Alex Martin's Day At RedBud Motocross | MX 2016

Alex Martin went 3-3 for 2nd overall at round 6.

Alex Martin came into RedBud this week with the mindset that he had to start making up points the rest of the season after his DNF in moto one at Highpoint, and his 19th place finish last week in moto one at Muddy Creek. Alex started his day off with a 10th place qualifying position in the first timed practice. Alex turned a 2:00.365 on lap 6 after it took him a few laps to warm up on the wet RedBud track.Photo by Rob Koy
Between the first and second timed practice the Star Yamaha riders sat down and signed autographs for the RedBud fans.Photo by Rob Koy
In the second timed practice, the sky started to clear up and bring the temperature up a few degrees which helped take out some of the moisture in the track. Alex was able to turn a 1:58.038 on his sixth lap of the timed session. He trimmed a little over two seconds off his first session lap time on the faster track. Alex qualified 2nd overall behind Adam Cianciarulo who has been the top qualifier for the last two weeks in the 250 class. This gave Alex the 2nd gate pick going into moto one at RedBud.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex Martin lays out his tracks for the first moto start on his sight lap. The start straight was ripped very deep. Taking some of the top layers of dirt off your line into the first turn would be very beneficial to Alex.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex got off to a top 10 start in moto one and was in 7th place after the first lap. Alex choose an inside gate; he and a few other top riders got pinched off in the first turn. Here, Alex takes the 2nd inside ruts to have the speed to clear the tabletop right out of the turn. If you went to the inside rut you would sometimes not have enough speed to clear the tabletop even with a hard set bounce. The outside was fast but if someone was right behind you they would be able to pinch you off at the exit.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex was able to move up to 5th place by lap 7 in moto one by getting around his teammate Aaron Plessinger. By lap 12 Alex made a pass on his brother Jeremy Martin and Austin Forkner. Here, Alex takes the middle to outside line on that tabletop out of the corner to be able to clear it.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex would hold on to the third place finish in moto one and secure the last spot on the podium. Here, Alex takes the inside line around the tree turn before the finish jump. There were three lines in this section and Alex is in the inside. There was a middle line that would put you in the middle rut or the way outside line would carry speed to the outside and the riders were able to hold it open before the finish line jump. As the day went on choosing the right line was critical.Photo by Rob Koy
Here, Alex is in that middle rut before the finish line jump. You can see the three different lines that formed during the race in moto one. Alex said that between the motos he did make some minor suspension changes and that he knew what direction he need to go for the second moto. Alex also said that he went down one tooth on the rear sprocket to be ready for the rougher track in moto two.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex got a much better start in the second moto and was credited with 3rd place after the first lap.Alex was able to get into 2nd place after Joey Savatgy crashed on lap two then Alex got by Shane McElrath the next lap, and was leading the race from lap 5 to lap 13. Here, Alex crosses the line after the first lap.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex getting the pit board in moto two.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex Martin dropping back into the valley after the mechanic tents while leading the 2nd moto.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex Martin takes the inside line on the entry of this turn then he swept to the outside on the exit. This was the preferred line because the outside was too long.Photo by Rob Koy
With 4 laps to go Alex Martin was roosted by a lap rider before LaRocco’s Leap and his asterisk breathe system fell into his mouth. The turn before the finish line jump Alex holds off the charge of Copper Webb. Zach Osborne is only a few seconds behind in third place.Photo by Rob Koy
Alex said he had to get the breathe system out of his mouth. Here, he had to not scrub the finish line jump and reach in to clear his mouth. Cooper was able to scrub, stay lower and make the pass. On the last lap, Zach Osborne got by Alex and took the 2nd place spot. Alex said he was unaware that Zach was that close and was able to make the pass. Alex Martin went 3-3 for 2nd overall at RedBud. Alex said he is looking forward to the sand track at Southwick next weekend.Photo by Rob Koy