race recap
MALCOLM STEWART - GRIT 254 450SX
June 10, 2024
GRIT-254 | 450 SX
June 10th, 2024 3:30 pm
Continuing to appear as legitimate threat for consistent single-digit finishes within the 450MX class, Malcolm Stewart would storm onto the track in Colorado with top-tier intensity. He wasted no-time in showing his skills on the hillside(s) of Lakewood, and sprinted to a standing of eleventh before all concluded for qualification. Once into the moto's that followed, Malcolm sped through the first lap, not far from the rear wheel of Chase Sexton. Sexton, would reside seventh, while Malcolm took eighth...and Stewart began to analyze the pathways of the Hangtown winner. On the initial downhill of the circuit, Stewart appeared to be attacking the corner that followed with as much intensity as anyone - where thousands in the crowd could hear his 450cc engine rev to the highest extent, before he carved through the ruts thereafter with the front wheel of his Husqvarna chassis attempting to hover above the ground! Stewart was aware of the pressure that both, Christian Craig and Dylan Ferrandis were attempting to provide...but he wasn't going to fold, to either of the fellow 250cc standouts. Through the fifteenth, sixteenth, and eventual seventeenth lap(s), Malcolm remained engaged and wouldn't fade - ultimately gathering a solid score of seventh, before exiting the raceway. He seemed prepared to excel in the altitude once more as he aligned on the grid for the second race of the afternoon, and immediately pushed forward to a registry of eighth-place ahead of Christian Craig. Stewart was relentless in trying to overtake Justin Barcia, but the GasGas rider was exceptional with defensive tactics (and unquestionable speed, as well) which deterred Stewart from finding an open portion of raceway to surpass him. Malcolm was willing to give it his all though, and excelled in the final stages as Dylan Ferrandis' mistake(s) provided an opening of sorts for Stewart to make the pass stick, once and for all. Just when it seemed as if there wasn't much of an opportunity left, the never-give-up attitude of Stewart prevailed...where he passed the French rider with only seconds of race track left to complete. He would acquire the seventh position on the leaderboard as all was said and done, and with the combination of scores, the Haines City native was listed as the recipient of eighth overall - which continued his streak of astounding finishes, thus far in the 2024 450MX Championship.