MAX ANSTIE - GRIT 247 250SX

GRIT-247 | 250 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

There was little caution, as Max Anstie sped around the track for practice - accelerating through lines that were both troublesome and pristine; knowing that every bit of knowledge gained, would be a means of advancement in the races on the horizon. His corner speed (as in previous rounds) was next level...and translated into the opening stages of the second-heat, where the field would battle with immense intensity. He immediately bolted to the first-place position while hoping to put forth two, to three sprint laps before the white flag was going to be thrown. The process of leaping into the rhythm lane after the sand (with a valiant standing pre-load to begin), he couldn't overlook the constant charge of Yamaha's Coty Schock that was being put forth behind him. The constant revving from that of Schock would make many in his shoes waver...but he remained vigilant and hit his marks; particularly in the corners that preceded the whoop section, where second and third gear seemed to be encountered with a polished output of RPM. Three minutes to go, two minutes to go, and then the aforementioned white flag was cast - though the aspiration(s) of clinching the checkered flag remained imminent throughout the final quest. He executed when it mattered most, taking advantage of the (relative) smooth track that was at his disposal - and as he conducted the perfect game-plan en route to the checkered flag, a much deserved, heat race win was his for the taking! Shifting into gear for the main event, Anstie would immediately infiltrate a position of sixth in the initial stages of the finalé. The Massachusetts crowd was on their feet, with action in the Northeast coming to a boil within the opening five minutes - with riders from various brands contending for the highest of positions on the leaderboard. The war between he and GasGas' Pierce Brown would carry into the sixth and seventh minutes of action, as both countered one another in the abrupt switchback(s) just after the whoops; toggling between seat-hopping over the plateau or trying to leap from the obstacle and into the forthcoming corner...all the while (both) of them had gained a position due to Seth Hammaker's mistake. It was a chess match, where even the smallest of wrong moves could result in a loss of position. Bypassing the halfway point, he proceeded to continue scrubbing the finish line double with fluidity, proving that he maintained control despite the latter portion(s) of the field falling victim to arm pump and fatigue...with this Massachusetts circuit constantly evolving closer to the checkered flag. Avoiding problematic pot-holes and square-edges that had formed in all facets of the track, the battle between he and the Utah native never wavered...though the GasGas rider would eventually put his machine ahead, once and for all. Now fifth, there wasn't much that separated Anstie from being established in the aforementioned position as all was finalized - generating a commendable performance, before heading to the state of Tennessee!

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