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BLAKE BAGGETT
450 SX / A-1
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Blake Baggett came into 2017 aboard a new team. He signed with BTO Sports KTM in the offseason and put in some serious work to come into the year as a contender. He’s shown flashes of potential on a 450 in the past few years but injuries have held him back. However, he is currently injury-free and looked to take advantage of the good fortune at A1. He threw down a great qualifying time coming away with the sixth fast- est time in the ultra competitive premier class. He carried that momentum into the heat races where he went out and nailed the holeshot. He tried holding onto the number one position but a confident Eli Tomac came storming through and took the lead away rather quickly. Baggett held strong and did not let him get too far and took home the second and headed straight to the main. Baggett took advantage of the nice gate pick he had and got out to a decent sixth place position to start the main event. Unfortunately, he would not take advantage of it for too long because he would go down on lap two and fall way back to last place. Buried way behind the field, he now had nothing to lose and just put his head down to get back in the race. Every point matters at every race and he was not about to let some slip away without a fight. He would only claw up to fourteenth but he put forth a great effort. Baggett showed signs that he can mix it up at the front this year but he’ll just need a little better luck in the mains.
80 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 9, 2017