Page 34 - ISSUE _38

ALEX MARTIN
250 SX / 2ND
IMAGE /MPG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> Air traffic control is always on heightened alert in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. The city is home to arguably the world’s busiest airport; Boeing’s constantly in an airway
of controlled chaos, the skies strikingly similar to what’s being displayed inside the Georgia dome on this particular February weekend. To be a pilot, one must remain precise, controlled under pressure. No matter the amount of turbulence, forecasted weather conditions, or variables that can go wrong with the machine, he dictates where the vehicle goes. A Supercross competitor is the exact same. With a rider such as Alex Martin, he knows all too well what types of things can be thrown his way once he steps foot on the hollowed grounds of the premier motorcycle series in the world. Not only does he adapt tremendously well to the changing track conditions and layouts each and every week, he has a distinct characteristic of remaining poised once things start to go wrong. That trait has allowed him to wiggle through traffic all throughout
his career, and Atlanta was no different. Following a spectacular third place start, he inherited second place after Ferrandis’ tipover in the opening moments. A completely opposite sequence of events compared to last week, it was a rather pleasant sight for the number 26. He quickly found himself in a heated dual with the number 16 of Zach Osborne, a former partner in business with the Club MX entity, but no love was lost between the two; as they collided on two separate occasions, prior to Osborne mak- ing the move with a stretching leap into the sand. As Osborne pushed into the lead, a slowly dwindling Jordon Smith was coming within grasp of the number 26. He would overtake his teammate in a changing of the guard, and looked to hold down the fort
in the runner-up position. However, Smith would rally back, fighting tooth and nail for the runner up spot. The two teammates would somehow come together prior to the triple jump, and unfortunately push the 44 onto the surrounding concrete. The never 26 didn’t falter, and kept the sight ahead in second. He would hold on, a spectacular finish for the guy to rebound from last week. Kudos to the number 26, a well-deserved momentum swing.
34 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 26, 2017