HAIDEN DEEGAN

Though not necessarily known as a sand rider, Yamaha’s Haiden Deegan was still aiming for the highest position on the leaderboard as action began on Saturday. Following a thorough practice effort, Deegan immediately sprinted to the front of the field in the earliest stages of moto-one. His hole-shot and gigantic whip across the opening single were unbelievable, and displayed authority...all the while continuing to break away from the field as the narrative unraveled. He appeared more polished than ever on this one-of-a-kind landscape, flowing with phenomenal velocities while riding on the edges of the race-track — carrying roll speed in a corners with a crouched position, while hopping marginal braking bumps with perfect synchronization. It was as if he’d ridden this track all of his life, and had appeared to expand the lead to nearly seven-seconds, at the halfway point. This sense of momentum was sustained through the rest of the moto — where the Californian combatted the charge of Tom Vialle, and continued to leap through the raceway with unrivaled intensity as the white flag neared...and through the final circuit, it was Deegan who declared a commending presence until crossing the finish line on the concluding lap...taking the moto win with swagger. He aspired to do much the same in the following round and following a red-flag restart, Deegan knew that he could contend for the lead yet again...and made, one of, if not the, move of the year when he scrubbed/slid-out atop the face of the opening single on the racecourse — flying tens of feet past the competition, to land atop a makeshift roller, all the while having the bike nearly horizontal! It was a sensational pass, and had the crowd roaring! He was in the first-place position upon landing and proceeded to sprint...before an unfortunate wash-out, in the right-handed bend proceeding the mechanic’s area, forced the rider from California into a fall! He was attempting to remount the bike as quickly as possible, but would slide to a standing of fifth on the fourth lap. It was then a process of overtaking riders as quickly as possible, and after pulling away from Ty Masterpool, he would surpass Joey Savatgy and Levi Kitchen — to take third at the halfway point! It was then a process to try and diminish the gap between he and Jo Shimoda...but the Honda rider was racing at a sensational pace. However, once focused on the number thirty, but competitors would lessen the gap to race leader, Tom Vialle — creating a tremendous battle of sorts, while grasping for the first-place position! With two laps to go, all were within bike lengths of one another, and Deegan would do his best to follow Shimoda around the French rider, while speeding through the Southwick circuit! Though it was the number third who ultimately surpassed and took the lead (over Vialle), Deegan’s refusal to quit, would play into a mistake on behalf of the KTM rider...where the Frenchman slid out on the final circuit! This, would propel Deegan into runner-up territory for the moto, crossing the line in second, and claiming the overall win, for a phenomenal rebounding performance!