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/1182254
IN THE WIND P44 Barnes Wins The Race OMA T he first weekend of November brings around a tradition that has lived in the history books of Illinois cross country motorcycle racing for a very long time. The race, in Morrison, Illinois, has gone through a few name chang- es and primary sponsors, but the event stays true to its roots. Once dubbed America's toughest race, the race is now simply known as The Race. This year the 44th installment of this racing institution faced challenges from the weather, with four inches of snow blanketing the area on Thursday before the Sunday race. Bad weather also inhibited harvesting many of the area fields that provide conduits between the woods areas. How- ever, the OMA Nationals crew were able to assemble a course that, at 30 miles in length instead of the typical 50-mile marathon lap, was still plenty challeng- ing. Due to the course length, the traditional two-lap event was stretched to three for the pro rid- ers. Local racer-turned-pro Cody Barnes (Beta/Moose Racing/ Kenda) came back to the race af- ter recovering from knee surgery to capture the win with a time of four hours, nine minutes, and 12 seconds. Following Barnes, just one minute and 43 seconds later were Adam Bonneur (Suzuki/Fly Racing/Maxxis) to collect second place. Privateer Shane Klimek and his Suzuki rounded out the podium, while Cole Zuidema and Colt Converse closed out the top five. Tanner Whipple finished in sixth place, gaining enough points to confirm his OMA sea- son championship before leaving to compete in the ISDE. A shotgun blast signaled the start of the race, and the pro row was off across a wide-open field, rounding the giant terra tire corner markers headed back to the motocross section and off on their adventure. Barnes grabbed the holeshot, and the race was on. "I kind of rode with everyone the first two laps," said Barnes. "I knew there were a lot of sticks and logs underneath the leaves, so I tried to ride a little smart and cautious that first lap. I had a lot of fun switching it up the first lap. We were all riding together, and we all changed positions. It was really fun to be back here rac- ing this event and be racing with everyone I grew up racing with and watching the race. It was a great time." However, Barnes said the fun ride became serious on lap num- ber three. "The third lap, I knew I had a little bit of a gap going out of the gas stop," Barnes said. "I just tried to ride smart and not get stuck. I did get stuck twice, but I was able to just hop off the bike and push a little, and I was able to get right out. Overall it was a good day. The track was good. The OMA did a great job with the track, as always. It wasn't near as muddy as what I thought it would be. It was slick in some spots, but honestly, the fields and even the woods, everything was pretty well tacky." Cody Barnes took the overall win at The Race in Morrison, Illinois. PHOTOS: JOHN GASSO