Page 60 - issue-36

MIKE ALESSI
450 SX / TEXAS
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / WILSON
>> Mike has missed two rounds so far this season due to injury, since returning he has two top 15’s to his credit. The MCR Smart- Top Honda rider has been putting in consistent finishes, but the flashes of brilliance we have seen before from the #800 has been lacking. That is until this weekend in Arlington Texas. Mr. Hole- shot proved that his nickname is indeed still valid after getting a great start in his heat race from the far side of the gates. Mike also proved that he still can run up front by leading the majority of the race before finishing 2nd behind Justin Bogle. It has been well over a year since the #800 has ran upfront like he did in his heat race, so he was heading into the main event with confidence. Sad to say Mike couldn’t repeat his holeshot in the final and was run- ning in 15th after the opening laps. Thankfully M. Alessi was able to ride a relatively clean race on route to a 13th place finish which is his best of the year. If the Honda rider can continue the momen- tum he will be able to turn his season around.
60 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 12, 2017