Prince George’s own Jess Pettis started off the day with the exact type of performance he was hoping for.
Following the opening round of the MX 250 at the Rockstar Energy Triple Crown motocross, which was held at the Blackwater Motocross Park, Pettis topped the leaderboard after finishing first.
Unfortunately, a tumble in the second round would see the Red Bull-sponsored rider finish fifth, yet still good enough to find himself finishing third for the day in the 250cc class.
“All in all, it was a great day for me,” Pettis told MyPGNow.
Prince George’s @jpettis39 finished first in Moto 1 of the MX 250. He’d follow it up with a fifth place finish in Moto 2.
He’d end up finishing third for the day after two rounds.#CityofPG #Motocross #TripleCrownMX @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/9Da5nLsNdP
— Ethan Ready (@EthanReady) June 8, 2019
Pettis said he’s felt sore and banged up after breaking his arm four weeks ago, but added it was good to get back out on the track.
“Good to get that monkey off my back, as well as knowing that I belong up there,” he said.
In the second round, Pettis stormed out of the gates and held the lead for the opening lap before being passed by the eventual winner, Dylan Wright.
“I ended up having a tip over in a corner — fell over, got stuck in some banners,” said Pettis. “But I was able to salvage a fifth and third overall. That’s huge for me. Riding at about 60-70 per cent and to end up on the podium after the second round, it’s great and I’m just excited to build more and more.”
Michigan’s Marshal Weltin took the top spot on the podium following two rounds. Ottawa’s Wright took second place, followed up by Pettis.
The experience to perform just south of his hometown was certainly an experience worth remembering for Pettis.
“It’s amazing. It’s so exciting for me. To be at a big national like this in front of my hometown fans, friends and family, everyone — it’s amazing,” said Pettis.