Page 10 - ISSUE_54

BLAKE BAGGETT
450 MX / 2ND
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / TILLS
>> After taking the point lead and all the momentum just about a month ago, Blake Baggett has endured some adversity at the past few races. A first turn crash at Tennessee, and a first lap crash just a week ago at Red Bud has thrown him off his rhythm and cost him the point lead. He entered Southwick down thirteen points to his rival Eli Tomac and to make matters worse, he is dealing with a sore thumb he sustained in that crash at Red Bud. Knowing he has a sore thumb and the fact that Southwick is Tomac’s best course, Baggett knew he was going to have to do his best and ride hard to try and keep pace with the points leader.
Baggett had good qualifying sessions emerging from the practices with the second quickest lap time behind none other than Eli Tomac. He knew he’d have to find an- other gear come race time to try and make something happen.
He needed a good start and that is exactly what he went out and got to initiate moto one. He immediately tried to build up a lead but he would not get too far before Tomac came knocking on his door. Tomac powered through an inside berm and mo- tored around him. Baggett tried to retaliate in the following corner but was unable to make anything happen. He would be able to keep Tomac honest the rest of the moto but never close enough to make a pass attempt. He’d finish with a strong second place.
Knowing a second in moto one is as good as a first, Baggett set out looking to steal the overall from Tomac. Baggett got out to another good in the second moto this
time starting in second right behind Marvin Musquin. Baggett tried latching onto the Frenchman but lost tail just a bit and a few laps later he’d have company from Tomac yet again. He put up a good fight but Tomac ultimately made the pass just before
the halfway point. Baggett settled into third but then got bumped up to second when Musquin crashed by launching off the track. Baggett kept it steady in a lonely second the rest of the way to finish the day with a 2-2. A great result but slightly disappointing knowing Tomac went 1-1 and extended the points lead to nineteen. Luckily there is
a weekend off so surely Baggett will take that time to heal up and game plan how to chop down that points lead.
10 GRITMOTO • JULY 9, 2017