JASON ANDERSON GRIT-225 450MX

JASON ANDERSON | GRIT-225 | 450MX

Entering into the top-five, was a goal that was constantly maintained by Kawasaki's Jason Andersonwho had thoroughly established himself as a dominant presence amongst outdoor circuits around the globe in year's past. And that mantra was carried through the Red Bud National as well, as he returned to action following an injury on the SX circuit - beginning with an array of practice laps that eventually had him sustained in a position of thirdprior to looking forward to the first moto thereafter. Following 250cc action that had just concluded prior to him departing from the gate, he would make sure of aiming for the inner most point of turn number one (if possible) as soon as he leapt from the grate. Much would be the case, as a swarm of rampant motorcycles would carve their way through the first lap(s) of competition - and he would manage to corral a position of seventh. You could sense the determination of the New Mexico native as he locked into the lines on the track, with Freddie Norenand Lorenzo Locurcionot too far behind. The margin for error was extremely thin, but he proceeded to ride the perimeter of the track more often than not, developing a flow that was hard for others behind him to mimc. This would lead to the twenty-minute mark, where he would do everything possible in order to overtake KTM's Aaron Plessinger who was in front of him; but unfortunately it was to no avail. However, a mistake on behalf of both Ty Masterpool and Adam Cianciarulo would move him to fifth in the closing moments of the moto, which wasn't necessarily the way he wanted to gain positions, but the persistence of the Kawasaki rider ultimately paid off. Finalized in fifth, Jason then looked forward to the next round of racing. He would race through the first few laps of this segment with tremendous expertise, proving that his race-craft on the roughened circuit was hard to match; though the likes of Jett Lawrenceand Dylan Ferrandis (who occupied the first two positions) seemed to have an identical rhythm. Scrubbing the flyaway tabletop through the trees before heading to the finish-line, it was evident that his pace was equivalent to a position at the front of the field, if he could manage to remain loose as the track deteriorated. Through laps seven, eight, and nine, there was a definitive charge that he exhibited before moving into the final stage(s) - which allowed him to pull from Lorenzo Locurcio once and for all. And despite being a recipient of fatigue and lack of racing experience this summer, Anderson's perseverance through the final ten minutes would be a trait that led him to a position behind his teammate, Adam Cianciarulo - eventually obtaining a standing of seventh, for fifth overall on the day!

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