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ALEX MARTIN
250 MX / 2ND
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / TILLS
>> After finding much success on Yamahas many fans of the sport where alarmed to see Alex Martin turn to KTM in 2017. Alex started the year off strug- gling in Supercross but has turned things around in the Motocross series. Although A.Mart is trailing by nearly 50 points in the championship hunt he is likely the only rider other then Osborne with a realistic chance at the title. The TLD KTM rider came into round 8 with a lot of confidence as his parents own and operate the Spring Creek track. Alex started the first race in 4th position but quickly got into a podium position by getting around his brother Jeremy. While running in 3rd the #26 got a gift from Hampshire who miss-hifted in uphill rut leaving Alex to inherit 2nd. This left Alex nearly the entire race to catch and pass Joey Savatgy for the lead. Although A.Mart did get close to Joey a few times
he was unable to make a move for the lead and had to settle for 2nd in moto 1. Finishing 2nd gave Alex as good of chance as any at winning the overall but a bad start in the second race had him playing catch up. When the riders came around the first lap Alex was just inside of the top ten in 9th while first moto win- ner was leading the field once again. Throughout the whole race Alex had to eat the roost of his competitors. In the final five minutes of the race the #26 made two very valuable passes on Adam Cianciarulo and his brother Jeremy to secure 4th in the race and 2nd overal on the day. This was extremely crucial for Alex because it put a small dent in Osbornes lead in the points. The gap is now at 43 points and with four rounds remaining and 200 points up for grabs anything can happen and if the sport of motocross has proven anything it is that its not over until its over.
34 GRITMOTO • JULY 23, 2017