At each 2016 AMA Pro Motocross National this summer we're going to bring you the story, in photos, of how some racers did on their race day. In case you couldn't attend the event, and your speed didn't get much airtime within the television coverage, don't worry, i was there for you; and this is your opportunity to see their story. We'll provide you with different riders from each occasion and share them with you throughout the week, so be sure to check back. For this picture gallery, we bring you Alex Martin who went 3-4 for 3rd overall at Spring Creek.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex goes through the sand whoops in the first practice session lower by the creek. Alex said the track was way too wet and muddy and the lines weren’t excellent in the first session. Alex joked that he might have a talk with the particular track owner about the prep. Alex was able to turn 2: 22. 824 on the fourth lap for the fourth fastest time of the session.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex takes the middle line though the turn before the up-to-date Chadapult in the second practice session. The track started to dry a little and form some lines throughout the session. Alex turned a much faster time at 2: 17. 343 on his 5th lap of the session. This gave Alex the eighth overall gate pick in the initial moto, Alex commented that he wasn’t worried because he knew there were a lot of good gates that you could pull the holeshot from.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex lined up next to Joey Savatgy next to the dog house. Alex declared that he had a perfect start and has already been looking for a start like these all program. Alex took the holeshot together with his brother right behind him in 2nd place. Alex threw a huge mix on the first lap as we entered the finish line on the first panel.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex decided on a middle rut over the step up prior to the sand whoops in the middle of the first moto. Alex said that it was great in order to lead a bunch of laps at his parents track.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex took this outside series on the first downhill every panel in the first moto. Alex is usually followed by his brother Jeremy, who was taking the inside line into the inside rut before going up Martin Mountain. Alex said that when he and his brother were in the top 2 positions he could hear and see the particular hometown fans go nuts on their behalf.
Photograph by Rob Koy
Alex started to get some pressure from Cooper Webb in the second half of the moto. Alex said that he was not as well worried because there were not any good outlines for Cooper to make a pass. Alex said that he just started to loosen up and hit his lines until he lost the front end within the turn before Martin Mountain. He or she said that Cooper’s inside line might have been faster, and Alex did not adapt his lines to combat towards Cooper. Alex said that he might came in a too fast and believes that the front wheel caught a dirt patch which made him get rid of the front end.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex was able to pick the bike upward and recover with a 3rd location finish in moto one. Alex was taking the outside berm and the outside rut going up Martin Mountain. By the end of the moto, most of the cyclists were taking this line because the inside got chopped up.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex got off to his second holeshot of the day in moto two. Once again he said that he got another ideal start and was able to pull out an excellent lead exiting the first turn. Alex came into the right turn after the sand whoops when a dirt clod strike his shifter and put his bike into neutral, which made him fall over in the inside mentality and stall the bike. Alex lost a bunch of positions the first lap and was recorded in 9th place after the first lap. One thing I noticed that both Martin brothers were jumping far off the crest from the first turn every lap but not slowing down as they went around this convert.
Picture by Rob Koy
Alex could move up through the field and is at 6th place at the middle stage of the moto. Alex was using some wide lines on the monitor which had gotten rougher within the second moto, trying to keep his momentum up and find the softer ruts.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex knew that he needed to get into 4th place to secure a position on the podium. He was able to get by his teammate Aaron Plessinger and the fading Joey Savatgy. This would give Alex the particular the 3rd overall finish at his home track.
Photo by Rob Koy
Alex Martin went 3-4 just for 3rd overall at his home track, Spring Creek MX. Alex said that he believes that he might have been two mistakes away from a perfect time in his backyard. This was the first time Alex has made it on the podium with his home track, and had been happy that his brother could get the top step on the podium if he wasn’t able to get it done. It was a great day for the Martin brothers and his parents, with a effective podium finish and a successful Springtime Creek National. Alex Martin’s only complaint was with his father just for watering the track too much the night before the race, making the monitor a little one lined and dull on the way outside lines. He will possess a talk with him tonight as they hangout and catch up with many friends following the races. Alex hopes to take this weekend results and improve on all of them as the season continues.