Page 44 - GRRIT-11

BLAKE BAGGETT
More acclimated to the outdoor circuit, the #4 Yoshimura Suzuki rider has struggled thus far in the
2016 season. Last year, though, in 2015, Baggett rode strong all year, securing a 5th overall in the championship standings during what was his rookie 450 season. This year, the rider has unfortunately gone down a more difficult path. Forced to face multiple injuries for a majority of the last few series, Baggett continues to search for the form he had last year or when he donned the red plate at every round of the 2012 250 outdoor motocross championship. Starting the year with a shoulder injury that has restricted him through the first 10 rounds, Baggett is finally getting the seat time any rider needs to get back into shape and compete at the ultimate level of Monster Energy Supercross. Luckily, last weekend saw Blake’s best finish so far with an 11th in Toronto, thus showing he’s inching his way closer to where we know he ought to be. Not to take any credit away from the rider out of California, though, it was only his 3rd main event in as many races. Despite the difficulties, Baggett has proved to the industry that it’s not about if he can run up front, but when. Round number 11 and Detroit welcome Blake to town, to finally make his move into the top 10. With it still being strange to see a yellow #4 without the name Carmichael across the back, Baggett is a real top 5 threat that is expected to put up a single number in the finish column this weekend.
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GRITMOTO • MARCH.21.16
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