Smage Wins Nebraska MotoTrials Opener
P
at Smage made a clean
sweep of the opening two
rounds of the 2019 AMA/NATC
U.S. National MotoTrials Series in
Nehawka, Nebraska, May 25-26,
taking an impressive double vic-
tory in slippery conditions.
With the double win, the
FactoryONE/Sherco rider laid
a solid foundation for his pursuit
of an unprecedented 11th U.S.
National MotoTrials Champion-
ship. He is currently tied with
Geoff Aaron at 10 titles each, and
one more championship will put
the Wisconsin native in uncharted
territory.
In addition to the usual con-
tenders, Smage turned back
challenges on Saturday from Jan
Peters of Germany (TRS) and
seven-time Venezuelan champion
David Avendano (Vertigo) en route
to his win. On Sunday, he had to
contend with rambunctious rookie
Alex Myers who grabbed the
runner-up spot on his Factory-
ONE/Scorpa in only his second
ride as a Pro.
Saturday
Rain showers earlier in the
week made the Nehawka rock
quarry slippery, and the sec-
tions wound up being deceiving.
Regardless, Smage made few
mistakes on his way to the win,
finishing the 12-section, three-lap
event with a total of eight points.
Peters and Avendano battled
for the final two steps of the
podium for most of the day;
however, two fives in section six
IN
THE
WIND
P40
Pat Smage dominated
the 2019 AMA/NATC
US National MotoTrials
Series opener in
Nehawka, Nebraska.
PHOTO: SHAN MOORE
