Page 90 - MPG15

theGRIT
JEFF COX
The conditions were tricky all day long at Gillette Stadium and Peick put in a solid qualifying result for a Californian that is primarily used to slick, hard packed, and dusty tracks. The track was
still retaining quite a bit of moisture during the first timed practice, presenting a couple different
obstacles that even the 450’s were having trouble tackling. By the time the second practice was coming to a close, the moisture had been soaked up quite a bit and the track started to develop into the same type of technical challenge that was present at Indy and St. Louis. Peick managed a 10th place qualifying time, trailing Dungey at the top of the field by a gap of approximately 2 seconds. In his heat race, Peick didn’t execute the smoothest start and had to resort to getting on the brakes early and trying to hug the inside line after going into the first corner with a multiple bike-length disadvantage to his competitors. He used his aggression on the opening lap to move from practically last to 7th place and he continued to charge forward as the heat race progressed. He beat Chad Reed straight up and would have given Musquin a run for the final transfer spot had the start not hindered his track position so badly. In the semi-qualifier, Peick took advantage of a good start and passed Friese around the outside in the first whoop section right away. The JGR rider could not have drawn it up any better and he went on to put in some flawless laps consecutively to secure the win and earn his spot in the main event. Peick wasn’t able to emulate his start from the semi when it was time for the gate to drop in the main event, but he managed a mid-pack start and he was able to salvage some decent track position. He found himself in 10th position on the first lap and he held his own within the skirmish of riders fighting for the top 10. Peick was able to move forward gradually throughout the race after locking bars in a race long battle with Chad Reed. It’s no easy task to best the veteran Yamaha rider on a technical track such as the one at Gillette Stadium this past Saturday. Peick should be content after putting in one of the most solid rides he has so far this season, keeping the bike on two wheels on a dangerous track, and managing to stay on the lead lap in a race where Roczen lapped more than half the field.
90 GRITMOTO • APRIL.25.16
words/LAKEKILPATRICK