Page 44 - GRIT-83

JUSTIN COOPER
250 MX / 5TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Coming into each selected round on the professional tour, many of these racers have a speci c goal in mind. They’ve been in the sport long enough to know how to gauge, and want
to shoot for, in order to keep their contractual obligations satis ed, as well as personal morale. And Justin Cooper knew, when marking this date on the calendar, that he could sustain a fth overall or better. This race was one in which he considered a blast, and he knew that when he looked forward to an event, spectacular results would ensue. Practice was a true episode of
his rear tire spraying pellets of all shapes and sizes, towards the competition and the crowd. Of course, two different reactions were accompanying his blistering antics; the crowd, seemingly reaching over the fence to feel the after-effects of his chaos, and the competition, displeased as ever, knowing they had to get around him. It was the same coin to be ipped for the moto’s, as his name could almost be chanted by a few in the crowd, knowing they wanted to see him at the front of the eld. Launching up the initial Fly Racing, uphill double, he would whip his chassis to the right, looking to show those behind him he was substantially comfortable. He would charge down the following hills, lap after lap, toying with both inside and outside lines. It was these particular corners, where substantial time could either be made, or lost, and realized that. As the moto continued to dwindle on, he would nd himself establishing a bit of a gap over Jordon Bailey. It was pleasing to the sight of both team and fans, looking to see him climb to the best
of his ability. He crossed over the nish line for the nal time, seeing just a few in front of him in the cooling area; he would place eighth. The engines would then rev for moto number two, and off they would go. As the machines chewed up this already destroyed racetrack, the downhills were seemingly a test of who wanted more. Coming over the Motorsport tabletop in the bottom, he took time to take a quick glance around, relishing in the fact that he was in the front portion of the eld. He would eye Mitchell Harrison, seemingly pointing the laser of his front fender into the back of the rider, knowing he must make a move, and quick. He would do so, and imme- diately after, try to blitz, to establish a blocking effect. It would work, and as he resided in the seventh place spot, something in his mind told him he’d accomplished the goal he sat out for. Fifth overall was his, and he was satis ed.
44 GRITMOTO • JULY 1, 2018