PIERCE BROWN - GRIT 241 250SX

GRIT-241 | 250 SX

Utah's Pierce Brown was excelling aboard the GasGas machine in recent weeks, and desired to advance his racing prowess to another level as competition began in the LoneStar State. For qualification, Brown appeared as if he had solved the puzzle of a layout rather quickly; leaping over the converging, opening rhythm lane amid the first turn area with exact calculation, flying through the air while projecting an optimal landing point time and time again. He advanced through the leaderboard with promise, which translated to a standing heat two where he began the nine lap quest in fifth. Passing multiple riders, including Kawasaki's Seth Hammier to secure third by lap three, an unfortunate miscue would divert his aspirations slightly as he fell to seventh in the running order. Rebounding as quickly as possible, Brown slashed his way through the corner before the "SX" triple, cutting down with a release of the clutch and immense traction for the rear wheel...carrying a surplus of momentum onto the take-off and nullifying the excessive momentum with a valiant scrub at the jump's crest. All the while, he glanced to his right to see where Tom Vialle stood after acquiring the sixth-place position...but the gap was too large for Brown to conquer as the white flag appeared. Therefore as all was finalized, the Utah native exited the raceway in sixth while seeking an even higher standing for the finalé. As the thirty-second board went sideways for the main event, Brown's reaction time, shifting points, and process of completing the first lap equated to eleventh...though he and Max Anstie immediately began to battle for tenth from the second circuit, onward. They (he and the British rider) were fender to fender when making passes through the pack, overtaking riders like Farres from Spain, Nicholas Romano, and Chance Hymas as well. Brown was the first of the tandem to encounter approaching riders, yet somehow he managed to remain sly enough to make consistent passes, while keeping Anstie at bay as well! Certainly a difficult task with an MXGP standout nipping at his rear wheel, though Pierce proceeded to leap through the whoops with precise tripling combinations and into the gradual left-handed corner that followed with a surplus of momentum. The final three laps were crucial if he wanted to secure the fifth-place standing once and for all, and as he used Kawasaki's Seth Hammaker as a means to strive forward (as the Pennsylvanian was ahead), Brown simultaneously kept Anstie in his rearview...strong enough for fifth overall, for a spectacular day of racing.

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