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BROC TICKLE
450 SX / 7TH
IMAGE / REEVES WORDS / WARNER DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> It was a better weekend for Broc Tickle, not great, but better. It’s the same song we keep singing each week, but Broc’s got to have that breakout ride we have all been expecting to see in 2018, and now with Justin Brayton taking a win last weekend that has to be enough spark to light a fire under any veteran rider. Qualifying in the eighth spot Saturday Brock lined up for Heat One. A good start in second had Broc right where he wanted to be if he wanted to start his case towards finally landing on the podium this season. However, on lap two he’d lose the spot to Dean Wilson who pulled away easily. Tyler Bowers would then proceed to fall while leading the race so Broc would get the second spot back only to lose it to a blazing fast Justin Brayton and finishing his Heat Race in third place. Going into the Main Event there is no ques- tion that Justin Brayton’s win last weekend in Daytona was on his mind. Thinking “if he can win, there is no reason I can’t win.” Broc’s starts were on point in both races in St. Louis as he proceeded to start inside the top five for the second time. He started fourth behind 450 class front-runners Tomac, Anderson, and Musquin. This is where Broc needed to be, he needed to latch onto Musquin and go with him. However, he just didn’t quite have the pace he needed to hang on. He would only hold fourth place for a couple laps before Justin Brayton would push him to fifth. A top five would have been a great finish for Broc and for KTM as it would made for both of their factory riders inside the top five. However, Broc could only hold on until lap eleven before Weston Peick and Blake Baggett would catch and pass him. Broc would then ride out the remainder of the race in seventh. St. Louis was a good finish for Broc, only six rounds remain now and after Brayton’s win last week a lot of fans would love to see another veteran rider take a win. Broc seems to have his starts figured out, he just needs to maintain his position off those good starts, fight back when guys pass him.
It might seem like something that’s “easier said than done,” people tend to forget, but Broc is a previous 250 Champion, Broc has what it takes to win!
26 GRITMOTO • MARCH 18, 2018
