Page 17 - MPG-AUGUST

MITCHELL FALK
Following a title in the 250 B division at Loretta Lynn’s 2017, Mitchell Falk wasn’t able to back it up in the A class the following year. The Orange Brigade rider has gained another year of experi- ence in the pro division and is one of the favorites to stand on top of the box in either 250 A or Open Pro Sport due to a strong run of performances throughout the year. Falk bagged a couple of championships and a multitude of podium finishes at the Daytona RCSX, Freestone, and the Cal Classic -- only finishing off the overall podium on one occasion at all three events. The Californian put himself on top of the box in three out of four attempts at his Loretta Lynn Qualifiers; finishing first and second in 250 A and Open Pro Sport, respectively, at the Midwest Youth Regional.
He’s coming off of a solid trip out to Mammoth Motocross where he landed a couple of top five finishes on his KTM 250 in a stacked field of competition with a bit of horsepower advantage. It’s going to be a level playing field when the gate drops at Loretta Lynn’s and it goes without saying that Falk’s going to be dicing it up at the sharp end of the field, hunting down his second Loretta Lynn MX National Championship.
AIDEN
TIJERO
Aiden Tijero has had somewhat of a breakout year in 2018, flying out of the starting blocks by winning an abundance of titles throughout the spring. The Orange Brigade rider was a force to be reckoned with on his KTM 125 and remained fiercely competitive in the 250 classes as well. The Californian was able to win the first 125 Dream Race of the 2018 Pro Motocross season on home turf at Hangtown, beating former pros such as Ryan Villopoto and Will Hahn. Tijero managed to stay on the podium throughout his Loretta Lynn MX Qualifiers, finishing no worse than third
on his road to the Ranch. He has one previous Loretta Lynn Amateur National Championship to his name, finishing on top of the 65 (10-11) Limited class back in 2013. Since then, the KTM rider has only made it back to the overall podium once in Hurricane Mills. His 2017 campaign
at the Amateur National Championships was marred by injuries that forced him
to spend the majority of his time in the motorhome, providing him with loads of incentive to rebound in a big way this year. Tijero has made some significant strides throughout the 2018 season, proving with his results and his attitude on and off the track that he’s ready to get back on top at the Ranch.
WWW.MOTOPLAYGROUND.COM
17
RIT