race recap
AARON PLESSINGER | GRIT-209 | 450SX
February 20, 2023 · Aaron Plessinger
AARON PLESSINGER | GRIT-209 | SX 450
With this layout containing multiple sets of whoops, many in the industry believed that Aaron Plessinger was set to be one of the strongest riders in the 450cc division for competition in Oakland. Their assumptions were correct, as well, with the number seven skimming the moguls with fearlessness while attacking the dragon's back in the same manner! It was easy to see that his confidence had been growing in race's past, and was set to be unveiled to another prominent level as gate(s) fell for his heat race. Beginning with a second-place start in heat two, he would be behind fellow KTM rider Cooper Webb while leaping through the gigantic rhythm lanes this track had to offer. Though the quad (before the finish-line) was now pretty much extinct (due to ruts and marred takeoff), his ability to leap from the tabletop's in the forthcoming moments would be sensational. However, Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac's flow were on a slightly higher level as they proceeded to move around him, which lessened his standing to fourth. Taking notes from the three championship contenders just ahead, Plessinger's aptitude seemed to be paralleled with the best in the division; where he maintained a fourth-place run, through the waving of the checkered flag. The main event wasn't long thereafter, and as Chase Sexton pulled the hole-shot (and race lead) it would be Plessinger who resided in sixth for the first few moments of action. Ken Roczen was then passed by Plessinger, which gave him fifth while trailing Kawasaki's Jason Anderson. Anderson was strong in the fourth-place residency, until a mistake around the halfway point would cause him to falter (slightly) in the standings and give the aforementioned position to that of the Ohio native. He could then see Cooper Webb in the distance, but the time he would make-up on the 450cc champion would subtly be erased as (Webb) began to ignite a rhythm of sorts. "AP" wasn't one to be discouraged though, and would scrub his way over the triple just after the finish-line before looking to his mechanic for an update on his current standing. Time would begin to run out, though Plessinger was holding strong in fourth as the white flag neared. And after all was said and done, it was the former 250cc champion who'd generated enough momentum to secure a fourth-place standing; which heightened his confidence, for the rounds that were on the horizon.