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/1361254
for a different pit strategy. While he forfeited a position, when Oliveira and Walton pitted the next lap, it gave the Monster Energy/ Lava Propane/Skechers-backed CRF450RX rider better positioning over the next 20 minutes, passing Walton before he pitted then get- ting Oliveira just as he left the pits. "I was ready for a battle [with Oliveira]," Martinez said. The Red Bull/Motorex/Thor 450 XC-F rider didn't disappoint and rode furiously to try to get the lead back. That, however, may have been his undoing. As he closed the gap to Mar- tinez in the technical downhill canyon used only for the feature race, he hit some rocks wrong cresting a hill on the exit and took a tumble. Fortunately, he wasn't hurt and though his bike ended up cart- wheeling to the bottom of the hill, it was still rideable, so Oliveira got to his feet before the bike stopped, ran down and got back in the race. "I was bummed to go down but happy I'm okay," he said. "I was feeling good up until that point. Martinez ended up getting around me that lap I pitted so I was just charging after him and kind of—I guess you could say riding over my head a little bit because I did go down—but I tried to get up as fast as I could and rebound." Though not badly damaged, the bike was no longer 100 percent, plus Oliveira's rhythm was affected, letting Martinez get away and giving Walton the op- portunity to pass as well. Walton ended up a solid second—his second podium and best result of the season. He said, "We're working our way up and starting to make some ground and put ourselves in the right position. It was definitely a dusty race and once we got into the lappers it was hard to try not to take those guys out and try not to lose too much [ground to Oliveira and Martinez at the same time]. There was definitely some mistakes go- ing on with myself out there, just going so fast the corners come up so quick! This is the fastest track we've ridden all year long." Martinez completed eight laps in an hour, 32 minutes and nine seconds, Walton the runner-up in 1:33:42. Oliveira had to hustle to hold off two-time series champ Trevor Stewart, 1:34:18-1:34:22. LaFountaine made it three Pro II wins in a row aboard his Pro Circuit/Maxima/Fly Rac- ing CRF250RX. Fifth overall, he finished 29 seconds ahead of class runner-up Angus Riordan, the FMF/Maxxis/RPM Racing KTM rider claiming his second podium and best result to date. Seventh overall and third Pro II went to 3 Bros./Kilmartin Racing KTM's Shane Logan followed by Purvines Racing Yamaha's Mason Ottersberg, the fourth Pro II rider. 3 Bros. GasGas-mounted Gia- como Redondi and AEO Power- sports Husqvarna-mounted Pro II rider Kai Aiello rounded out the top 10 overall. With 1650-plus entries report- ed for the weekend, the Hilltop- pers race continued the strong turnouts the series has enjoyed so far this season. Round five in two weeks will visit the always popular but brutally rough venue at Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Mark Kariya OVERALL 1. Cole Martinez (Hon) 2. Austin Walton (Hus) 3. Dante Oliveira (KTM) 4. Trevor Stewart (Kaw) 5. Tallon LaFountaine (Hon) Pro 2 6. Angus Riordan (KTM) Pro 2 7. Shane Logan (KTM) Pro 2 8. Mason Ottersberg (Yam) Pro 2 9. Giacomo Redondi (GG) 10. Kai Aiello (Hus) Pro 2 IN THE WIND P56 Undefeated since joining the series full- time last year, Brandy Richards extended her current season win streak to four in a row at the Hilltoppers race.