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/1379564
a lot of time. So, it was a rough today, but I was still close and I was happy with the last test for the day." As usual, Ben Nelko was super-fast in the cross test, but this weekend the Seven Sixty Racing Husqvarna rider found his groove in the enduro test, which propelled him to fifth overall and second in the Pro2 division. "I finally figured out the enduro test," said Nelko. "I've been working with Stew Baylor at the Shoals MX a lot, focusing on the woods more than riding moto like I've been in the past. It was good. I know that I'm always going to be solid on the cross test, so we just worked the woods mainly and it worked out. It was a good weekend." Rounding out the Pro2 po- dium with sixth overall was Max Sports/FXR/Husqvarna's Evan Smith, who was racing his first sprint enduro in two years. Second in points in the Pro2 division, Trail Jesters Racing KTM's Jesse Ansley was disap- pointed in fourth in class and seventh overall. "Definitely not the greatest, that's for sure, but we live to see another day," said Ansley. "I've just got to get better at slick conditions. I'm still sitting second in points right now and it's getting pretty close to the last round, but we'll go back and regroup and just try to figure it out." Brendon Poling (Kawasaki) made his first appearance of the year and came away with fifth in the Pro2 class and eighth over- all. Meanwhile, Coastal Racing GasGas' Cole Whitmer was top Amateur in ninth overall and first in the 250 A class despite hitting a tree in the final test of the week- end and injuring his knee. West Virginia rider Tyler Braniff (Yamaha) rounded out the top 10 overall and first in Open A. Brandy Richards (KTM) traveled from Arizona to win the Pro Wom- en's class. It was her first race on the East Coast in over a year. "I was a little nervous coming in because I saw there was rain," said Richards. "Back West we don't have rain, so it's all dry and dusty. I was a little nervous but excited to get the time in in the mud. I just kind of progressed throughout the weekend. Day two, I felt phenomenal all day, really, especially in the woods. I was just picking up some good speed, getting a lot more com- fortable in that slick stuff." Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's Tayla Jones was second, which was good enough to clinch the Pro Women's championship. Rachael Archer wrapped her AmPro Yamaha around a tree in the first test and rode the remain- der of the event with a bent bike to finish third, with Allie Spurgeon (Husqvarna) and Britney Gallegos rounding out the top five. Shan Moore OVERALL 1. Layne Michael (Yam) 2. Thad Duvall (Hus) 3. Johnny Girroir (GG) 4. Liam Draper (KTM) 5. Ben Nelko (Hus) 6. Evan Smith (Hus) 7. Jesse Ansley (KTM) 8. Brendon Poling (Kaw) 9. Cole Whitmer (GG) 10. Tyler Braniff (Yam) IN THE WIND P32 Tayla Jones put a bow on the Women's Championship with a second-place finish.