race recap
JOSH HILL | GRIT-219 | 450SX
May 9, 2023 · Josh Hill
JOSH HILL | GRIT-219 | SX 450
With the round of Nashville forcing many riders out with serious injury, the top-ten positions of overall standing in the 450cc class would be up for grabs as the green flag waved in Denver. This was apparent to veteran riders like Team Tedder's Josh Hill, who'd persevered through the toughest of conditions on the AMA SX circuit; fighting through the elements of various stops on the tour, to ultimately end the 20223 championship on a high note. And by all means, would the former main event winnerwant to immediately engage in a persona of competitiveness that would be carried throughout the night show; landing from the finish-line with aggression as he pursued his fastest lap of qualification. Eventually residing ninthbefore entering into the night-show, there was little that could stop him from immediately transferring to the main event as the gate(s) fell in Colorado. The largest rhythm lane on the track would be a pivotal point for all in the 450cc class, as the fastest riders in the field were completing back to back triples following the initial step-on/step-off; and landing with a smooth flow amid the transitions before speeding through the ninety-degree right-handed corner that followed. There were a few moments on the racetrack where close calls could lead to big mistakes, especially when application of the front-brake would be applied a bit too much in the right-handed corner beside the mechanic's area; nearly knifing the front-end of his KTMbut overcoming the close-call with world-class technique and strength. Ultimately doing enough to maintain the sixth-placeposition to the checkered flag, he knew that a substantial finish could be accrued for the main event following the gate(s) collapsing in Denver. He would be located around eleventh to begin the twenty-minute (plus one lap) quest at high altitude, willing to play "the long game" though immediately establishing a remarkable pace amongst the first five laps of action. Maneuvering the chassis to the right as he launched over the largest double on the track, he would blitz the moguls just off the mid-line with steadfast speed before squaring-up the corner before the finish-line - knowing that Grant Harlanwas only bike lengths away from his rear wheel throughout this grueling main event process. He escaped the pressure of the Manluk Rock River Racing rider time and time again as the halfway point then came to pass, attacking the wall jump and small single thereafter (before the finish-line) as the rear wheel continued to spin with ruthless aggression. He was willing to chip away at the checkered flag with fortitude, making sure that the gap between he and Suzuki's Kyle Chisholmcouldn't be infiltrated (after passing the number eleven on the sixteenth lap); and would eventually cross the line in seventh, which was a spectacular accolade with both he and his brother at the front of the field!