DEAN WILSON | GRIT-219 | 450SX

DEAN WILSON | GRIT-219 | SX 450

Knowing what was at stake for round sixteen of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, the aspirations of Honda's Dean Wilsoncouldn't have been higher as the inception of practice rounds began early in the afternoon hours on Saturday. His bike had been tuned to the highest degree to combat the altitude of Denver, and looked to be one of the fastest engines on the racetrack as he sped across the start straightaway with ease. His line on the outside of the whoops would be extraordinary, finding a series of lips that were even and allowed his frame to skip across with unwavering precision; rather than by diverting and finding moguls that deviated in size. And with expertise like that, it was no wonder as to why he accrued the fifth-placeoverall time on the leaderboard before heading into the heat racing sequences that followed. His start to the divisional round of action would equate to sixthand give him an opportunity to move forward in the earliest of stages. Landing from the finish line with the throttle pinned (despite holding in the clutch lever, as well), he would forewarn Oklahoma's Colt Nicholsin front of him that he was approaching his rear wheel with aggression. The two riders then rounded the track with a tandem of cat and mouse (if you will), racing with a means of bypassing one another, though unable to truly engage in a pace that would separate them from their accompanying adversary. Though he ultimately stayed behind, his flow throughout the largest rhythm sections would undoubtedly impact his accrual of fifth as the checkered flag was waved; leading to a confident run in the main event that followed, despite being passed by Suzuki's Shane McElrath in the latter stages. But he remained focused on his strongest points of the divisional round, and proceeded to launch up and over the wall jump (on the first lap of main event action) with Eli Tomacleading the field around and the rest of the pack following in an inseparable train that was only deviated by mere bike lengths! Nearly colliding with Suzuki's Kyle Chisholm on multiple occasions as the third and fourth circuits were completed, his Fire Power Honda machine would be masterfully ridden through the multitude of singles and tabletop(s) that were just after the first turn. His ability to leap onto the opening plateau with aggression and a keen sense of throttle control (along with placement of his front wheel) was paramount as he distanced himself from Team Tedder's Josh Hillwho trailed; as he was mindful of the pace the veteran carried in the latter portions of the circuit. Wilson was relentless when then moving forward to combat the likes of Anthony Rodriguez, who he would overtake prior to concluding the eleventh lap of the main event...and then with Justin Hill and Shane McElrath ahead, it was Wilson who constantly sought higher ground while sprinting to the finish line; ultimately sporting a superb sixth-place outcome, as all concluded at Mile High Stadium.

More from GRIT