Page 18 - Issue_68

AUSTIN FORKNER
250 SX / 1ST
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia, the capital and heart of the “Peach State.” An economic powerhouse in the United States, it plays host to many large transactions and encounters, in all aspects of society. Global commerce, innovative research, and countless means of transportation from all around the world, are in constant rotation inside these city limits. Along with the aforementioned, numerous fortune ve hundred companies place their stakes here, so to say this metropolitan area is home to many high-stakes moments, is an understatement. This attitude translates into the realm of Supercross as well, as this race throughout the last few decades, has provided pivotal turning points in light of the championship standings. Pres-
sure can surmount, and at times, crumble the competitors who attempt to race inside this selected arena; however, if you are able to withstand the surrounding forces, you can prevail, riding a wave of momentum all the way to the nale in Vegas. Austin Forkner has been clasping his hands, rubbing the palms together, awaiting the time to set foot on the stadium oor. Watching the clock with every second that past, it had nally struck twelve; he would strut to the line, mounting his saddle and sprinting down the start straight. Thrashing through the gearbox, every part of his machine was ring on all cylinders. The ruts were already beginning to form in the crevices and transitions of these rhythm lanes, but with his patented forward head, focused style, he was conquering this track with little exertion. Attempting to both jump through this whoop- pad, and skip on consecutive laps, he was trying to plan for every possible outcome that the night show would provide. As the session would conclude, he would ride off into the tunnel, pleased with his perfor- mance. The gate would now be loaded for the rst main event, and he felt as though he could establish himself as a dominant force. As the eld would sort themselves out in the rst few laps, he would be in the front, duking it out with everyone in the upper echelon of the eld. Skirting around the left handed, at, rst turn, it was all he could do to keep the 250 from washing out. Weighting the outside foot-peg, he would roll into the following lane, double, and then triple, timing the section with perfect harmony. With Colt Nichols on his heels, he would hold on to the fourth position until the nish. The second main event was upon him, and with a clashing of the gate, the eld of gladiators roared into the opening bend, his front fender acting as a bayonet. Slicing through the eld in the early going, any attempt at tripling through each particular rhythm section was done as allowed. Each lap would mimic its predecessor, as consistency was key when the track deteriorated. With Davalos, his teammate, out front, there would be immense pressure from his back side; it was Osborne. As the number one would stalk, the battle would come to a climax in the rhythm lane after the start, as a hiccup by the number thirty- ve, would cause a slight change of direction in the air. Subsequently, Osborne would smack his rear fender, causing a linking of the two machines; unscathed, Forkner would remain upright, and take second on the moto. For the third and nal race, he was forced to yet again climb the ladder of championship contention. Fighting his way through the eld, he would have to move past riders like Hampshire, Peters, and Smith. He would do so, but not without some serious work.
It would come down to the nal laps, Hampshire still hot on his tail. He would have to hold on to the spot, in order to win! He would do so, st pumping across the nish, taking home the third place ride; beating Osborne in the tie breaker!
18 GRITMOTO • MARCH 4, 2018