CHASE SEXTON

The path to victory was a familiarized route, in recent memory, for KTM’s Chase Sexton. The Illinois native was on-fire as of late and continued his accelerating ways through practice on Saturday. This led to a notable gate choice, and as gates collapsed, Sexton’s jump was a bit less than desired...but after fighting through the top-ten, Chase would occupy the fourth-place standing as five minutes of competition would transpire. He was on the move, and eventually made his way into second after putting opponents like Aaron Plessinger, Eli Tomac, and Jason Anderson definitively behind him. He appeared to be on an optimal track to battling with Hunter Lawrence for the lead, until a tip over after a large anthill jump would deter him from the rear wheel of the Honda rider. Though luckily he had an ample gap over Plessinger (who was third), and Sexton then proceeded to charge to the eventual checkered flag with the silver medal accolade. The overall victory was still within his grasp, if he could advance into an optimal position for the approaching race — as his speed on the motorcycle was difficult for any of his competitors to match. Sexton then quickly made his way into third to begin the following moto, and would hound the rear wheel of Aaron Plessinger for what seemed like an eternity. The KTM tandem then sought to overtake Hunter Lawrence, but all the while, Chase would make the pass near the finish line after twelve minutes of competition would transpire! However immediately thereafter, Sexton would wash-out — descending to fourth, before then overtaking Malcolm Stewart. He resumed action in third, and would eventually pass Aaron Plessinger in the same spot, as their first interaction! The brilliant cutting maneuver via the roller section that preceded the finish line was incredible, and would definitively establish Chase into the runner-up standing. Not long thereafter, did the pursuit of the lead begin...with a climactic point in the moto, then taking place. Sexton was closing-in on Lawrence, and put forth an astounding effort within the left-handed corner that proceeded the far-side down hill ski jump...passing the number ninety-six with relentless charging! Tucking into the corner that followed, the lead was then obtained. From that point onward, he wouldn’t look back and raced his way to the finish line...where the checkered flag awaited him, for the overall win — via two-one scores!