Joey Savatgy showed true grit and determination at Round 2 of the Pro Motocross Championship, battling through injury and brutal conditions to maintain his position inside the top 10 in the standings.
Just one week after breaking his finger in a collision with a track marker, Savatgy could have rightfully sat the round out. But quitting isn’t in his DNA. Committed to his team and partners, Joey lined up on race day despite searing 100°F (40°C) heat and the ongoing pain of a fractured finger.
“It wasn’t easy out there—the heat, the throbbing, the swelling. I had to manage everything lap by lap,” said Savatgy.
Despite the setback, qualifying proved encouraging. Savatgy showed the strength of both rider and machine, slotting in 8th in Q1 and 9th overall in combined times—putting him ahead of several factory-backed, championship-winning riders.
“We’ve been working closely with our technical partners, and the progress is showing. The bike feels better each week. Qualifying in the top 10 proves we can run with the best, but I knew the real challenge would come during the motos, between the heat and the injury,” he added.
Moto 1
Savatgy ran inside the top 9 for most of the race, ultimately crossing the line in 10th after easing off in the final laps to avoid unnecessary risks.
“The pain started creeping in toward the end, and I didn’t want to push beyond my limit and risk a bigger mistake. It’s not where I want to be—I want to be in the top 6 or 7—but I had to be smart today,” he explained.
Moto 2
The second moto unfolded similarly, with Savatgy again fighting inside the top 10 before finishing 11th after working his way past a few riders while managing increasing discomfort.
“I was really struggling at the end of Moto 2. I held on as long as I could. It’s tough not being able to train properly between rounds, but we’ll keep building as I get stronger.”
Joey now sits 9th overall in the Pro Motocross Championship and has moved into 8th place in the combined Supercross/Motocross standings—an impressive feat given the adversity he’s faced early in the outdoor season.
The series continues this weekend with Round 3.
Photos by Michael Antonovich
