race recap
ROBBIE WAGEMAN | GRIT-219 | 250SX
May 9, 2023 · Robbie Wageman
ROBBIE WAGEMAN | GRIT-219 | SX 250
Even as the 250F engines were running with a bit less power output than usual, California's Robbie Wageman and his Suzuki RM-Z250 were immediately found pushing a pace throughout day-time qualifying that had to be recognized. Doing his best to master the largest triples in the rhythm section(s) after the start, the gaps between the various singles were rather risky...but the Newhall native was willing to push the pace; and vowed to do all in his power to ascend inside the top-ten by the time all was said and done in Denver. He would eventually be listed in the first heat race of the evening, surrounded by some of the best in the 250cc West Coast division as they dispersed into the first corner immediately thereafter. With his elbows wide, he wasn't afraid of banging against the occasional lever of an opposition, or scraping plastic when the time called for it. He knew that time was critical during this short sprint, therefore his various "cut-downs" amid bowl turns (in particular before the finish-line) war warranted, where he did his best to generate a significant margin between he and Brandon Ray who trailed. The two were inseparable as they sped to the mechanic's area, where he did his best to remain focused while aiming toward the corner ahead - disregarding any messages he would see on rivaled competitors pit board(s). There was no absence of power as he seat-hopped onto the tabletop just after the first corner, nearly clipping the following single with his rear wheel before leaping into the air to complete a following ensemble of jumps...all the while pulling from the aforementioned Ray (along with Cole Thompson) en route to the finish line. Ultimately generating a tremendous score of fifth, there was little time to spare prior to embarking on the main event; where numerous eyes were focused on Honda's Jett Lawrence in his quest for the championship. Though he was amid a battle of his own, rivaling Mitchell Harrison in the earliest of stages while clinging to the handlebars with strength (albeit with a loose grip). His opportunity to gain ground on the positions of those inside the top-nine would be tangible, and made in the corner(s) that preceded the largest double on the track; where he scrubbed and returned to the ground before the whoop section as quickly as possible before pummeling the moguls that were almost unrecognizable from their original form. This would carry through the twelfth and thirteen minute(s) of competition, with the checkered flag in sight. And with riders outside of the top twelve beginning to make further(ed) errors, it was a race against he and fellow Californian (Dilan Schwartz) for the tenth position...he would defend his stake in tenth until crossing the final stripe, which was admirable given the stakes that this Denver event provided.