race recap
RYDER DIFRANCESCO - GRIT 233 250SMX
September 19, 2023 · Ryder DiFrancesco
RYDER DIFRANCESCO | GRIT-233 | 250 SMX
After generating a tremendous fourth-place overall score last week in Charlotte, (along with a third-place ride in the second-moto), California's Ryder DiFrancesco sought to generate an equated level of intensity to the atmosphere of Chicago on this mid-September weekend. It was evident in qualification that he wanted to repeat those efforts that were previously displayed in North Carolina, where the number seventy-five could be seen upshifting while traveling from the highest of elevation at the Joliet speedway! His initial run through the first corner of the opening moto though, would be equated to a problematic crash with Justin Cooper...leaving him near the last position on the overall leaderboard, to begin the initial match of the evening. Following that though, both transmission and the body of the motorcycle were being worked to the highest extent while embarking on the laps that followed, where Ryder would weave amongst opponents such as Preston Kilroy to claim thirteenth as the earliest of minutes transpired. There was little room for error on high-speed terrain like this, but the Pro Circuit rider wasn't going to hesitate as he leapt into the rollers that preceded the finish-line - combo(ing) a series of triple and skimming maneuvers while never ceasing to let go of the throttle! Once around Dilan Schwartz though, DiFrancesco would be forced to reside here (i.e. twelfth) after a long pursuit behind that of Pierce Brown...to claim twelfth as the dust settled on the Chicagoland circuit. For moto-two, the anticipation from the crowd was high; which equated to endless cheers being presented around the raceway as the number seventy-five stormed to a position of fourth in the early going. His ability to decipher what his opponents were going to do would be incredible, and he would nearly pass that of Hunter Lawrence while following his teammate Jo Shimoda to the pinnacle of the leaderboard! Though overtaken by Haiden Deegan shortly thereafter, Ryder was capable of replicating the pace of the Yamaha opponent for quite sometime...until a bit of a lessened pace would enable Maximus Vohland, and RJ Hampshire around, along with (eventually) Yamaha's Justin Cooper. Now into seventh as laps amassed and the end was in sight, the staying power of DiFrancesco would be admirable given the stakes of the event and intensity that were brought forth by the competition...leaving him in seventh for the moto, and a noteworthy ninth overall placement for his tenure in Joliet.