Page 96 - MPG20

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Since he’s proved he’s worthy of running with the leaders, the confidence levels of the #214 Kawasaki are already making it known that he’s come ready to mix it up in the front pack. If weren’t even more of a statement, Forkner came out of morning qualifiers with a 4th place pick, just behind the Martin brothers and Joey Savatgy. Despite the pre-race placement though, Austin had a rough first moto when he went down in the first few laps while running 8th place solid early on. Once Forkner regained the composure he was submerged in the pack
finding himself in 36th before turning around the leaderboard. Eyes forward, Austin picked off multiple positions a lap, reaching 23rd as the race headed into the final ten minutes. Ceasing to give up, Forkner kept pushing into 19th were he resonated for a moment before making the final push around Tonus and Cunningham for 17th at the checkers. Wasting no time in making up for the mishap, moto two was a fresh start for the Phenom as he came out of the gate in the top ten, settling into 6th as they crossed the line to begin lap two. Riding with the lead pack, the guys were motionless early on but it didn’t take too long for Alex Martin to get by Forkner but Austin was placed back in 6th when he got around the downed teammate of Cianciarulo who crashed in the early laps. Pulling up on McElrath, both eleven seconds behind the leader, Savatgy, Forkner found his way around the #30 KTM and was into 5th for the next few laps. Once Alex Martin got around Davalos for 2nd, the #49 Husqvarna rider faded back quickly allowing the young Forkner by for 4th where he would finish the day with a 9th overall. While it may be his worst overall yet, moto two goes again to show the “Farm Boy” is the real deal and hopes to make 2016 more exciting than the first three rounds have already lived up to.
96 GRITMOTO • JUNE.6.16
words/BRENTECKERT