Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

K.tth Wineland finished fourth _ both days for fourth overall. third overall, but it has been five years since the Nebraskan was a regular on the national circuit. Since dropping out of the trials scene at the end of the 2000 season, Kempkes has spent the last few years performing stunt shows for Team Extreme. However, he has been keeping his competition skills honed by practicing and riding at local events, and when the opportunity presented itself to compete in the only pro trials event in the country, he couldn't resist. And while Kempkes looked a little rusty in the opening sections, he gained confidence as the event wore on and, at the finish, topped Chaves by seven marks for the win. "I just took my time," Kempkes said. "I was stopping and resting and saving my energy for the exhibition sections," Kempkes said. "You can definitely tell a difference in my style of riding - which is old school - and the kids'. I ride the big stuff all the time, so I was right at home in this stuff, but I was starting to get worn out. We rode all day, and I am not really used to that anymore." Kempkes wasn't the only rider who was a little rusty at the Pensacola Dam event, as Chaves was also riding one of his first major trials events of the year. The Spaniard, who is now living in Kentucky, skipped the U.S. National Trials Series this year in order to ride the GNCC series for the U.S. Sherco importer. Needless to say, it took a few sections for him to get his trials legs under him, as well. Before the event, youngsters Keith Wineland of Colorado and Cody Webb were the odds-on favorites to battle for the top prize. After all, both had just returned from a victorious trip to the Trial des Nations, where they, along with teammates Geoff Aaron and Chris Florin, claimed the International Trophy for the United States in the annual team competition. However, it was the two veterans, Kempkes and Chaves, who proved to be the steadiest of the lot after two days and 59 sections' worth of riding. The Gas Gas USA Pro Invitational Trials is a unique event in which each competitor rides three laps of nine sections each day, over a 5-mile course. Then, on Saturday night, the spectators are treated to three exhibition sections, ridden by the Pro class only. These sections are much more difficult than those found on the morning course and are situated in an area where the fans can watch the top riders up close. It is in these exhibition sections that the real competition begins for the Pros. Kempkes was perfect going into Saturday's exhibition, haVing completed the morning course without dropping a point. Webb hadn't taken a dab either, but he took a fIVe-point penalty for breaking the ribbon in the ninth section. Chaves dropped three single dabs over the morning lap and sat in second, while Wineland was fourth with 10 marks lost. In the exhibition, Webb continued to churn out clean rides and aced all three sections. Chaves failed to climb one of the giant rock slabs in the opening section and fell backward for a five. Kempkes took his first points of the day in section two, which featured a splatter onto a vertical wall. Chaves and Wineland took points there as well. The final section of the day was mainly set up for the spectators. It was the most spectacular of the three, but it was easy for the riders and no points were taken there. At the end of Saturday's event, Kempkes led with two points. Webb was second with five, while Chaves (10), Wineland (12) and Darrow (42) rounded out the top five. Sunday was cold and Windy, and the organizers tightened up a few sections to further challenge the Pros. Kempkes was steady again, though, and ended up dropping only one point for the day on a loosedirt climb. Webb once again had the misfortune of collecting a five for breaking a ribbon. Had it not been for breaking ribbons, Webb might have won the event. He added two more points in a dirt off-camber section and ended the day with seven, while Wineland finished with nine. Chaves, on the other hand, was perfect on the day and turned in a clean card. After taking a few shaky points on Saturday, Chaves took his time on Sunday and studied his lines well. The strategy paid off and he won Saturday's event and moved past Webb for second overall. Kempkes finished the event with three points total and collected $1000 for the overall win, while Chaves finished with 10 points and took home $600 for his efforts. Webb's total of 12 points was good enough for third overall, ahead of Wineland with 23 and Darrow with 80. eN PENSACOLA DAM LANGUY, OKLAHOMA RESULTS: OCTOBER 22·23, 2005 Saturday PRO: I. J"" Kempk., (2); 2. Cody Webb (S); 3. DavKl Chaves (10); 4. Ke;th Woneland (12); S..... Darrow (42). MASTER: I. J""" Ca

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