Hibbert Scores Top Finish of the Season at Budds Creek
Goodridge, Minn. - Patience paid off for Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert on Saturday at the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship’s Monster Energy Motocross National in Mechanicsville, Md. Heavy rain moved into Budds Creek MX Park at the beginning of the second 250 moto and quickly turned the already soaked track into one of the most physically and mentally demanding tracks of the season. By riding smart and conservative, Hibbert scored a 12th place finish in the second moto. This marked his top ride of the season and second best moto finish of his career.
Hibbert had a poor jump out of the gate in the second moto, starting the 30-minute, 40-rider race in 30th place. He then fell and lost even more positions. He quickly got back on the bike, stayed calm and focused on riding patient. By the halfway mark he had already pushed his way into 16th. The more the track deteriorated, the better Hibbert rode. He was on the rear wheel of 11th place’s Broc Tickle, when officials called the race at 25 minutes. Hibbert’s fastest lap of the race came on the final lap. He said he was disappointed the race was called early and felt he was on his way to a top-10 finish.
Next weekend, Hibbert will be at Round 11 of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Southwick, Mass. where he hopes to score his career first top-10 finish.
Monster Energy National Results
Moto 1: 27th
Moto 2: 12th
Overall: 16th
Tucker Hibbert - #69
“This was one of the craziest races of my career. I had so much fun in the mud! It was both physically and mentally demanding which really fits my riding style. I’ve never been a super intense rider like most of the guys in the 250 class. I’m patient and I think it played to my advantage today.
I had no idea what place I was in because my mechanic, Rory, couldn’t even write on the pit board because it was raining so hard. I starting watching the riders in front of me and focused on riding just a little bit faster than they were and it worked. I found some good lines that no one in front of me was using and every lap I was passing guys. I was really disappointed when they called the race early but respect their [the track officials] decision. It was like a river out there! Hats off to the entire track crew because it could have been a lot worse. I know how much work it is to prep a track and they did they best they could.
I’m pumped for Southwick next weekend. It’s always a really tough race but I’m up for the challenge. Hopefully I can finally get that top-10 finish I’ve been working towards all summer.”
Resources: tucker-hibbert.com • monsterenergy.com • mxsports.com
