HAIDEN DEEGAN - GRIT 233 250SMX

HAIDEN DEEGAN | GRIT-233 | 250 SMX

Following his brilliant performance last week in Charlotte, Yamaha's Haiden Deegan would instantly adapt to the high-speed racecourse that was designed in Joliet, Illinois on Saturday. After fine-tuning his suspension settings to gel with the increased velocities of the facilities blueprint, it was then time to embark on the two-moto format following notable practice sessions. Leaping from the grid as his rear tire interlocked into the grate beneath the chassis, a release of the clutch would have him lunging forward aboard the Yamaha machine prior to diving into the festivities of the first lap...and the number 238, as a result, would grab the hole-shot an early lead with Honda's Hunter Lawrence behind him. It was amongst the second, third, and fourth circuits (and so on) where Deegan unveiled his true array of talent on a "somewhat" outdoor-style layout. As the native Californian was flourishing in every facet, from clay to sand, and every other form of soil in between. No matter how hard-packed or rutted a particular portion of the layout was, Deegan made sure to generate as much power as possible while leading the Australian around the track...until the eighth lap was on the horizon, and the rider who sported the number 238 could hear the Honda beginning to close-in. It was in the corner before the finish-line, where a miscue would have Deegan dragging his inside leg amongst the largest rut; nearly crashing in the process, but managing to secure an upright stance when approaching the face of the finish-line obstacle...but this also omitted his ability to make the leap, where he subsequently had to roll the jump while Hunter Lawrence leapt over him! Now into second, Deegan was urgent in his pursuit of regaining the leading categorization, but even with an outpouring of power, the veteran couldn't be shaken. A never ending pursuit of Lawrence was admirable, but the number thirty of Jo Shimoda would have to be acknowledged as well in the closing moments...where the Kawasaki athlete ultimately passed Haiden with time running out; in a section of switchback of corners, just before the longest of roller section(s) on the track. Now third, Deegan would ultimately be finalized here as the checkered flag was thrown in the minutes that followed. The second-moto wasn't long thereafter, and Deegan's ability to shift through the transmission while attacking initial portions of the racecourse would equate to fifth in the running order being sustained. He quickly passed Ryder DiFrancesco to claim fourth, but could sense that KTM's Tom Vialle was pursuing him with all of his might. And after being overtaken by the French rider prior to the fourth lap being completed, it was a matter of Deegan attempting to mimic the line choices of the former MXGP champion. That game-plan would be deemed successful as Haiden passed Justin Cooper in the process, and with Vialle undergoing a bit of misfortune, Deegan's perseverance through the trials of this rugged racetrack then aided his acceleration to third...which was finalized as all was settled in the Chicagoland area; occupying third overall (as well) and gaining a spectacular sum of points in regard to the SMX championship.

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