attendance this weekend. They
were joined by more than 50
individuals competing in the LOI
(Letter of Intent) classes, includ-
ing many who also competed
in the LOI Pro class. This was
further punctuated by 10 women
competing in the LOI Women's
class. This is the first LOI Pro
Women's class for an ISDE Quali
-
fier to offer a purse. This was
in large part due to a donation
from Carlos Cheeseman, which
made it possible for the Redding
Dirt Riders to match the payout
and offer compensation to help
these racers on their quest to
race in Spain. In fact, throughout
all the classes this weekend,
almost $6000 will be paid out.
The race featured almost 200
miles of trail consisting of two
loops: a shorter-mileage East
Loop and a longer-mileage West
Loop. Together, racers would
complete both loops twice,
totaling almost 60 miles of fast,
technical racing each day.
Conditions on the first two
days of racing were what racers
dream about. Heavy rain in the
weeks prior to the race week
-
end made the ground just wet
enough to provide good traction
and keep dust to a minimum.
Coupled with bluebird sunny
skies and daytime temperatures
in the high 60s, it set the stage
for fast racing.
Racing kicked off at a fiery
pace on Saturday. Dante Oliveira
(KTM), who is already a lock for
the U.S. Trophy Team, as is his
brother Mateo, took the top Pro
spot, followed by Mateo Oliveira
and the top LOI rider Layton
Smail (1:53:12).
On Sunday, the
Oliveira brothers
battled it out again,
but this time traded
positions, with Ma
-
teo (1:42:41) com-
ing out on top over
his brother, Dante
(1:42:44). Smail
(1:44:46) maintained
his position in third
overall. All riders
pushed their paces
to each improve their
times by nine-plus
minutes.
Ava Silvestri (Gas
-
Gas) took the top
spot for LOI Women's
both days, improving
her time by over 10
minutes.
Day three, which
took place on Mon
-
day, February 26,
was for the LOI riders
only. The Oliveira brothers did
not compete on the day, as they
were technically competing in
the Pro class.
On Monday, Smail topped
the charts (all LOI riders) on his
Sherco and was the overall win
-
ner of the LOIs. Smail edged out
Jaden Dahners (KTM) by more
than two minutes, while Beta's
Zane Roberts was third overall,
another few minutes in back.
Tyler Vore (GasGas) and JT
Baker (KTM) rounded out the
top five overall.
Smail's dad, Lance, competed
in the LOI Senior division and
was fourth in class, behind
Senior winner Eric Forsberg, Eric
Stevenson and Ryan Kudla.
The top LOI female racer was
Silvestri in 27th overall.
Jenny Keller
Saturday
1. Dante Oliveira (KTM)
2. Mateo Oliveira (KTM)
3. Layton Smail (She)
4. Zane Roberts (Bet)
5. Tyler Vore (GG)
Sunday
1. Mateo Oliveira (KTM)
2. Dante Oliveira (KTM)
3. Layton Smail (She)
4. Jaden Dahner (KTM)
5. Tyler Vore (GG)
Monday (LOI)
1. Layton Smail (She)
2. Jaden Dahners (KTM)
3. Zane Roberts (Bet)
4. Tyler Vore (GG)
5. JT Baker (KTM)
VOLUME ISSUE FEBRUARY , P31
Dante Oliveira, who
topped day, finished
second to his
brother, Mateo, by
just three seconds.
