FREDDIE NOREN

The steady, Freddie Noren, was once again consistent as ever as he contended at the front of the pack at the Hangtown Motocross Classic. The track had undergone serious changes, but it seemed as though whatever was thrown his way, the rider from Sweden flourished. Qualifying with a position of thirteenth, his gate choice for the first moto was admirable...and led to a standing of eighth being grasped as the green flag waved. Speeding through the arcing switchback after the finish line, his 450cc machine was pinned before storming into the tapered tabletop thereafter. Going atop the uphill that followed, he was persistent on the rear wheel while constantly “grabbing gears.” He and opponents like Phil Nicoletti were on a similar trajectory, and the friendly rivals were once again located near one another after a few laps of action. They both, would have to deal with a surging Justin Barcia however — who was revving his throttle at the highest extent, in order to try and make his way by. Noren put forth a good fight, but by thirteenth circuit (after Barcia had hounded him for the previous seven laps), Freddie was unable to sustain the previous conducted pace...and JB was able to take over his former position. Once the GasGas rider was around though, Noren did everything possible to latch onto the factory rider...charging alongside the former race winner with the utmost intensity. Freddie was bouncing through the rollers scattered across the course, even after the thirty minute mark had transpired — proving that his talent was top level, as the checkered flag was set to be thrown. Ultimately categorized in ninth, his performance for the opening moto was certainly recognize by all in attendance. Shortly thereafter, he began the second race in an even more advantageous position than what was previously established in the laps prior...garnering seventh as the green flag was thrown. He was quickly immersed in a battle with Grant Harlan, Kyle Chisholm, and Derek Kelley — but Chase Sexton was charging forward from last place, and quickly overtook Noren who kept the previous opponents at bay. Mid-moto, it was a feud between he and Dylan Ferrandis that those on the fence line would recognize — all the while Noren, would have Barcia in front of him again! However, as time would pass, multiple factory and top-tier athletes within the division would overtake Freddie...though the corner speed and race-craft fate Swedish athlete couldn’t be ignored. Ultimately passed by Malcolm Stewart and Dylan Ferrandis, Noren would occupy twelfth at the line — propelling him to a hard-fought, ninth overall on the day.