ROBBIE WAGEMAN - GRIT 240 250SX

GRIT-240 | 250 SX

The Californian returned to action in Glendale while seeking strong results, knowing that the work that was put forth in the week's prior was destined to equate to an extraordinary performance while stationed in Arizona. Robbie Wageman presented an electric pace when speeding around the track for qualification, toggling between inside and outside pathways while constantly shifting through the transmission. This led to an even higher output of speed being demonstrated in his heat race where the number seventy-three navigated to an immediate standing of sixth, all the while presenting multiple lunges at members of the top-five; including ClubMX Yamaha's Garrett Marchbanks! The rhythm lanes were extremely long on this circuit, with gaps/combinations of obstacles that hadn't been seen in quite sometime. Though Wageman's fearlessness flourished when soaring from the crests of specific takeoff's, refusing to relinquish his grip on the throttle while being pursued by that of fellow Yamaha rider, Cole Thompson. The margin of error was thin with speeds that accompanied the third, fourth, and fifth gear settings, but there wasn't anything that was going to divert Wageman from acquiring a direct transferring bid to the main event; powering to the finish-line takeoff on the third and fourth laps with little engine braking, and refuting any claims of his opponents (i.e. Thompson and Suzuki's Max Miller) who were relentlessly trying to counter his advancement forward. Through the sixth minute of action, it was paramount for Robbie to leap into the opening rhythm lane with a burst of notable RPM; even with small knuckles beginning to emerge amongst the fourth and fifth single, that could buck the rear-end of his machine if he weren't careful. Nevertheless, the momentum generated in the aforementioned section of jumps, was sustained through the whoops and sand thereafter...en route to a solid standing of sixth; which was a notable feat for the native of Newhall, California. As the gates crashed for the finally, the pack stormed into the opening bend with little regard for consequences...as some darted to the outside tuff-blocks, while a few nearly clipped the inner-most barrier while hugging the left-handed bend. Wageman would reside around a standing of fifth and proceed to engage in a brilliant five-minute sprint that solidified him amongst a pace that was a paralleled to those at the highest tier. Executing the process of seat-hopping over the largest gapped double on the track, he would land on the outside of the obstacle while abruptly cutting to the apex of the one-eighty-degree corner thereafter; with hopes of keeping Jo Shimoda at bay as they sped to the halfway point. Though the number thirty would overtake him as they completed the opening third of the moto, Wageman still looked extremely solid within the sixth-place standing! The process of remaining resilient under pressure wasn't a task for those who lacked self belief, and as the process of nearing the checkered flag became more real, the longevity of Wageman's sense of fortitude seemed to be actualized. The course was breaking down, but Robbie's mentality prevailed...even after battling and losing a position to Julien Beaumer. Veteran Phil Nicoletti was on the move too, and as the number thirty-six moved forward (definitively) near the tenth circuit, Robbie proceeded to latch on...following the ClubMX rider past Carson Mumford, while also distancing his machine from Hunter Yoder and Anthony Bourdon who trailed! Eventually solidified in ninth, Wageman's stance within the top-ten was admirable for this event in Arizona!

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