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COLE SEELY
450 MX / 8TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / TILLS
>> Millville has been home to spectacular performances over the past few de- cades. Ranging from the hometown hero of Donny Schmidt, to the unbelievable ride by Ricky Carmichael through the mud of the 2000’s; it’s played host to so many standout feats, it would be hard to rival with the present day competition. However, Cole Seely feels he can handle the challenge, and cement his name in the record books as a performance that can be talked for months to come. His effort from the time he placed tread on the track was apparent, the chain slap- ping with the tire gyrating to the highest degree. He was finding a clever rhythm through the infamous roller section, doubling, and at times trying to triple as the rebound would propel him over the next mogul. Nodding his head in agreement as he rolled past the fans, he knew the time had come for him to set sail on the competition. The gate would fall, and his toe would click the shifter in perfect unison, the tread of his gripper seat tying hold to his figure. Pushing through
the field, he found himself in fourth for quite sometime, but beginning to fade as the moto went on. It wasn’t his comfortable aspect, like Supercross, and it was showing; although his effort level was through the roof. He would find Christian Craig during the latter portion of the moto, and the tandem would latch on to one another, as he would conclude the race in eighth place. The second round, saw the number 14 show a bit of his amateur roots, charging from the moment the gate would fall, although he was buried in 16th. Each lap, the mechanic writing across the pit board “YOU CAN” provided a few words of encouragement for
the California native. He knew he couldn’t pass anyone while riding behind him, therefore his line choice was rather creative. It was the only thing he could do, and it would propel past Barcia, and Craig this time, his heart rate through the roof. Coming across the final stripe in sixth, he would garner an eighth overall.
28 GRITMOTO • JULY 23, 2017