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PHIL NICOLETTI
250 SX / A-1
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / WILSON
>> 2017 had some big changes for Phil Nicoletti. His JGR team finally signed him to a full time rider on their program for one. Two, the team switched from Yamaha’s to Suzuki’s. Three, Phil made his way back down to the 250 program after riding 450’s for the past few seasons. You could look at this as good or bad for Phil with many debates that could go either way. I truly think this is great for Nicoletti and even though he finished a mediocre 17th I know things could have gone the other direction just as easily. Hopefully this article can help people realize how well Phil was actually riding tonight. In his heat race Filthy was rounding out the first turn with a mid pack start but made a slight bobble and ended up on the dirt. By the time the opening lap was fin- ished Phil was already up to 14th and climbing. Two laps later he was on the outside looking in (10th). This is where the JGR Suzuki rider was likely to finish, fortunately for him though Noah Mcconahy made a mistake on the last lap giving Phil the final spot. The #37 knew he had to get a good start in the main event because this A1 track was particularly easier than years past and if you didn’t start upfront you could kiss your chances to a good race goodbye. @filthyphil37 did exactly what he needed to and got his new ride inside of the top 3 from the word go. After racing the 450 class for a few years Nicoletti showed that he wasn’t going to be pushed around by anybody in the small bore class as he banged bars many times with multiple riders within the first 3 corners of the main. A small collision with Mellross in turn three seemed to do its damage on Phils bike, right after Nicoletti was seen looking down at his rear brake lever and that was it for his rejuvenated 250 debut.
128 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 9, 2017