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Colorado AMA/NATC US National MotoTrials Canceled S afety is the main concern of any trials event, so when offi- cials awoke to 16 inches of snow and countless destroyed tents and canopies on the morning of round five of the 2022 AMA/ NATC U.S. National MotoTrials Series at Stock Ranch in Canon City, Colorado, May 21, they were forced to have a serious discussion as to whether or not the event could still continue. In an official statement by Andy Saum, current CEO of the NATC, "We expected up to four inches and the event was set to handle that. Saturday's round was canceled early in the day as the sections were completely buried and the loop was impassable. For Sunday's round, event officials felt that if the weather would break by noon on Saturday, there would be time for the snow to melt and that the Sunday event could then continue as planned. However, the snow continued and was forecast for a few more hours. There would be no real chance to get the course in shape nor get observers out to the sections. At that point, the decision was made to cancel Sunday's event as well. We hope to do something to allow us to have more events in this year's schedule. At this time, nothing has been finalized and no additional decisions have been made." FactoryONE Sherco's Pat Smage, the current series leader in the Pro class, had a bittersweet view of the decision. "It's a bummer for everybody for sure," he said. "I feel bad for all the people that set the event up and put all the time in, and a lot of people traveled a long way to get here. There's nothing anybody can do about it. I have a lot of experience riding in the snow and there's a limit to what you can really get away with, and it went well beyond that. I think they obviously made the right call for sure, but it's never a good thing when something like this happens." Smage is currently recovering from a small flare-up of tendonitis which occurred in California the weekend before at rounds three and four of the series. "Looking at the positive side, it does give me a little bit more time to heal my wrist and hopefully be good to go to in Minnesota," he said. "But this is a first for me. And I hope to never see it happen again." After damages inflicted by the snowfall were assessed and the skeletons of broken E-Z Ups were discarded, attendees made the most of the situation with countless snowball fights, some sledding, and some entertain- ment from TRRS's Sam Fastle. At this time, the next and final event of the 2022 season will be held in Gilbert, Minnesota, June 11-12. Stephanie Vetterly IN THE WIND P56 It's easy to see why the Colorado round of the 2022 AMA/NATC U.S. National MotoTrials Series at Stock Ranch in Canon City, Colorado, got canceled, both days. PHOTO: STEPHANIE VETTERLY