TOM VIALLE

France’s Tom Vialle wanted to obtain as many points as possible as the Thunder Valley National began on Saturday, and after qualifying fifth, it was evident that he was on a solid trajectory for superb finishes in the moto’s to follow. After garnering a second-place position at the green flag (for moto-one), Vialle was immediately fighting for the lead...just behind Haiden Deegan, and the French rider was doing everything possible to try and lessen the gap between he and the Yamaha athlete who led the field around. Vialle appeared polished, and comfortable on the elevation changes this track provided...commenting earlier in the day, of how much he enjoyed the layout. After ten minutes of racing, he was three and a-half seconds behind Deegan — while Chance Hymas (third) was roughly five-seconds, behind the French rider. Vialle was persistent, and wasn’t going to let Haiden slip away that easily. His aggression was maintained throughout the moto, closing to within a second or two of Deegan with only five minutes remaining on the clock! But Deegan managed to drift away when it mattered most, forcing the Frenchman into the runner-up residency when nearing the checkered flag. However, a rebuttal of sorts was demonstrated...where he stole the lead in the closing moments! Deegan had gone down, losing the front-end which enabled Vialle to claim the first place position! However, Haiden’s reclaim for the lead was evident as the tandem charged toward the white flag, crowding Vialle off of the racetrack just before the finish line jump! Vialle had returned to second at this point, but one more, valiant attempt was made on Tom’s behalf...with a last lap, cut to the inside just beyond the rollers being put forth. Vialle would unfortunately slide out at that point, still retaining second...but give the lead to Deegan as the race ended seconds thereafter. Running fifth to begin the second moto, Vialle put forth a valiant effort to try and overtake Jalek Swoll and Levi Kitchen. Both athletes were racing with a fierce mentality, and with continuous mistakes on Kitchen’s behalf, both Swoll and Tom were recipients of a gained position, rather quickly in the moto. But the Floridian (i.e. Jalek) wasn’t going to allow Tom to move up from that current standing, without a fight. Therefore the number sixteen had to constantly put forth a pace and period of pressure — which led to a brilliant, move through the left-handed corner just after the first down hill on the track, with around ten minutes transpired from the race clock. Now occupying third, it was then up to the French athlete to try and track down Haiden Deegan. However, an unforeseen mistake would then deter him a bit around the halfway point...allowing Jo Shimoda and Jalek Swoll to work their away around once more! But Vialle refused to give up, and amongst the shuffling, the number sixteen continued to reiterate his thought process, on the idea of staying within the championship fight. He eventually made he pass on Jalek Swoll, and occupied fourth, with Jo Shimoda ahead as they neared the checkered flag. In the end, it was Hymas who took the first place position, Haiden Deegan (second), and Jo Shimoda, third...for this particular moto. And with Vialle fourth, his overall scores throughout the day would have him residing third, in the overall standings!