Page 20 - GRIT-83

PHIL NICOLETTI
450 MX / 5TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Looking around the realm of sports in the United States this weekend, you’re quick to note the emergence of the UFC (in particular UFC 226 Saturday night), and how far the sport has climbed over the past few years. With a younger demographic latching onto the sport, many of the viewers yearn for intensity, and a true trademark of aggression. That’s why there’s such a crosshairs between the fans of the cage, and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross. The attendees of Red Bud, for instance, are craving a knockdown, drag-out, battle royale; something that Phil Nicoletti aspires to be apart of. He lives for those neck and neck mo- ments, ones in which it’s a true dash for cash. And in retrospect of the national, he would get all he wanted. Practice would go well, seemingly ruf ing a few feathers on the way; but who cares, right? This was a sport of mental willpower, and a bit of arrogance at times. Besides, if you weren’t going to believe you were a true, dominant force, who would? He carried that label to the line, scoping out his competition one by one. He pressed the issue even further with a stamping of the throttle, wheeling off the gate, despite the con ned lockdown of a holeshot device. Rounding the rst lap in second, he was one of the rst to truly and try to develop new lines. Besides, he couldn’t stand being behind the machine ahead, and would do his best to always keep ascending forward. Pelting Lorenzo Locur- cio who was behind, with roost, he tried to cloud the vision of the opponent with projectile throwing from his rear tire. His elbows would remain up, riding as wide of a bike as pos- sible, being a mere blockade to all behind; yet still throwing down eye-opening laptimes. A valiant effort toward the nish, he would come across the checkered ag in sixth. The bike was prepared, and he’d been replenished; it was time to duplicate his efforts with the sun winding down. The track was as rough as it’d been all weekend, and he was ourishing. He was absolutely astounding around the top of the bowl turn, pulling the entire time from riders like Kyle Cunningham. Never taking a glance behind, he kept only the front fender in the foreground. His battle with Cooper Webb would be serious, yet not enough to spike the heart rate, remaining composed throughout the latter portion of the race. Shutting off the engine once crossing the nish, his mechanic informed him that he’d placed sixth, strong enough for fth overall.
20 GRITMOTO • JULY 1, 2018