KYLE WEBSTER

Australia’s Kyle Webster had generated a significant amount of “hype” before entering into the Pro Motocross Championship this year. He showed flashes of brilliance at Southwick, and seemed to be even more confident as he rolled onto the raceway for practice in Southern Michigan. Once garnering a notable time, which equated to a gate choice of seventh, he advanced from the starting grate(s) and dove into the first corner with as much momentum as possible. Though his opening lap position (of twenty-second) was a bit less than desired, there was no shortage of effort being presented by the rider aboard the Honda machine. Making critical passes among the smallest windows of racetrack, Webster would thread the circuit together with precision, while carving through the tremendous ruts of this Red Bud course with expertise. Making advances in bundles, he had entered into eleventh by lap eight, where he had overtaken opponents such as Kyle Chisholm, Derek Drake, Broc Tickle, and Grant Harlan. It was then time to try and match the pace of Shane McElrath...which he would do, before surpassing the Suzuki rider on the tenth lap. With only six circuits remaining, it was time for Webster to engage in incredible velocities as the track continued to break-down...and even as the chassis would swap from side to side on occasion, and original pathways would now have to be diverted from, the athlete aboard the number 762 machine flourished — earning tenth, in the final stages of the moto, while building momentum for the second round. His start to begin the following race, couldn’t have been more ideal — where he and Jason Anderson would contend for the lead in the opening corners, and Webster showed resiliency after going bar-to-bar with the Kawasaki competitor! Though Anderson eventually worked his way by, the effort that was put forth by Kyle was phenomenal — and he still resided second, as he took the green flag. He would defend the position from Chase Sexton for nearly another, entire lap...but the KTM rider then overtook him. Residing fourth for five laps thereafter (after Aaron Plessinger had passed him, too) Webster’s stamina seemed more than capable of holding a commendable pace at the front of the pack. Yet as laps progressed, the sense of adrenaline and spiking of the heart rate would seem to cause a lapse in speed...but Kyle would still have to be acknowledged, with the tremendous effort he was showing. Despite descending a bit through the running order, Webster would contend for position(s) among opponents like Malcolm Stewart, Garrett Marchbanks, and Dylan Ferrandis. And when the checkered flag was thrown, his final finish of ninth, would equate to a hard fought score of eighth overall.