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JEREMY MARTIN
250 SX / 1ST
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Jeremy Martin is no new name to any one who is a fan of dirt bikes. Jeremy has been a top competitor in the 250 class since his rookie season in 2013. Jeremy has been a force to reckon with in the motocross circuit but his skills in the stadiums just weren’t up to par. Martin has been aboard a Yamaha his entire professional career but made the switch in 2017 to Geico Honda. The switch was supposed to revitalize the two time motocross champ but sadly 2017 was a year that Jeremy would gladly forget. Now we are in 2018 and Jeremy looked like he hadn’t got- ten much gured out in the off season but after three mediocre rounds Jeremy has been ghting for the win and crawling himself back into title hopes. In fact if Jeremy didn’t get docked 7 points in Indianapolis he would be 2nd in the championship with only 9 points back of Osborne.
The #6 of Martin looked comfortable early in qualifying and was the 2nd fastest 250 after all sessions where complete. In the rst of three main events Jeremy launched his Geico Honda out of the gate leading the eld into the rst turn. He was pushed a little while entering the turn, forcing him wide and coming out of turn one in 5th. Martin was quick to get to 4th and eventually took 3rd away from Ramette where he would go on to nish. @jeremymartin6 came out around 5th position in race two. Jeremy once again quickly made his way to a podium position by making his way around Ramette and Cantrell. In the nal main event of the night Jeremy was running in 3rd early on the opening lap. J Mart was looking to make the move to 2nd but a poor line choice made him case a jump in the middle of a rhythm section, loosing all his momentum and dropping him back to 5th. Jeremy was quick to regroup and get himself to 4th. While chas- ing the leaders the #6 got handed a gift as Smith and Osborne made contact allowing Martin
to make his way to 3rd around Osborne. Moments later Jeremy powered his way around Osby using an unorthodox line around the outside. Martin was nally in the runner up position and began to apply pressure to Jordan Smith for the lead. Smith made a small mistake at the end of the second set of whoops and Jeremy pounced to the inside inheriting the lead as he pushed Smith wide to the tough blocks. Once the #6 took the lead he quickly opened up a gap on his competition and looked awless on his way to the checkered. This is Jeremy’s second win of the year but his rst one where he is rewarded with full points. 2018 is looking to be a one to remember for the #6 and winning this weekend in his home state of Minneapolis is a memory he wont forget. If Jeremy is riding this well in Supercross it could be a very long season for his competitors come The Lucas Oil Motocross season.
28 GRITMOTO • APRIL 15, 2018