TOM VIALLE

KTM’s Tom Vialle knew that he would have to strike, and strike quickly, if he wanted to remain within the fight for this championship. He would do so in Washington, after a notable practice effort, where his eyes then focused on turn number one for the first moto of competition. Storming into the lead after closely contending for the first-place position alongside Haiden Deegan, Tom Vialle appeared to flourish on the hard-packed circuit. There was little that could stand in the way of the KTM rider, where he floated atop the highest crest(s) of jumps with the engine pinned, floating from bump to bump with efficiency while stretching the margin over Haiden Deegan who was behind him. He would look to the mechanic’s area for certain cues, from his team members — and proceeded to accelerate even harder, when nearing the twenty-five minute mark of the contest. As the checkered flag neared, there was nothing that could stand in the way of the former MXGP standout...he would conduct a perfect moto in nearly every facet of the game-plan — resulting in a pristine race win, before embarking on the second race of the afternoon. His start for the second moto was incredible as well, and Vialle immediately began to break away from the pack, after being rivaled by Yamaha’s Haiden Deegan. Though after a few laps of competition, there appeared to be shift in momentum amongst the two combatants. Vialle was incredible as the soil began to harden, but Deegan appeared to rise to an even higher level as the ten-minute mark approached. The KTM rider would take a subtle glance (or two) to lanes that were behind him...only to see a blue blur of sorts, aiming for his immediate radius! It was the athlete aboard the number thirty-eighth machine and he couldn’t be denied. This scenario led to a climactic point, just after the finish line on the sixth lap. Vialle appeared to drift to an outside line with a bit of lull in speed...and this was all that Haiden Deegan, to excel across the inside groove(s)! Vialle attempted to quickly relate in the corner thereafter, but Deegan would shut the door as he drifted to consecutive inside lanes. In the last that followed, it appeared as if Vialle was just off of the pace, in regard to the flow that the Yamaha rider was establishing. But the French athlete wouldn’t quit, and accelerated with the crowd roaring as the checkered flag neared. In the end, the number sixteen machine was solidified within the second-place position — and also earned a runner-up overall accolade, as all was finalized in the state of Washington!