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/1388078
IN THE WIND P44 on, which I was able to get up a few positions mid-race. I just made too many mistakes and hit the ground a few too many times today." The trio of Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing's Thad Duvall, Coastal Racing GasGas' Ricky Russell and Babbitt's Online/Monster Energy/Kawa- saki Team Green Kawasaki's Josh Strang each ran in the top five at one point during the race, but ended up rounding out sixth through eighth at the finish, with Duvall in sixth, Russell in seventh and Strang in eighth. Coastal Racing GasGas' John- ny Girroir had an eventful day, but came back from two early crash- es to win the XC2 250 Pro class with a ninth overall finish. "I had two big cartwheels on the first lap and I was almost in tears out there," said Girroir. "I just had to make myself slowdown and concentrate and I was finally able to find my groove." Seven-sixty Husqvarna's Ben Nelko was noticeably pleased with second in the XC2 250 Pro class and 10th overall. "I don't think of myself as a rock rider, so I am surprised and happy with second today, it was a good day," said Nelko. XC Gear/Enduro Engineering Husqvarna's Ryder Lafferty was 11th overall and third in the XC2 250 Pro class after missing the last three rounds due to an injury. Jonathan Johnson (Magna1 Motorsports/Husqvarna) got back to his winning ways in the FMF XC3 125cc Pro-Am class with an impressive win over Husqvarna's Jake Froman and Yamaha-mounted Noah Clark. The win was Johnson's sev- enth of the season and puts him 47 points clear of Chase Colville (fourth for the day) atop the class standings. AmPro Yamaha's Rachael Archer took the win in the XCW class after spending most of the race battling with Rockstar En- ergy Husqvarna's Tayla Jones. "I got the holeshot, but then I just made a little mistake in a rut and fell over and Tayla passed me there," said Archer. "I just hung with Tayla for two and a half laps and then I passed her in Howard's Hole and never looked back. I rode a really good last lap, never dabbed a foot and hit all my lines. Just stoked to take the win." Jones' runner-up finish was her best of the year. "It was gnarly out there, especially around the five-mile mark is this gnarly rock garden and I was like, just stay on the bike," said Jones. "I kept it pretty clean. I had a few crashes here and there, but overall it was a good race. Rachael ended up getting me, but I'm happy with how I rode and it was fun, so it was a good time." FXR/KTM's Shelby Turner was third, ahead of BABS Racing Yamaha/Fly/Maxxis/Pro Circuit's Becca Sheets. Archer took back the class point lead over Becca Sheets with the win. Shan Moore OVERALL 1. Ben Kelley (KTM) 2. Steward Baylor (Yam) 3. Jordan Ashburn (Hus) 4. Josh Toth (KTM) 5. Grant Baylor (GG) 6. Thad Duvall (Hus) 7. Ricky Russell (GG) 8. Josh Strang (Kaw) 9. Johnny Girroir (GG) XC2 250 10. Ben Nelko (Hus) XC2 250 Steward Baylor struggled with lappers, and goes into the long summer break trailing Kelley by nine points in the championship.