Page 32 - Issue50

ALEX MARTIN
250 MX / 2ND
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / MPG
>> Alex Martin’s supercross season did not go to plan after it was cut short due to injury. However, the bright side is that he was able to solely focus on returning 100% for the out- door series which suits his riding style much better anyways. Being his first year with the Red Bull Troy Lee Designs KTM squad, the extra time helped wonders and he debuted at Hangtown with a strong 4-4 for second overall performance. His speed was there but he fought from behind most of the time and he was not able to battle at the very front of the field. Similar story at Glen Helen last weekend. He suffered poor starts and once again fought from behind to score 6-5 moto finishes on the day. He was being consistent and sat second in points leading up to Thunder Valley but felt he still had a lot more left to show.
Martin would set the second fastest lap time in the qualifying sessions and he looked great in doing so. He was riding with more aggression and looked a lot smoother on the machine.
The gate dropped in moto one and he did just what he needed to do; Nail a holeshot.
He would take that early lead and hold it every lap en route to his first moto victory of the season but it was much more difficult than it looked on paper. He fended off charges from several racers including: Mitchell Harrison, little brother Jeremy Martin, Joey Savatgy, and Austin Forkner. It was a hard-earned win and he was ready to give it another shot in moto number two.
Martin could not repeat his holeshot from moto one and instead began the moto in about seventh position. He worked up to fifth passing Osborne and Harrison in the first handful of laps but could not really channel that race-winning speed he had in the first moto. He stayed persistent, passing Ferrandis for fourth in the waning stages of the race. He even tried one last ditch effort to run down Forkner on the last lap, a pass that would have given him the overall victory. Instead he would flip-flop moto scores with Joey Savatgy by going 1-4 and would settle with second overall. He was a little disappointed he could not secure the victory on the day but he was happy with how the day went and the progres- sion he and the team have been making. Watch out for more big time rides from Martin as the championship race heats up.
32 GRITMOTO • JUNE 4, 2017