race recap
LORENZO LOCURCIO GRIT-223 450MX
June 14, 2023 · Lorenzo Locurcio

LORENZO LOCURCIO | GRIT-223 | 450MX
Even with adverse conditions looming in the air (i.e. precipitation), Lorenzo Locurcioknew that he would be prepared for whatever circumstances would arise as festivities began in Colorado. He gelled with this track, and the elevation changes were something that he looked forward to for quite sometime in the days leading up to the event - and were reflected in incredible lap-times throughout the duration of time(d) trials. As practice was completed in the late morning hours, he would roll to the line with his focus set on obtaining clear vision (via a strong jump from the starting grid). And in the second(s) thereafter, he would emerge from the rather abrupt/tight-funneling right-handed corner around a position near the top-twenty; though he sought to immediately pass opponents in bundles in the turn thereafter prior to embarking on the opening straightaway(s) of the circuit. Launching into a multitude of ruts that were similar to the grooves at Hangtown (although a bit softer due to the moisture), he would have to be precise when leaping too far into a particular line, as one small miscue could result in a devastating crash into the Lakewood soil. Fortunately he was able to ride on a fine line of precision and "pushing the envelope" if you will, piecing together a pattern of pathways in various sectors that translated to furthered positionsas laps progressed. The Yamahaof Luca Marsalisiwould be persistently revving as they launched the largest step-up on the track, landing with a harsh thud from both of the athletes as they returned to the racetrack beneath them...never once foregoing an opportunity to charge as the twenty-five minute mark came to pass. He was able to muster the energy though to obtain the twelfth-place position as all was said and done though, taking in as much oxygen as possible as he departed from the raceway and set out for moto two. Riders were then seen storming into the opening bend again some five to six bikes wide as they rounded the opening bend, where he reached into his arsenal of tricks and found a few stellar rhythms when bouncing through the longest roller section on laps three, four, and five. This allowed him to sustain a formidable pace around the tenth-place position, where his GasGas machine seemed to work well when exiting corners that were filled with jagged pot-holes while he overtly twisted the throttle to its fullest capacity. He showed no regard for Marshal Weltinwho was attempting to latch onto his rear wheel, roosting the Michigannative with every ounce of RPM that could be generated via projectile, back-tire(d) propulsion! And it wasn't as if those antics would ever dissipate as the race neared conclusion. Though the timer would near expiration, he wasn't going to let Freddie Noren around when lunging for ninth-place...which ultimately had him established in a hard-fought tenth overall in the 450cc division.