contending with Dungey for the lead, he knew he’d have to pass Alessi fast. He made the move in a short two laps but it took just long enough for Dungey to build a nice cushion and establish the lead. From there Baggett logged solid laps in a lonely second until Eli Tomac came storming through late in the race to steal the position. At that point in the race Baggett was happy with a podium spot and did not put up much of a fight. He would finish the race in third stamping a huge season best finish and overall performance. He finally looks to be gelling with his new team and will look to keep the good vibes going next weekend in Toronto.
18 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 26, 2017