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PHIL NICOLETTI
450 MX / 9TH
IMAGE / LANG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Looking back through the amateur ranks of last decade, you’ll notice that Phil Nicoletti was a staple throughout the top-tier events, and always a threat to make an impact. Now, a veteran of the series, he’s carried his New York “winning” ways into the professional di- vision, and has been a success year after year. Although he’s had his hiccups, and been cut from teams, he always seems to be resigned and reimbursed for the amount of work he puts in. Southwick was the same thing, as a twenty- rst place start would absolutely force him to work his way up through the trenches, as the moto continued. Already near- ing the top ten by the halfway point, his creative line selection had him zigzagging out of traf c, without the use of turn signals or blinkers. He wasn’t reckless by any means, but he was marching through the pack with authority, letting his presence be known to all he passed, on his way to the checkered. On lap thirteen, he was just behind Henry Miller. But where as many would be content this late in the race, seemingly throwing in the towel so to speak, he would climb forward one last time. Making the move past Miller in the closing moments, he would inherit tenth place, eyeing the second moto for redemp- tion. Battling through the craziness of this sandstorm for the second moto, a sixth place start was much better than the beginning of the rst moto. Neck and neck with riders
like Justin Barcia, a mistake had him back to tenth in the blink of an eye. He wouldn’t be discouraged however, and before he knew it, he’d be hovering around the eighth place spot, battling Lorenzo Locurcio for seventh. He would absolutely destroy this track, never losing sight of the Honda rider just ahead. Up, down, and all around, his efforts would
be in constant motion from sitting to standing. His core remained engaged, the eyes fo- cused forward, and the elbows wouldn’t drop, even though his brain wanted to relax. The white ag would come about, and he could start to feel Cooper Webb a bit from behind him. And although the mystique of a single digit number can cause an absurd amount
of fear, he wouldn’t buckle. He would hold on, claiming eighth place and garnering ninth overall for the day’s nale. He was excited to be back near home soil, and loved the fact familiar territory was coming soon.
30 GRITMOTO • JULY 1, 2018