PHIL NICOLETTI - GRIT 251 250SX

GRIT-251 | 250 SX

June 4th, 2024 11:00 am

With both coasts being combined for this race in Salt Lake City, the intensity on the racetrack was something not too often found in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. Athletes like Levi Kitchen, RJ Hampshire, Tom Vialle had now combined their respective forces into an all-out war of points and feat-capturing antics - creating quite the spectacle for the crowd in Utah to cheer for. Though not to be overlooked, was that of Phil Nicoletti, who announced his retirement from professional racing at the end of the 2024 season...yet still, blitzed through the whoop section at the height of (what appeared) to be third/fourth gear in qualifying, with fearlessness before entering into the left-handed bend that followed. Though furthest from forceful, his line choices looked purposeful, where every move was calculated prior to diving into the West Coast heat alongside fellow members of the respective division. Once rounding the first two laps, this simulated main event of sorts saw action-packed racing from start to finish - and he would fly over the tunnel jump with his rear wheel spinning at its highest levels, skating around the proceeding left before unleashing the highest ceiling of top-end power in the straightaways thereafter. He was aware of Cole Thompson diving into his inside lane(s) and hoping to make his way by - but numerous pivots on his behalf (which cut the angle of corner exiting) nullified the ambition of the Canadian veteran as they sped closer and closer to the end of the moto. For the final minute and a half of competition, it was an all-out blitz to the concluding double where sixth was eventually earned, after only being passed by Honda's Jo Shimoda in totality. Not long thereafter, would the finalé begin...and he managed to secure a standing of tenth as the chaos unraveled in the mountainous region. Leaping over the "SX" triple in an arcing manner, he landed on the brakes before tucking to the inside lane and maneuvering his way through the obstacles that followed...though the presence of Max Anstie was recognizable with extremely high revs being broadcast by the rider out of Britain. What little top soil that had resided on the surface was now obsolete - with every rider in the field fighting for traction while avoiding too much application of the front brake (especially in the corner before the whoops). His technique had to be the focal point, when keeping both, Coty Schock and Anstie at bay, especially after losing positions to Jalek Swoll and Chance Hymas, after fierce battling. Though pressured, any lapse of focus would result in a crash to the concrete-like terrain beneath his wheel set. He persevered fighting through minutes eleven, twelve, and thirteen, before receiving the cue from his mechanic that only a small bit of time remained. Though the fuel tank was low, and his level of fatigue would begin to rise, he showcased attrition en route to the final flag - garnering tenth overall, ahead of Coty Schock...and concluding his tenure as an SX professional, with another admirable performance.

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