race recap
GARRETT MARCHBANKS - GRIT 229 450MX
August 16, 2023 · Garrett Marchbanks
GARRETT MARCHBANKS | GRIT-229 | 450MX
The ClubMX Yamaha rider excelled at the Unadilla facility just as he'd done in rounds prior aboard the 450cc engine; reiterating that the move to the premier division was the correct choice as he consistently gathered astounding finishes within the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Following a strong showing in practice, Marchbanks would be solidified in second for significant portion of time following a remarkable leap from the starting grate. Though Chase Sexton moved around, Marchbanks speed was nearly paralleled to the Honda tandem (of Lawrence and Sexton) for quite sometime. Defending the third-place residency from a hard-charging Dylan Ferrandis as well, his effort was phenomenal on the sport's biggest stage. His explosiveness when exiting corners would be felt with a swift release of the clutch, using his RPM's as a gauge of trajectory while battling with the aforementioned Star Racing Yamaha rider. Though passed on lap four, a slight mistake (while pushing the pace) would also cause Marchbanks to slightly descend in the running order to that of sixth in the moments thereafter (as Aaron Plessinger and Adam Cianciarulo had made their way around). But sixth, was as far as Marchbanks would fall - the Coalville, Utah native staying ahead of Estonia's Harri Kullas by the time the checkered flag was thrown...solidifying a standing of sixth before aligning on the grid once again. To begin the second moto, Garret's ability to register twenty-sixth would be recognized by many on the fence-line...as he was relentless in his pursuit of a higher standing after a lackluster first-turn experience. He would be into thirteenth by lap seven, and was as tenacious as any competitor on the circuit when charging into the "Wall" section, that had one of the sharpest and most off-cambered corners in all of motocross within it! Marchbanks' revs could be heard throughout the facility as he passed racers like Romain Pape, Grant Harlan, and a multitude of others. Ultimately gathering a moto score of tenth, his efforts of clawing through the 450cc pack amid the second-moto contest would cement the Utah native into an overall standing of seventh as action concluded in New Berlin, New York. With Budd's Creek and the Ironman national now on the horizon, look for Marchbanks to conclude his 2023 tenure on a high note; building momentum for the SMX Playoffs, the 2024 Championships, and beyond as well.