Page 100 - MPG_JANUARY

DEREK DRAKE / MOTOCROSS
With the professional ranks looming just around the corner, many riders in the 250 Pro Sport class, adopted a mentality of now or never. It was now or never, that they must rise above their opposition, doing whatever necessary to claim the next spot in line. Because they knew good and well, that if they didn’t take any opportunity that came near, someone else would. It marked out any feelings of compla- cency, and replaced them with hunger that wasn’t satisfied from Thanksgiving dinner. For moto number one, it was the boss-man from Texas, Carter Halpain truly sending it throughout the numerous peaks and valleys of Gatorback Cycle Park. Known for his big-air antics, he was launching off the finish line with absurd velocities, all the while pulling tearoff’s with an exaggerated wrist motion. Derek Drake, the man in the runner-up position, had just relieved the pressure of Ashton Dickinson, while trying to run down the number 17 outfront. The first and second rides of Halpain and Drake were moving at violent speeds, almost getting too aggressive at times. Halpain com- posed as ever out front, would go on to set the fastest lap time of the moto, a 1:53, and take the win, leading all four laps in commanding
100 MPG • JANUARY • 2017