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JORDON SMITH
250 SX / 3RD
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Jordon Smith somehow seems to almost be an underdog. For some reason all every- one talked about was how it was coming down to an Osborne / Forkner battle for the title in 2018. Here we are seven rounds into the series and Smith is holding down second in points and knocking on the door or Osborne.
The #45 of Smith seemed a touch off pace of his title competitors as he was nearly two seconds slower then Osborne in the nal qualifying session. When the night show started Smith found himself trailing the leaders while he was in 8th. Jordon made a ton of passes on the opening lap to put himself in 3rd. @smitty.45 got around Thomas Romette on the second lap to take 2nd where he would go on to nish. The Red Bull TLD KTM rider got out to an early lead in the second main event. Sadly Smith got bumped back to 2nd by Osborne. Jordon went into the nal main event with the Triple Crown lead with a total of 4 points. Smith crossed the holeshot line in 9th place, with rapid reactions he was able
to get into 3rd right away. Jordon came up the inside of Osborne after the second set of whoops and was able to push the #1E to the outside while putting Smith into 2nd. Smith began his charge to the front and before the lap was nished he made his way around Osby for the lead. Unfortunately for Smith he made a small mistake exiting the whoops and allowed room for Jeremy Martin to get inside of him exactly the same way Smith did to Osborne. Jeremy pushed Smith right to the tough blocks putting Jordon in 2nd. Sadly this allowed Osborne to come alongside of the KTM rider down the straight. Jordon did every- thing in his power to hold the line and both riders didn’t let off. The KTM got a little tangled with Zach and this made Jordon loose balance for a slight second forcing him to the dirt. Fortunately his bike stayed running and he was un injured. On the other hand his chances at winning the Triple Crown went down the drain. When the checkered ag ew Smith tied in points with Martin and Osborne, but since he had the worst nishing position in the nal race he was placed in 3rd. Two races remain in the series and Smith is 12 points down, it’ll be dif cult for the #45 but the title is de antly still within reach.
34 GRITMOTO • APRIL 15, 2018