Whipple Wins OMA Big Bend XC
O
riginally planned as the
season opener this spring,
the OMA Nationals Big Bend
XC, presented by Hoosier Tires,
was held in rural Prophetstown,
Illinois, September 19. With a
grueling seven-mile loop of Bill
Gusse's Prophetstown woods
track, the racers struggled over
logs and sand hills, along with
tight, flowing trails where de-
fending OMA champion Tanner
Whipple ultimately emerged
victorious.
As the Pro-Am row headed for
their first turn, it was the G2 KTM
of David Stickel on point. Tommy
"Buddy" Fortune Jr. (Yamaha)
followed Stickel with Whipple
(Fly Racing/Kawasaki) in close
pursuit. A tight pack of racers
funneled into the single-track
woods with current series points
leader Colt Converse (Moose
Racing/Yamaha) bringing up the
rear after his bike was very slow
to start.
Two hours of racing and
struggles ended with Whipple
taking home the win. Fortune
held on for second place, while
Converse was able to move
himself through the pack to claim
IN
THE
WIND
P48
Tanner Whipple
won the OMA
Big Bend XC in
Illinois. PHOTOS:
JOHN GASSO
