Yearning to make an impact at the season opener, the demeanor of Michael Mosiman was one of determination as practice began on Saturday afternoon. He would do whatever it took to make his way to the front of the line for qualification and pressed forward as much as possible while constantly looking at the Monster Energy scoring tower to see who was a standout amongst this highly competitive 250 field. Briefly stopping into the mechanic’s area on an occasion or two, he would adjust his machine as needed; though the GasGas motorcycle appeared to be tracking extremely well through each bowl(ed) turn on the circuit. Solidified in a qualifying position, he would propel his way into heat one where a strong start would be critical. There was little room to give upon rounding the opening bend, and after leaping through the rhythm lane prior to the whoop section it was easy to see that the aforementioned determination had carried into this round as well. Ruts that had been carved amongst the exits of the corners were growing deeper by the lap, especially in the corner after the finish line. Obliterating the bends with brute power, he would exhibit all in his arsenal while looking to go after Henry Miller who stood before him. The opponent would stretch the gap in certain areas, while he seemed to diminish the margin when popping over the tunnel-jump and into the accompanying right-handed corner. This would carry into the fourth and fifth circuit, where his aspirations of a top four were sustained with the white flag looming in the distance. Eventually barreling past the referee atop the finish-line, he had carved a position into the main event roster that couldn’t be forged. Twenty-two of the fastest competitors in the 250cc classification now were amongst the battlefield; throwing caution to the wind as they soared two (and three) wide over the “SX” triple on the opening two circuits. He had to remain composed while the cheers from the crowd, roar from engines, and his inner dialogue were all quarreling amongst one another; somehow executing specific line choices while leaping through the tens of obstacles that were on the horizon in the laps to follow. Though the front wheel would attempt to wash-out in the subtle, swaying bend just after the whoops, he maintained adequate body position while fighting through the pack from around the fifteenth position. The bike appeared to be battered from afar, but the fighting spirit of Mosiman wasn’t something that would subside...and as he clawed his way to sixth overall, he knew that furthered results could be generate in the weeks to follow.