Image: Octopi Media.

Seth Hammaker drawing positives from his first Pro Motocross gate drops since the opening round at Fox Raceway despite finishing 17th overall at Unadilla.

After missing over two months of action due to illness, Hammaker returned to continue his rookie season in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship for round nine of the season.

The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider showed plenty of speed in the opening moto, riding inside the top 10 and eventually home ninth in the opening moto.

However, a mistake in moto two while battling for a top-five position after a solid start in moto two plagued his overall result. Hammaker hit the ground near the halfway point, dropping outside of the top 20, eventually taking 21st in the moto.

“I am definitely bummed to have thrown away a great overall score today,” Hammaker explained. “But to be mixing it up after being away from the high intensity of race pace is a huge positive I’ll be taking to the next race.

“It was my first gate drop in over two months so while I wanted a great result, I knew I had to manage the race the best I could. Overall it was a good day, just hoping to keep it on two wheels next race.”

Inconsistency in results struck the entire Pro Circuit Kawasaki team on the weekend as their roller coaster of up and downs in 2021 continued. Austin Forkner brought home 39-6 scores for 13th overall, while Jo Shimoda scored 7-36 for 16th.

Hammaker now has four rounds now to get some seat time in Pro Motocross before the series draws to a close, beginning with Budds Creek this Saturday 21 Aug, for round nine.