Page 32 - DECEMBERMPG2018

RESULTS DONOTLIE
would get out to an early lead to begin the run-off, where he would deal with the entire squad, including Powell, Best, Gordon, and Wood. Running laptimes that were sub one minute and twenty, the pace he was pack- ing had to be matched by the rest of the field, otherwise the number 15 KTM would ride off into the sunset, with a title in hand. And that’s exactly how the fairy tale ending would conclude, with Powell leading the field, and grabbing the checkered flag from
one size machine either, as he excelled on both the 65cc and 85cc machines. Com- ing into the run-off’s, he wanted to grab as many solid finishes as humanly possible, and man did he do so. Beginning with an eighth and a sixth in two highly competitive 65cc and 85cc classes, he would yearn for more, where he would then line up for the 65cc (7-11) division. A class full of both the young thriving talent, and the maturity of the elder in the group of (10-11) pilots, Best
knew what he would be up against. Yet he never bowed down to fear, and took off from the launch pad like a rocket. Shifting through the gearbox, he would work his way into second as the race began to dwindle. Hounding the leader for a series of laps, he would leave it all on the track, walking away with an awesome ride, and second place finish. But then, it was though
it all had come together, when he had lined up for the 65cc (10-11) class.
A holeshot provided him with an abundance of clear track, and a little
bit of room to where he could really settle into the
optimal flow of the track. Hitting his lines with expert craft, he would pull little by little from that of Landen Gordon, who would settle into second. And as the checkered flag flew, it would be title number one of the week for Best; and there
would be more to come.
Best would then simply
go on a tear throughout
the outdoor portion of
the event. Having an
exceptional fourth place
ride aboard the 85cc
machine, but absolutely
dominating the 65cc
classes. He would line
up for six contests, and
win every time he was on
the track. It was a perfect
sheet of tally’s, with his
neck becoming so heavy
with gold medallions, that
he had to have someone
assist and carry them
back to the truck! Logan
Best, was the best during
this particular week. And
he looked to carry this momentum into the 2019 season.
LANDEN GORDON
Making the trek all the way from Atascadero, California, Landen Gordon and crew wanted to make sure their drive would be well worth the trip. Adequately preparing with a rigor- ous training schedule, monitored diet, and enormous amounts of bike maintenance, they finally loaded up in the week prior to Thanksgiving, traveling to the Southeastern United States. Their final destination you ask? None other than the legendary Winter Olympics, taking place at Gatorback Cycle Park. The event, as storied as they come, tried and true by the best professionals in the world, is one where Landen Gordon hoped to inscribe his name in the record books. Signing up for a whopping four differ- ent classes, his duration and will as a com- petitor would be tested; however, both he and team knew that they would be prepared for the challenge. Contesting both 65cc and 85cc classes, he would have to volley back and forth, being able to adapt in the snap
of a finger. He was large enough to ride the 85cc machine, yet he could still be capable of throwing the 65cc machine around, put- ting the bike exactly where he wanted to. Throughout the first four motos, he would qualify into the runoffs in solid fashion, even accumulating a first and second as his initial scores in the process. A ninth in the highly competitive, 85cc (9-11) Limited class, had his confidence riding high, as he excelled against higher and stiffer competition. He would then work his way to the 65cc class-
the referee. With family, fans, and sponsors being the first to congratulate him, he would take a moment to bask in what he had just accomplished. Almost every professional on the pro tour has won a championship here, and now Powell’s name would go down in the record books as well. The championship was his, and he could now say he was the king of the 65cc (7-11) classification.
LOGAN BEST
Coming into this respective national, Logan Best and his crew knew just how good his consistency and outright stamina were, along with much of the industry and his sponsors. However, there were those who were unaware, to no fault of their own of course. But man did he show his worth,
and just how durable he was after this
week had come to closure. Signing up for a whopping ten classes, the young man had eight overall finishes inside the top ten, and adding four titles on top of that! Starting off in supercross, he accumulated three heat race wins, along with a fourth and a second. And it wasn’t as though it was catered to
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