GARRETT MARCHBANKS | GRIT-231 | 450MX

Looking to cap his 2023 AMA Pro Motocross tenure with an excellent performance, ClubMX Yamaha’s Garrett Marchbanks would survey the track for qualification with his vision seeking the fastest pathways. Dozens of lines had formed within the first few laps of free practice, creating a treacherous canvas for the Utah native to compete upon prior to gathering his fastest time of the morning hours. Nonetheless, Marchbanks excelled as he had in previous weeks and did his best to gather a formidable start to begin the first moto. The field would shuffle rather rapidly despite the narrowing opening sequences, where Marchbanks crested the opening anthill and wheel-tapped his way into the gigantic uphill leap, and possessed an identical state of fearlessness over the inbound tabletop as well. There was little that could stop him from occupying a position inside the top-six, where even with a multitude of astounding competitors in front of him, the Yamaha rider still managed to identify with a similar flow to that of Jason Anderson, Adam Cianciarulo, and other factory-contracted professionals. Into the abundance of sawdust his chassis would fly, time and time again amongst the first ten minutes of action. The downhill after the infield tabletop (especially) would be comprised of an abundance of wood-chips and such, where Marksbanks used his aforementioned experience at ClubMX to excel upon. And when doing so, many in the crowd would notice his gap between he and Harri Kullas beginning to lengthen, which took them past the halfway point. With Marchbanks occupying a strong position in the running order, it very well appeared as though he could withstand the charge from Canada’s Dylan Wright who was advancing rather quickly...and Marchbanks fortitude would eventually be enough to secure seventh; which was extremely well-respected, prior to embarking on the second moto. Though a problematic first lap was on tap for the ClubMX rider, the Utah native was resilient in his charge to the front of the field in the circuits thereafter. Using various outside lines as a means to avoid riders stalling and jamming within confined inside grooves, Marchbanks would somehow manage to secure eleventh by lap eight. The fight into the top-ten, at that point, was certain to be difficult; with a multitude of variables and strong competitors opposing him...but Marchbanks would thrive amongst the stressful environment and would pass into eighth by lap thirteen. His advancement past that of Shane McElrath and Freddie Noren would be impressive, proving that he could rival (and surpass) the veterans of the division with fortitude and tenacity. Though it was Phil Nicoletti who was the rider within the scope of his lens as the teammates zeroed-in on the finish-line; with Marchbanks just under a second behind his Yamaha counterpart! Garrett was then finalized in eighth, after a phenomenal ride in the final moto of the series — which translated to a remarkable sixth place overall, in the record book(s).

DIRTY 100 LOGO

More from GRIT

CHRIS BLOSE | GRIT-207 | 250SX

CHRIS BLOSE | GRIT-207 | 250SX With a newfound roster of riders being set to battle in Houston, the industry would anticipate fireworks from the moment practice began on Saturday. An optimal course had been developed for all of these athletes to compete on, including none other than veteran, Chris Blose. The Monster Energy Pro…

Read More

CULLIN PARK | GRIT-207 | 250SX

CULLIN PARK | GRIT-207 | 250SX Exhibiting a tireless work ethic in the weeks leading up to the inception of the 250cc East Coast Championship, Cullin Park couldn’t wait for his wheels to roll onto the raceway in Houston, Texas. Press Day would go rather well for all involved parties, and would forecast the specific…

Read More

CHANCE HYMAS | GRIT-207 | 250SX

CHANCE HYMAS | GRIT-207 | 250SX With all in his supporting cast working with a resilient mindset, Chance Hymas would embody the same characteristics while racing the clock on Saturday afternoon at NRG Stadium. This track would possess a good mix of technical sections, along with adequate straightaways for a motorcycle to unleash its true…

Read More

TOM VIALLE | GRIT-207 | 250SX

TOM VIALLE | GRIT-207 | 250SX Categorized as one of the most talented members of this 250cc division, the resumé of Tom Vialle would speak volumes. He seized every opportunity thus far in his career and was certain to be fully focused on the task(s) at hand while competing in Southern Texas on Saturday. Surveying…

Read More

MICHAEL MOSIMAN | GRIT-207 | 250SX

MICHAEL MOSIMAN | GRIT-207 | 250SX 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…

Read More

ADAM CIANCIARULO | GRIT-207 | 450SX

ADAM CIANCIARULO | GRIT-207 | 450SX With Malcolm Stewart unfortunately sidelined with injury, riders like Adam Cianciarulo knew that there would be position(s) to grab well within the range of a top-ten overall. But the desired accolades weren’t going to be easy to obtain, especially with Justin Cooper (and others) amongst an influx of riders…

Read More

JOEY SAVATGY | GRIT-207 | 450SX

JOEY SAVATGY | GRIT-207 | 450SX A mix of veterans and younger competitors were amongst the field of highly talented 450cc athletes in Houston; and with the momentum that Joey Savatgy had recently been accruing, it was apparent that he’d be a betting favorite (for a single-digit finish) by the time the main event would…

Read More

KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-207 | 450SX

KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-207 | 450SX Though the track was a bit moist when practices began, Ken Roczen would be able to oblige to the conditions and acquire a bundle of serious lap-times throughout Saturday afternoon. With Chase Sexton running near the fifty-second mark, there were a myriad of riders that were following suit in…

Read More

JUSTIN COOPER | GRIT-207 | 450SX

JUSTIN COOPER | GRIT-207 | 450SX The plethora of switchbacks this track offered provided excellent racing for the round of Houston; where riders were ultra competitive from the moment free practice began. Justin Cooper and his Yamaha were one of the most eye-catching tandems of the 450cc qualification realm, launching the middle quadruple jump with…

Read More

JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-207 | 450SX

JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-207 | 450SX Advancing through the first few rounds of the series, Justin Barciawould have his sights set on generating a promising performance at NRG Stadium. Not only would this round offer new soil compositions, but it would be a closed-roof course…which was a blessing to many on the tour who yearned…

Read More

Recent News

COLT NICHOLS – GRIT 233 450SMX

COLT NICHOLS | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX Seeking to portray his best efforts on this hybrid racing circuit, Muskogee, Oklahoma’s Colt Nichols would be a resilient athlete throughout the overcast conditions of practice, where he continuously presented astounding lap-times amongst names like Jett Lawrence, Chase Sexton, and countless other world-renowned competitors. The soil in Joliet…

Read More

JASON ANDERSON – GRIT 233 450SMX

JASON ANDERSON | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX Jason Anderson’s style would gel extremely well with the terrain of Joliet, Illinois; as the industry arrived and competed upon a newfound course at Chicagoland Speedway. The motocross-esque layout would play into the hand of Anderson’s array of tricks and tools, where his machine that was branded with…

Read More

PHIL NICOLETTI – GRIT 233 450SMX

PHIL NICOLETTI | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX The perspective of ClubMX Yamaha’s Phil Nicolettiwhen rolling onto the raceway for Saturday’s event would be one of fast-pace(s) and adrenaline-filled antics. This layout in Illinois would encompass the idea of extensive momentum, arguably more than any outdoor layout that we’d seen thus far in the summer series…

Read More

COOPER WEBB – GRIT 233 450SMX

COOPER WEBB | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX The North Carolina native was excited to begin another segment of the SMX championship via outdoor formatting in Joliet, Illinois, with a two-moto ensemble being the means of accruing a significant sum of points…giving him a platform to demonstrate consistency over the course of the evening’s itinerary in…

Read More

JUSTIN BARCIA – GRIT 233 450SMX

JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX Undoubtedly one of the most talented riders in the field, GasGas’ Justin Barcia was an athlete that many felt could contend for the highest of results while stationed in Illinois…and the number fifty-one would do just that after leaving the crowd in disbelief throughout time(d) trials. The New…

Read More

DYLAN FERRANDIS – GRIT 233 450SMX

DYLAN FERRANDIS | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX After proving that his talent was elite on the SMX circuit last week, France’s Dylan Ferrandis would embark on another round of the three-race playoff format while residing in Joliet, Illinois for the weekend. The former outdoor motocross champion would be pleased to see the wide-open layout that…

Read More

AARON PLESSINGER – GRIT 233 450SMX

AARON PLESSINGER | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX Recently announced, and declared as a team member of the United States Motocross of Nations squad, Ohio’s Aaron Plessinger would welcome even more applause than what he was typically accustomed to as fans arrived at the Chicagoland Speedway. The KTM athlete was excited to represent his country overseas…

Read More

CHASE SEXTON – GRIT 233 450SMX

CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX Following his win in Charlotte last weekend, Chase Sexton returned to his hometown area to compete in front of thousands of fans at the Chicagoland facility. Though being swept by Jett Lawrence in the outdoor championship, Sexton yearned to prove that he could topple the prowess of the…

Read More

KEN ROCZEN – GRIT 233 450SMX

KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX Suzuki’s Ken Roczen would return to the racetrack with an encouraging pairing of results last weekend in Charlotte, and planned to do much the same while stationed in the Midwest for the second round of the playoff’s in the SuperMotocross World Championship. The racing pedigree of the rider…

Read More

JETT LAWRENCE – GRIT 233 450SMX

JETT LAWRENCE | GRIT-233 | 450 SMX With the layout in Chicago designed with an outdoor-style configuration, many enthusiasts of the sport would assume that Honda’s Jett Lawrence would thrive as racing action came to fruition. And following the multitude of practice sessions that took place over the course of the weekend, they were deemed…

Read More