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PAULS JONASS
250 MXGP / 7TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / TILLS
>> The turmoil leading up to this event made many people question whether this race would even come to fruition. A battle of property rights had the course change its location in a mere instant, forcing all crews involved to create something in the 23rd hour. With all of the chaos looming over both teams and riders, one athlete remained headstrong; and that was Pauls Jonass. Blistering throughout practice, he was shaking the hand of his team manager once underneath the semi, recap- ping the qualifying efforts. Next up, race time; and a full pit of steam was coming out from underneath the muzzle of his helmet as he belted off the line. Digging through this potting soil type composite, the ruts were getting deeper and deeper by the lap. There was no stopping his flow however, as the clutch lever, at times, was seen digging the smallest of trenches nearest the inside haybale. He was doling all he could, battling the likes of Jeremy Seewer and Brent Van Doninck. These efforts would suffice to a finish of tenth. For round number two, a fresh gear change allowed him to feel both professional and clean, looking to march towards the front after a rather costly mistake in the opening few bends. The number plate, cleaned from the rigorous bike washing, was quickly plastered with sand, his number hardly being able to be made out as he crossed timing and scoring. It was of no distraction to him, as long as he could see out of a bit of his peripheral, that’s all he needed to keep it pinned. It would pay off, as his laptimes were showing a bit of advancement, all the while rallying to a checkered flag. He would go on to charge, after coming in contact with Jeremy Seewer near the halfway point; his efforts would place him in fifth place nearing the checkered flag, equating into a seventh overall.
52 GRITMOTO • SEPTEMBER 4, 2017