PHIL NICOLETTI - GRIT 233 450SMX

PHIL NICOLETTI | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX

The perspective of ClubMX Yamaha's Phil Nicolettiwhen rolling onto the raceway for Saturday's event would be one of fast-pace(s) and adrenaline-filled antics. This layout in Illinois would encompass the idea of extensive momentum, arguably more than any outdoor layout that we'd seen thus far in the summer series as well. Nonetheless, the veteran from New York was ready for battle from the moment he began to amass countless laps in qualification...where he was powering through the deepest lines on the course with authority while handling the chassis with perfect marksmanship. There was little room to "breathe" and relax from the constant barrage of attack in which one was under, but the rather sizable doubles when approaching the finish-line were a place where he could briefly regain his composure before embarking into the next segment(s) of racing action...and that's exactly what occurred throughout the first moto where the Yamaharider flourished despite being submerged amongst a pack of grueling competitors. His pattern through the rollers leading into the finish-line area would begin with a superb triple and manual(ing) sequence, which was executed time and time again while under pressure from that of Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger, while residing in sixth! Seeing the halfway point come to fruition, he had to be mindful of the wash-out(s) that were beginning to become more apparent amongst the inside(s) of the tightest corners...but with adequate throttle control and an upright position when weighting the front forks he was able to maintain a solid position in the running order which ultimately led to an incredible seventh-place being sustained at the finish line, which was ahead of Cooper Webb and teammate Garrett Marchbanks. The field then erupted for one further occasion in the latter half of the evening and Nicoletti's start was incredible...arguably one of the greatest of his career, as he claimed the hole-shot and displayed extraordinary speed atop the leaderboard Nearly holding the lead for a lap, his ability to stay focused after the gate malfunction and pressure from Jett Lawrence, would be extremely admirable. Despite being passed in the minutes thereafter (by riders like Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton) Nicoletti proceeded to blast sand and clay from his rear tire throughout the first five laps of action while athletes weaved amongst teammates and adversaries of opposing manufacturers alike. Speeding on the outskirt of the raceway, his ability to stay on the throttle amongst hard-packed terrain would be paramount in the twelfth through fourteenth minutes of competition...where fatigue was beginning to set in on behalf of countless opponents, and the slicker spots on the raceway were now glistening with a bit of dew that had fallen. He would have to put his all into the Chicago course though, knowing that Justin Barciawould topple him if he were to cease his current level of speed with the checkered flag becoming nearer. And as all was said and done, Nicoletti's proficient stance throughout the twelve lap sequence was worthy of applause - garnering ninth in the latter moto of the night show, for a well-deserved eighth place overall!

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