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PHIL NICOLETTI
450 MX / 3RD
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> When dealing with the competitive realm of sports, there’s always a distinct category
of home and away, in regards to playing terms. With motocross being an individual sport, although there isn’t necessarily a clear one-on-one territory, there are certain tracks and conditions where riders feel most comfortable. Riders near the Great Lakes, Northeastern seaboard, and Floridian coasts are accustomed to the sand, west coast riders are keen on the hard pack, and many riders from the New York area feel at home in the mud; espe- cially when it covers the layout of Unadilla. Playing right into the hands of Phil Nicoletti’s strong suit, as he adored the track as rain would pour for morning festivities. Feeling the ow all throughout quali cation, he would get situated behind the gate for moto number one, and be ready to rock. Storming out of the line, the eld would splash and be heav-
ily saturated in their quest for the green ag. It was Dylan Merriam out front early, but
the number fty-four was on the move. Leapfrogging into second early on, he put Blake Baggett to the wayside. With rain still coming down, the mud was actually manageable, as the water could allow new lines and certain slop to be washed away. Pacing Musquin out front, he continued to launch the sky-tabletop, despite walking a tightrope up the face. It was a matter of will-power and concentration, as he steadily moved up with both bike and body steaming. He felt the pressure of Tomac, and it would boil to a head on lap seven, as the number one moved by. But still, his power pushed through, keeping him ascending to- ward the summit. The checkered ag was ride around the corner, and the Husqvarna team couldn’t be more ecstatic as he crossed the line. A third place nish was truly exceptional, and he was ready to duplicate it again for round two. The second moto began with a little easier track to navigate, as a few lines had developed, but the majority was still as deep as ever. A holeshot had him leading the eld and trying to spray the rest with this chocolate cake batter beneath. Pulling ever so slightly, a small mistake would nd Musquin pass-
ing on the inside of a left-hander, and he would steadily begin to drop from there. Tomac would be next in line, although both running a blistering pace. The teammates of Barcia and Webb would have an insanely competitive battle, yet still nd the pace to push pass Nicoletti. However, coming across the line in fth, would be enough to generate an overall podium nish. It was one of the proudest moments of his racing career!
40 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 12, 2018