Page 68 - issue-36

COLE MARTINEZ
250 SX / TEXAS
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> Following a lengthy stint on the West Coast, the series has now migrated into the heart of the United States, Dallas, Texas. An unusual move by Feld, with this event in years past signifying the start of the East Coast series, they’ve pondered, and decided to allow the boys of palm trees get accustomed to the woven-wired lined fields of the Lonestar state. Speaking of ranching, Cole Martinez has been eagerly waiting for a shot of redemption, in hopes of lassoing a solid finish after a series filled with highs and lows thus far. With the spurs latched tight, belt buckle looped firm, it was finally time to get down in the south. With the clashing of the metal and bullhorn’s firing throughout the arena, if you weren’t too familiar with the sport, the pre-race adrenaline resembled that of a PBR event; except this time, there were far more than just one bull, and they tended to make a tad more noise a well. The pack funnels into the first turn, resembling that of a cattle stampede, he seemed to be clanging iron with anyone who got in his way. The track, although simple, had a certain degree of difficulty to it due to the deceivingly difficult red clay, that was simply washed away after a few laps of racing. Cole was excelling, his southwest roots flourishing on this salsa-esque soil, as he tiptoed near the sixth place position into the top five. Clicking off lap after lap, he was dicing the cutting board with names such as Hayden Mellross, jousting fellow Yamaha “factory” rider Aaron Plessinger as they wheel tapped through each treacherous whoop section. Remaining strong throughout the rest of the moto, Martinez would garner a morale-boosting eighth place finish; a smile gleaming through the helmet as he exited the tunnel.
68 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 12, 2017