Page 44 - ISSUE51

AUSTIN FORKNER
250 MX / 6TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MPG
>> As a motocross racer, one must be prepared to race in all sorts of conditions, when heading to the weekend’s competition. It’s unique in the sense that, not only do competitors come and go, but the actual playing field varies from week to week, and even lap to lap. There aren’t many other forms of athleticism that can compare with that, so the admiration that many have for the athletes in the pinnacle of this sport is well-deserved. Looking to view a true tactician? View no further than Austin Forkner. He looks as though he’d copied the book of motocross technique word for word, making this sport appear almost too easy at times. His line selection was that of a snowboard sloping and carving down the mountains, although his field of play was swapped with chunks of rock and fine particles of soil. Pushing his way into
the first moto, he looked to translate the technique to solid finishes. Immediately as he crossed the gate for moto number one, he clicked into third gear. The pack swarmed, and he remained calm as they crested the first tunnel jump and into the rhythm-rockers. The lines already beginning to develop potholes, his slight drag of the rear brake lessened the blow on the chassis as he fought tooth and nail with Kyle Cunningham and Dylan Ferrandis; itching to move forward after the ninth place start. Throwing whips has he ducked under the Lucas Oil banner, his char- ismatic flash was appealing to all in attendance. Although the competition wasn’t what he had discovered in the amateur’s, he found his groove, eventually making his way into the sixth place ride. They say two makes a match, and we would be kidding if we said Austin wasn’t going for another repeat performance. A fourth place start found him just behind the top dog’s of the series, and he would even force his way into third, trailing Jeremy Martin. However the parade wouldn’t last for long, as he would be overtaken by Dylan Ferrandis, and then eventually Zach Osborne; no credit lost however. Landing into the downhill’s, with elbow’s up, he would shift as fast he could; eventually resulting in a solid finish of sixth, taking into account a sixth overall.
44 GRITMOTO • JUNE 18, 2017