Zuidema Tops OMA Dead Tree XC
W
hen the OMA Nationals
Series rolled into rural
Newark, Missouri, May 18-19, for
round two, the DP Brakes Dead
Tree XC, there were significant
concerns about the weather. The
track layout included numerous
hills and creek crossings that
would become extremely chal-
lenging if heavy rain was added
into the mix. Heavy downpours
overnight on Friday turned the
typically difficult Bill Gusse-trail
into a quagmire.
After two hours of misery
and struggle through the ruts
and slop, Cole Zuidema (KTM/
Moose Racing/Kenda) thrashed
his way to victory. Tommy For-
tune Jr. (aka Buddy) clawed his
way through the ruts and slime to
capture a second place on the
family-backed Gieson Motors-
ports G2 Yamaha YZ125.
Bryan Johnson muscled his
G2/Moose Racing/FMF Kawa-
saki to third place after "feeling
like a pig on ice skates" for two
hours. Zach Sulzberger (Barbies
Lawn Care and Snow Removal
Yamaha), who lead much of the
race, found himself hopelessly
stuck in a massive rut on the final
lap and would have to settle for a
fourth-place finish.
Although it was not raining
when the green flag fell to start
the main event, the skies opened
up and dumped on the racers
shortly after they hit the woods.
Numerous downpours only made
conditions more difficult, and the
race became a test of survival
skills.
Zach Sulzberger rode his
trusty YZ250 through the pack
at a smooth, steady pace. Once
in the lead, Sulzberger rode
IN
THE
WIND
P28
Cole Zuidema took
the overall win at
the OMA Dead Tree
Cross Country in
Newark, Missouri.
PHOTOS: JOHN GASSO
