DYLAN FERRANDIS - GRIT 249 450SX

GRIT-249 | 450 SX

June 3rd, 2024 12:00 pm

Returning to the series after a brief absence, Honda's Dylan Ferrandis appeared eager to compete while stationed in Philadelphia. The athlete aboard the number fourteen machine was battling alongside the top of the division in practice, where he demonstrated perfect technique through the split-lane(d) rhythm section and accompanying corners thereafter. By all indication, he seemed ready for the "afternoon show" that followed, and was aligned on the grid for the second heat race of the 450SX division. Once the second divisional round began, Ferrandis quickly leapt his way into third while behind Hunter Lawrence and Jason Anderson. His bold lines through the longest rhythm section, were a catalyst for strong lap times. Ferrandis was quick to acknowledge and replicate the process of the previously noted Lawrence, who swept through the course just in front of him. The expectations by the crowd were rather high for the former champion, and Ferrandis seemed to excel as the spotlight grew brighter. Flying over the latter "SX" triple, he would "rail" the following bowl turn with a surplus of momentum in second gear. Though the inner foot-peg would drag and the exit of the corner was beginning to become marred with a deceivingly slick base, Dylan managed to continue powering forward toward the checkered flag. He had quite the gap over Beta's Colt Nichols in the final stages, and managed to garner ample breathing room as all was finalized for this qualifying sequence...taking third, respectively. Not long thereafter, would the finalé begin - and Ferrandis' ability to stay tight around the opening corner, amongst the chaos, equated to a standing of eighth. He, Justin Barcia, and the number ninety-six machine seemed to be on a trajectory that was almost mirrored, per se. Though Malcolm Stewart was coming forward, the aforementioned trio weren't budging or shifting amongst one another...staying in their respective positions for what felt like an eternity. Small gaps were sustained by each combatant, with Barcia pulling ahead at times, and Lawrence proceeding to gain ground under various circumstances...while Ferrandis did the same on respective occasions. This process transpired for twenty laps! Until, Malcolm was able to make the move, ahead of Ferrandis, on the twenty-first circuit. This forced Dylan to descend to ninth, where he resided across the finish line...garnering a single-digit effort, and proving that he remained a legitimate contender inside of the top-ten.

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