Page 38 - Issue_60

CHRISTIAN CRAIG
250 SX / 5TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> The first round of the series has come upon us; a platform for all vigorous efforts in the off-season to come to fruition. Just as a seed that has been planted, with the proper amount of nutrient and adequate resources, these competitors can blossom at just the right time, wait- ing for all in attendance to marvel. Lap after lap on the practice track, each mile clicked off in agony aboard the road bike, and strength training regimens being overcome with lactic acid, is where the races on Saturday evenings are truly earned. This night, this particular moment, is something that Christian Craig has visualized through the process of repetition and foreshad- owing. A constant replay, of heading the front of the field, the audience providing a standing ovation, sends chills up the spine of this fierce competitor. Coming into the practice rounds,
he was equipped with all, mind, body, and spirit, looking to provide his competition with a true spectacle. A crouched position scooting down the multitude of straightaways, his right elbow was always in the full throttle angle. Slightly dragging the rear brake, his chassis would swap ever so slightly going into the following inside. Skying over the finish line double, he looked to head into the mechanics area, just to get a few clicks of the suspension adjusted; after a brief conversation, he would return back to the track, throwing down some of his best times, and call it a session, ready for qualifying. He lined up for the heat race, in the most optimum gate possible; the earth still relatively fresh, being this early in the evening. Clicking off the line,
his heel would catch fourth as he barreled into the opening bend. Fighting tooth and nail with the best on the West Coast, he knew his level of competition would rise, therefore he would have to join. Pushing past the mechanics, he would nod his head, nearly clipping the pitboard with each go around. He was being fueled with the roar of the crowd, his laptimes holding steady with the latter part of the field. Never shying away from competition, his tripling antic after the start straight, had him pivoting through the following right; dumping the clutch at the best possible time. He would never notice who was just at his rear fender, and would hang
on for the duration of the moto, although a hard fought effort; claiming a solid second overall position for the main event-qualifying slot. After a solid start, he would pummel through the field, displaying his true originality of “veteranism.” Wheel tapping wherever he could, it wasn’t enough to fend off the charge, of the likes of Plessinger, Cianciarulo, and Joey Savatgy. With many questioning his stamina, his elbows started to sag in the dwindling laps; however, he remained constant, pushing with a pack ripping towards his rear tread. He would muster a fifth place finish, knowing he had to relax during the next round.
38 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 8, 2018