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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1042406
Third on the weekend went to Layne Michael (KR4/Husqvarna). "I had some good rides and I was able to turn it into a podium finish for the weekend, so I'm happy with how I rode," said Mi- chael. "I was battling with Grant for most of the weekend, but he ended up having an issue so I had a pretty good buffer over him near the end of the day." Michael finished off the season strong with three-straight podium finishes, and was fourth overall in the final standings. "The season started off kind of slow, I just wasn't riding good, but I adjusted a few things for the second half of the series and things started to work for me," said Michael. Jordan Ashburn just missed the podium with a fourth overall finish. The Beta USA-backed Tennessee rider started the event with a strong second in the open- ing test of the weekend and then settled into fourth for the remain- der of the event. Fifth overall and first in the Pro2 division went to KR4 Husqvarna's Liam Draper. Amaz- ingly, the New Zealander domi- nated the Pro2 class by winning all 12 tests over the course of the two-day event. SRT Husqvarna's Evan Smith finished in sixth, 29-seconds ahead of Billy Schlag. Schlag also took second in the Pro2 division on his TrailPros/Ride on Moto KTM. The remainder of the overall top 10 was occupied by Pro2 riders, with Brax- ton McGee (Husqvarna), Jesse Ansley (KTM) and J.R. Cook (KTM), claiming eighth through 10th. In the final series stand- ings, Strang finished the season with 363 points, compared to 358 for Stew- ard Baylor. Grant Baylor was third overall with 317, while Layne Michael (304) and Ryan Sipes (290) rounded out the top five. Sipes missed the Hidden Valley event to compete in the Red Bull Straight Rhythm in California, while Grant Baylor finished 24th overall when he trashed a rear hub. In the Women's Pro division, Tayla Jones (KR4 Husqvarna) claimed her seventh win of the season, beating out rider Mackenzie Tricker (Bonanza Plumbing/Trail Jesters KTM) and Becca Sheets (FLY/Maxxis/Seat Concepts KTM) in the process. In all, Jones won 11 of the 12 tests, with the other test win go- ing to Tricker. Jones finished off the season with 360 points for first in the Women's Pro Championship, while Tricker was second overall with 315. Third went to Brooke Cosner with 237 points, with Becca Sheets (211) and Shelby Rolen (68) rounding out the top five. Yamaha rider Tristian Stumbo looked strong en route to the win the Open A class. Meanwhile, KTM riders Cody Pingley and Luke Ross were second and third. Devan Byer was first in the Lites A division, followed by fellow Husqvarna rider Michael Pillar in second. Yamaha-mounted Harry Symanski was third. CN OVERALL 1. Steward Baylor (KTM) 2. Josh Strang (Hus) 3. Layne Michael (Hus) 4. Jordan Ashburn (Bet) 5. Liam Draper (Hus) 6. Evan Smith (Hus) 7. Billy Schlag (KTM) 8. Braxton McGee (Hus) 9. Jesse Ansley (KTM) 10. JR Cook (KTM) IN THE WIND P42 Tyla Jones won the Women's class and the 2018 championship.