MAX ANSTIE - GRIT 258 250SX

GRIT-258 | 250 SX

July 15th, 2024 3:00 pm

After recently joining the 250MX outdoor division for the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team, Britain's Max Anstie was eager to begin competition in Minnesota for the seventh round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. His speed in practice was evident, and he appeared more than prepared for the first moto. Once shifting into gear, he awaited for the pin to unlatch before sprinting from the gate with ambition of moving to the front of the field. After accumulating a tenth-place residency at the green flag, he proceeded to steadily move forward throughout the next few laps, working to as high as ninth after passing Julien Beaumer. He remained in this realm for the majority of the moto, eventually surpassing Joey Savatgy, too, while seeking to track-down Husqvarna's Casey Cochran. The rookie was riding well though, and it would take Anstie a significant amount of time to move past the Husqvarna rider...once there (on lap nine), he then approached the rear wheel of Ty Masterpool. The speedy, Kawasaki rider was rather proficient in the sand, but the former MXGP prowess of Anstie had to be acknowledged by the Texas native...leading to Anstie making the move in the final portion of the moto. Though simultaneously surpassed by Jordon Smith, Anstie appeared to latch-onto his teammate while traveling to the eventual checkered flag...where both put forth an admirable pace, while Max acquired the seventh-place position. For the second race of the afternoon, Anstie would begin in fourth, and reside within the highest tier of the 250cc hierarchy for the duration of the moto. Though the track was extremely challenging, due to the rain that had fallen, Anstie excelled just as he'd done in previous mud races. As five minutes of the moto would pass, England's Anstie had slightly descended to sixth, but quickly regained his flow en route to further positioning. These conditions, were of familiarity to the Yamaha rider...and he appeared to flourish even more as the track became tougher! Surrounded by opponents like Levi Kitchen and Ryder DiFrancesco, Anstie had little room for error...but proceeded to march forward with confidence, while slashing through the muddiest areas of the raceway. He would gain a position as Tom Vialle crashed to the ground, and then was in command of the fifth place residency for a bit of time. However in the laps that followed, the veteran was "slick" with his line choices and passing maneuvers, overtaking Dilan Schwartz and Daxton Bennick, as he moved into the third-place position. Once there, the largest portion of the moto would be completed while Max resided in the bronze-medal standing...though Haiden Deegan was putting forth quite the effort to surpass him when nearing the checkered flag. But Anstie remained composed under pressure, securing a third-place moto score, and a brilliant fourth-place overall feat as well!

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