Page 20 - MPG MAY 2018

MITCHELL FALK
Mitchell Falk has been on a tear since winning
a pair of titles at the 2017 iteration of the Thor Winter Olympics, the Californian continued to rack up titles throughout the spring. He showed up in his home state for the 2018 FMF Cal Classic one week after sweeping the Glen Helen AQ with his confidence at an all-time high. The competition was stiff at the Cal Classic, but Falk remained unphased as he escaped from the weekend with a first in 450 Pro, a second in Open Pro, and a fourth overall in 250 A. Falk only finished off the podium in two out of nine motos at Pala Raceway over the course of the Cal Classic (both in the 250 A division) but a moto win allowed him to salvage fourth overall. The Orange Brigade backed rider was utterly dominant aboard his 450 on the other hand, winning all three motos in dominant fashion in the 450 Pro Division on his way to the title.
In the Open Pro Class, Falk recorded a third, second, and first place finish in order to earn second overall. The Californian has established himself as one of the men to beat in the A class throughout the beginning of the racing season and that reputation will surely continue throughout the remainder of the season.
AIDEN TIJERO
The beginning of the 2018 racing season served as a proving grounds
for Aiden Tijero. The Orange Brigade backed rider collected a total of seven number one plates leading up to the California Classic, sending a message to his closest rivals in the process. The Californian was one of many riders competing on home soil at the 2018 FMF California Classic at Pala Race- way, attempting to keep up his run of solid form at the final spring event of the season. Tijero contested 125 (12-16) B/C, Schoolboy 1, the FMF 2 Stroke Challenge, and the 250 B Limited division. Throughout the four separate classes, the Orange Brigade backed
hot shot recorded a total of two second place overall finishes, a third, and a first. He only finished off the podium in one third of the twelve motos that he con- tested and his worst finish of ninth place was the only time he placed outside of the top five. Tijero’s speed and consis- tency throughout the weekend was to be admired, including his ability to do
it on both a 125 and 250. At this point, this has been one of the most success- ful years of the Californian’s amateur career and it’s likely that he’ll continue to keep the ball rolling as the season progresses.
20 MPG • MAY • 2018
the dirty