MotoPlayground
← News

race recap

GARRETT MARCHBANKS - GRIT 232 450SMX

September 13, 2023 · Garrett Marchbanks

GARRETT MARCHBANKS  - GRIT 232 450SMX

GARRETT MARCHBANKS | GRIT-232 | 450 SMX

ClubMX Yamaha's Garrett Marchbanks would aspire to continue his momentum from the AMA Pro Motocross Championship and translate it to the SuperMotocross series which was beginning on Saturday in Charlotte - as the Utah native believed that his prowess gained on the summer circuit would carry into the stadium format which was set to be competed upon, in the Southeastern United States. Following a notable practice effort where Marchbanks thrived on the speedier sections of the layout, he would looked to the split section of launchpad(s) as a means to gain as many positions as possible prior to passing the green flag...though a troublesome initial sequence would leave the number thirty-six machine in nineteenth. However, by lap six he had claim twelfth while hoping to push into single-digit territory! Choosing his lines while on the fly, he would take advantage of a clear lane amongst the alternate route section (where riders could choose to go over a tunnel jump, or proceed amongst a series of corners and bends)...and whichever Marchbanks seemed to choose, the Yamaha athlete seemed to thrive. He then occupied tenth after moving past Ty Masterpool, with Adam Cianciarulo now in the crosshairs with around one-third of the race remaining. Marchbanks relentlessly tried to gain ground on the Kawasaki rider who was in front of him, launching from the last single of the longest rhythm lane with authority before landing on the ground with his rear wheel spinning! Yet despite the effort, the Floridian was able to evade with Garrett (but not without Marchbanks being applauded for his fighting spirit)...and after securing tenth at the finish-line, his vision would gaze toward the starting grid of round-two. Beginning this trek in fourteenth, his quarrels with riders just outside of the top-ten would consist of ruthless shroud scraping and bar-banging - with multiple instances of near stalling amongst deepening inside ruts, and sling-shooting across grooves being on tap as he attempted to surged into the top-ten. That goal (i.e. top-ten) would be established while rounding the tenth circuit, where he was then behind Justin Barcia and Ty Masterpool. Though he couldn't solely focus on the two opponents in the foreground, with Colt Nichols continuing to charge (from behind) as they neared the checkered flag...but with fortitude, Marchbanks was able to hold onto the occupancy of ninth, for a well-respected ninth-overall in the record book(s).

More from GRIT