alternate line that Austin [Wal-
ton] and the rest of the field were
taking through the pro section,"
Oliveira explained. "I pitted at the
55-minute mark, and I finally got
it that lap after when I followed
Austin through."
Walton, who ran strong the
entire race and held the lead
multiple times throughout the
first hour, made a resurgence
after a disappointing start to his
season. "It's been hard staying
consistent and not riding like
myself this year," proclaimed
the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
pilot. "The pro section added
some opportunities with creative
lines, and I was able to capital
-
ize today." In the end, Walton
rounded out the podium in third
after an intense last-lap battle
with teammate and desert ace
Dalton Shirey.
After a DNF at round four, SLR
Honda's Cole Martinez came to
town looking to draw the same
hand as the past two years, both
of which saw him walk away
victorious. Despite a mid-pack
start, Martinez put up a resound
-
ing effort that nearly matched
Oliveira's pace for most of the
race. In typical fashion, the
CRF450RX-mounted rider left
it all on the track in the closing
laps to claim the runner-up spot.
Finishing fifth on the day in a
quiet race was Purvines Rac
-
ing Yamaha rider Justin Hoeft.
Championship contender Ryan
Surratt suffered a big get off,
finishing sixth on his JCR Honda
and losing valuable points to
Oliveira.
In the Pro 2 ranks, 3Bros
Hatch Husqvarna's Kai Aiello
got his usual holeshot and led a
good portion of the race. Aiello
relinquished the lead on lap
five as RPM KTM's JP Alvarez
skipped a pit and blitzed Aiello
in the process. However, as
JP pitted the following lap, he
maintained the lead ahead of
the Husky rider, going on to win
the day in an emotional victory.
"It's been too long, maybe two or
three years, since I last won this
class," said Alvarez. "They had
some better pro lines than I had
today, but once I caught onto
them, I was able to charge to the
top and hold on for the win."
Australian Jack Simpson
rode consistent laps aboard
his Purvines Racing Yamaha to
finish second ahead of Aiello,
championship rival Kade Walker
and Colton Aeck.
The Pro Women's class was
VOLUME ISSUE APRIL , P45
Austin Walton fought
dust and roost all
day but prevailed
with his first podium
of the season.
Dante Oliviera took
the long way but still
got it done at the
Wild West Grand Prix.
