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WESTON PEICK
450 MX / 6TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / TILLS
>> Weston Peick’s struggle with consistency continued last weekend at Unadilla. After a sixth-place finish in the first moto he struggled mightily in the mud of the second moto and finished twentieth. That day epitomized how the 2017 season has gone for Peick. He will have one strong moto in or near the top five and struggle in the other moto albeit a mechanical, crash, or mistake. So, after that thirteenth overall performance last week- end, Peick entered Budds Creek determined to avenge that and have a complete day.
Peick had a decent pair of qualifying practice sessions and emerged from them with the tenth fastest lap times. The track was deep and soft meaning it would roughen up as the day goes on suiting his style. He was ready to do battle.
Peick hammered out of the gate into fifth at the beginning of moto one. He immediately fell under pressure from Blake Baggett which pushed him forward to Matt Bisceglia. He fended off Baggett and passed Bisceglia on lap three but bobbled hard on lap four send- ing Bisceglia back by and just like that he was back under fire from Baggett as well as Musquin. Musquin would actually pass both of them sending Peick back to sixth. Baggett continued to apply pressure and Peick held on for a while but finally succumbed to it at the halfway point when Baggett finally found a way around. Shortly after that, Tomac would work his way around as well but Peick did not make it easy holding him off for a few laps. Now back in eighth, Peick would ride it out there all the way to the finish.
Peick began moto two with a great start rounding the opening lap in third place. He held it for a few laps before Tomac worked his way by sending him back to fourth. He looked good up there in fourth for the first half of the moto but fell victim to Wilson and Musquin on successive laps around the halfway marker. He slid to sixth where he dug in and did not let anyone else by. Cooper Webb applied pressure late but to no avail. Peick would bring home the sixth making it 8-6 for sixth overall on the day. It was his best finish in nearly two months as he finally put together a consistent day. Look for him to enjoy it so much he goes out and does it again at the finale in Crawfordsville, Indiana next week- end.
22 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 20, 2017