race recap
LORENZO LOCURCIO | GRIT-221 | 450MX
June 2, 2023 · Lorenzo Locurcio
LORENZO LOCURCIO | GRIT-221 | 450MX
The former standout in American amateur motocross, Venezuela's Lorenzo Locurcio would return to the United States to compete at round one of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The number 103 was experienced in numerous racing forms, and proceeded to engage in some of the highest speeds of anyone (after qualifying eleventh) as practice concluded. This would give him a solid gate choice for the first moto, where the field accelerated into the opening corner at the height of fourth gear; before descending and barreling around the initial circuit with their vision set on the forthcoming right-handed corner as well. Locurcio was amid the front of the pack, and battling for the seventh place position just behind Adam Cianciarulo. At that point, he could sense that Derek Drake, Grant Harlan, and countless other exceptional riders were behind him; but Locurcio wasn't going to break amongst pressure, and continued to press toward the finish-line with one hundred percent effort. Entering into the infield over the flyaway tabletop, he always seemed to be a couple of corners ahead in regard to making his next move. Avoiding problematic pot-holes and acceleration bumps when exiting certain turns, it was easy to see his previous outdoor experience and overall prowess be displayed as the checkered flag grew nearer. And though unable to pass Adam Cianciarulo (who occupied the sixth-place position) Lorenzo would sustain his place of seventh until scores were finalized, which was tremendous given the level of competition. Not long thereafter would he return to the racetrack to compete in the following moto; but he appeared to be caught in traffic after a mistake of sorts in the earliest of corners, which had him residing twenty-fifth when passing the initial timing and scoring sensor(s). He would do his best to mimic Adam Cianciarulo as they navigated through traffic, with the Factory Kawasaki rider speeding away a bit, but never too far out of reach where Locurcio would lose sight (at least initially). The pursuit of a higher position was the motivating factor for Lorenzo to "ride on the edge" when necessary; including when nearing the Monster Energy step-up that was absolutely littered with tremendous braking bumps. He would pass riders like Kyle Chisholm and Jerry Robin in the latter stages, refusing to give up as he became solidified in eleventh in the final standings...to ultimately claim a tremendous ninth-place overall as final results were configured.