Page 99 - MPG22

theGRIT
IMAGES / LAKE KILPATRICK
Broc Tickle came into Muddy Creek ready to rock after a season best ninth overall at High Point. The main thing holding him back this season have been his starts so he knew if he nailed one he would be up front. His third fastest lap time in qualifying practice gave him that shot of confidence he needed to compete
in the motos. Tickle got a decent start in the opening moto coming around lap one in tenth place. He moved up to ninth on lap two and looked pretty fast. He was right behind the lead group and was waiting for an opportunity to get up there. Then a few laps in, Barcia and Nicoletti would go down together sending Tickle up two spots and into seventh place. He kept moving forward and passed Justin Brayton for sixth at the halfway point. This was arguably the best moto we’ve seen from Tickle so far this season but he came up short on catching Peick for fifth. He would settle for sixth but it marked the best moto finish of the year for him. Moto number two got started with a bang for Tickle as we saw him shred a big holeshot. He immediately looked to take advantage of
the clean track ahead of him and he built a small lead on the opening lap. Unfortunately for him, his teammate Ken Roczen came charging through on the second lap shortly followed by Eli Tomac dropping Broc to third. From there, Tickle put together a really impressive moto pacing himself on the brutal track and not burning himself in the scorching sun and humidity en route to a third place moto finish. His 6-3 moto scores would be good enough for third place overall; his first since 2012! It was an extraordinary day for Tickle and could be the confidence boost he needed to rejuvenate his 2016 season.
words/SETHHARNISHFEGER WWW.GRITMOTO.COM
99