TALON HAWKINS - GRIT 246 250SX

GRIT-246 |250 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

The atmosphere in St.Louis, Missouri was electric on Saturday evening - with fans of the Midwest arriving to this particular Supercross event, with hopes of watching the best athletes from around the world compete on a technical racing layout. Many, while analyzing the day-time practice sessions, could sense that California's Talon Hawkins was a legitimate contender for a top-ten overall. Amongst many attendees who were avid fantasy players themselves, he was instantly considered a standout selection in regard to amassing an astounding amount of points. He brought a replicated sense of intensity to the line for the first (of three) main events, for this Triple Crown Format, after winning the LCQ with brilliant riding expertise. As the gate(s) fell and the field dove into turn number one, intense scouring of the racing surface was broadcast on his behalf; hoping to take advantage of the smooth raceway while making as many passes as possible, with the riders in bundles. He emerged around a standing of eighth in the early going and knew that sort of momentum could be sustained throughout the five-minute mark. He rapidly approached the finish line double while compression the suspension of his KTM machine, in order to stay low and nullify the "pop" of the concluding obstacle. Doing so as well on the abrupt step/up thereafter, he ducked into the apex of the corner that followed with his attention focused on barreling into the upcoming switchbacks with as much momentum as the racing surface would allow. Leaping over the latter "SX" triple thereafter, he forced Max Miller who was behind him to let off the throttle a bit when going past the mechanics area about fifteen-seconds (or so) later...though the KTM rider remained persistent all the way to the checkered flag. Ultimately finalized in tenth, there was little time to waste prior to the following main event. As the green flag was cast for this particular bout, Hawkins seemed to be paralleled to a pack of riders including fellow Californian Carson Mumford . There wasn't any room for error as ruts had now grown deeper - in a differing sense that what was etched at Seattle, yet still rather solid in the sense that cross-rutting was always a negative variable that could be undergone. Staying balanced aboard the KTM chassis, he skied over the substantially grooved "SX" triple while letting the engine bark to the highest degree - landing with an authoritative thud, before embarking on the final stages of the moto. Eventually categorized in twelfth, it was then time to partake in the final showcase of the evening. Through the sweeping corners of the circuit, the "fastest" lines per se had now migrated from the top of the berm, to various insides at the smallest angle(s) of elevation. He continued to find them, mimicking Cooper Webb in the 450cc class while keeping Cole Thompson at bay for the entire duration of the moto. Securing tenth (again) at the line, as all was said and done, his accumulation of scores equated to tenth overall, amongst this stacked roster of talent.

More from GRIT