but not too crazy for an off-
road race," Oliveira said. "I had
a couple of spots where I was
quicker, so I put more effort into
those sections. I kind of ride a
little bit harder and more ag
-
gressive when I'm behind, and
then once I'm out front, I'm able
to relax a little more. It's funner
coming through the pack and
charging behind them because
you've got to be a little more
creative and get out of their lines
and find passing opportunities
and whatnot."
Oliveira and his Red Bull/Dun
-
lop/Alpinestars 450 XC-F found
that opportunity about 30 min-
utes in and managed to stay just
ahead of a motivated DeMartile's
Fiji Water/Pirelli/FXR 480 RR for
the rest of the race.
"I love having my family and
friends come out and see how
hard I work at this sport," DeMar-
tile said. "To be able to have a
professional off-road race in
NorCal, where I grew up racing,
is kind of a dream of mine.
"Dante and I put on a pretty
good clinic. Cole was there for
the first hour, but after that, Dante
and I were pulling pretty hard. I
knew I had a decent shot of get
-
ting up on the podium; I wanted
to get the win, but I'm happy with
second, and I'm happy for him—
he's a savage man!"
Though his time in front
was short-lived, Cole Martinez,
aboard his Monster Energy/
Skechers/Fly Racing CRF450RX,
never let the lead duo get too
far ahead, finishing 26 seconds
behind DeMartile. The round-
five winner said, "I wasn't too
bummed about [getting passed
by Oliveira then DeMartile] be
-
cause I knew they were from up
here, so [they had] kind of like a
home-track advantage, not that
it's a home track for Dante, but
pretty close, [since] they've been
here many times.
"I wanted to get a win here, be
-
ing that it was their home track,
but that's racing."
Mateo Oliveira and his Mo
-
torex/VP Racing Fuels/Scott
Goggles 450 XC-F also enjoyed
WIND
IN THE
P44
Before going back to
Australia for a few months
over summer break, Mason
Semmens added a fourth
Pro II win to his record with
visiting motocrosser Parker
Ross a strong second and
Collier Martinez third.
