HANGTOWN | MAY 21, 2016
In the first moto of the 2016 motocross championship, Blake found major success. He was ninth on the first lap before tapping into the power of his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, charging his way up to fourth late in the race. He then went on another charge after Eli Tomac, who had passed him earlier in the race. Blake would eventually make the pass on Tomac with two laps to go and put himself on the podium for moto one.
Blake was prepared and ready to do battle in moto two. He was looking to secure an overall podium finish for the day. Blake started around the top ten and began picking off riders and charging toward the front of the pack. He was able to work his way through the field and up to sixth. He closed in on Trey Canard, who was fifth, and was attempting to find a way around him. Blake would end up going down hard before he could make the pass and broke his collarbone. Surprisingly, he would get back on his bike and finish the race in 19th place. Not bad for riding four laps with a snapped bone!
"Moto one went about as good as it could get, charging up from the back and working my wall all the way back to a podium spot. I really felt good and thought everything was working. I went out in the second moto and got a decent start and was working my way through the pack. I think I needed one more spot to get a podium for the overall. And then i caught a rock and did a little high side. It was slow-mo, but I ended up going down pretty hard and breaking my collarbone."
"We'll see where we're at and be back to fight for sure. I know where I am right now. Hangtown is one of the gnarliest tracks there is and if you can go good there you can do it anywhere. So I'll regroup and hopefully be back soon." - BLAKE BAGGETT
The Yoshimura Suzuki squad heads to Southern California and Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, CA on May 28th. The races will be televised on MavTV and NBCSN. You can meet and get an autograph from Blake this Friday, May 27 from 6-7 PM at Malcolm Smith Motorsports, 7599 Indiana Avenue, Riverside, CA.
