Page 38 - DECEMBERMPG2018

RESULTS DONOTLIE
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gate pick, inside the top ten. Hardly break- ing a sweat, you could see him leaning the bike with in a very smooth manner, rolling on the throttle as he would exit the various turns and chicanes among the track. He would then break into the top five, where he would stay for the duration of the moto. His best finish in the supercross portion of the event would come in the 65cc (7-9) Limited class, where an excellent beginning to the race had him positioned nicely for an overall podium. Jockeying for position with the likes of Canyon Richards, and Chase Andersen around, he wouldn’t budge when the pres- sure became almost insurmountable. His preparedness would remain steadfast, and all the effort he and crew had put in would be rewarded, with a spectacular second place finish! Yet he wouldn’t stop there, ringing out solid finish after solid finish in the motocross portion of the event as well, claiming two third place moto finishes in the 65cc (7-9) class, garnering an outstand-
ing bronze medal overall. It was truly a trip worth making for the Mercure team, and they hoped to bring this surging momentum into the 2019 season. Mercure is definitely going to be one to watch out for in the na- tionals to come.
HAIDEN DEEGAN
If you rummage through the archives of this sport, you’re quick to find just how often the name of Deegan appears throughout the da- tabase of files, results, and awards alike. It’s a prominent last name, reaping the aura of success in all aspects of motor vehicle rac- ing, and in particular that of motocross. With Brian Deegan paving a way for his children,
the throne has now been handed to the likes of Haiden Deegan, a young man who’s piloting his KTM machinery to new heights, both figuratively and literally. Race after race, for the past few years, Deegan has been a legitimate title contend- er, always in the running for a national champion- ship. Accumulating wins and podiums alike, his name at this point in the game, has been associ- ated with a penciled in threat to win. So when he and the crew made the drive from Temecula, California, they wanted nothing but to be placed in the upper echelon of
riders, knowing that Haiden had a chance
to do some serious damage. It would begin in the 85cc (9-11) class, where he would
be surrounded by his usual opposition and competitors of foe. With guys in his class traveling from around the globe to do battle for a prestigious championship, he would thrive with the thought of heated battle. After immaculate heat race finishes, he would line up for the 85cc (9-11) class, where he and Daxton Bennick would be penciled in to be a threat for crossing the line in the lead. Every part of the track, the two KTM riders would be neck and neck, never budging an inch on claiming an
inside rut, or hitting
a specific lane in
their desired path.
Bennick would
narrowly take the
win for this round,
with Deegan riding
his heart out for
second. But it was
though after that,
as if he would
truly get tired of
anything less than
a win. He would go
onto terrorize this
technical super-
cross track, know-
ing that he had
prepared as hard
as he could back
home in the likes of
practice facilities.
It would be of no
contest in the 85cc (9-13) and 85cc (9-11) Limited class, where he was oblivious when in regards to who he was lining up against. He truly wanted to be listed as one of the top riders of the event, and man would he prove his worth upon conclusion of these specific outings. Claiming an outstanding, two different titles! It would then translate into the outdoor portion of the event, where he would sign up for three different classes, and walk away with no less than a third! He again, would claim a second, and title, in the 85cc (9-13) division. Age of his opponents was of no importance to him, as he was focused on the path of track that was in front of him. Walking away from the Winter Olympics, he and his team couldn’t have been more proud.
CASEY COCHRAN
Growing up in the Southeastern United States, Casey Cochran has been tested with high competition since his debut aboard the motorcycle many years ago. It seemed as though everywhere he went, he had to battle or fight hard for a win, never getting the easy way out. But even if he were, he wouldn’t take it; being the true champion that he is, he’s sought out the fastest riders, always wanting to prove himself against the highest in regard of his class. Year after year, he’s been a staple on the national scene, having a certain criteria of races that he and crew must hit. Next up on the list for 2018, was the Winter Olympics, at Gatorback Cycle Park. Coming into this race prepared as ever, he’d been training hard throughout
38 MPG • DECEMBER • 2018
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