Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1131259
IN THE WIND P36 Smage Continues Streak at Colorado U.S. MotoTrials E xtreme conditions often make for extreme outcomes, and rounds five and six of the AMA/ NATC U.S. National MotoTrials Series in Howard, Colorado, June 15-16, definitely featured the most difficult, and according to the Pro riders, the most intimidat- ing sections in recent memory. Saturday's outcome was certainly a head-turner, as well. Held at Turkey Rock Trials Area, which is a power-robbing 7000 feet in altitude on the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Range near Howard, the Colo- rado round featured sections that were set among the steep granite outcroppings and massive vertical ledges. A few sections were so intimidating that even the top Pros declined to ride them. At the end of two days of intense competition, Pat Smage (FactoryONE/Sherco) retained his unbeaten status in the AMA/ NATC U.S. National MotoTrials Series with another double vic- tory, although his win on Saturday was up in the air until the final section. To this point in the series, no one had challenged Smage for a win, but it's just a matter of time before one of the young guns beats the 10-time champion, and on Saturday GasGas North Amer- ica's Daniel Blanc-Gonnet held a surprising four-point lead over Smage after the first two laps. "When I first saw the sections, I wasn't excited for the weekend, and there were a few that I didn't want to ride," said Smage. "There were a couple of sections that I just couldn't figure out on the first two laps, and that's where Daniel was getting me." Smage knew he had to turn things around on the third and final lap, and the Wisconsin rider managed to clean up a few of the mistakes he made on the first two laps and pull to within striking dis- tance of Blanc-Gonnet. The final section of the day was one of the sections the riders had elected to skip on the first two laps. How- ever, with the trial coming down to the wire, Smage and Blanc- Gonnet each gave it a try. Blanc- Gonnet faltered on the biggest part of the section, while Smage managed to just get through with a three. In the end, Smage took the win by four points over Blanc- Gonnet, 45 points to 49. "Early on, my attitude wasn't right," said Smage. "There were a few sections that were on the edge for sure, and some really difficult ones. Even though there were times I was questioning what we were doing out there, I'm happy with the overall result." Blanc-Gonnet missed out on his first overall win but was happy about pushing Smage to his limits. Pat Smage won both rounds of the U.S. National MotoTrials Championship in Arkansas. PHOTOS: SHAN MOORE