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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1523001
Smage, Martyn Trade Wins F actoryOne Sherco's Pat Smage and U.S. Montesa Honda-backed Toby Martyn split wins at the latest rounds of the 2024 AMA/NATC MotoTrials USA National Championship Series, presented by Trial Store USA, returning to the infamous Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tennessee, June 22-23. As is typical of the venue in the summer months, tempera - tures neared 100 degrees and humidity was high; attention to proper nutrition and hydration was key to staying sharp and keeping in the competition. The hosting club, the Southeast - ern Trials Riders Association, worked to uncover sections and areas that were used back in the '90s and also at some previous FIM World Trial Cham- pionship rounds and had long since been reclaimed by Mother Nature. As a result, despite most of the Pro class having significant experience riding the Sequatchie course throughout their riding careers, many of the sections and lines were now new to the riders, giving every - one a more even playing field. Sections were extremely tech- nical, and many riders found that precise tire placement was necessary to avoid accidentally misplacing a marker and taking full points. Competition in the Pro class was extremely tight. Smage and Martyn tied on Saturday with 15 points, with Smage edging out the Brit by cleaning (completing the section without taking any points) one more section, 30 to Martyn's 29. On Sunday, with sections only slightly easier, the top box saw Martyn take only a single point to Smage's three points. GasGas's Josh Roper rounded out the podium both days with scores of 38 and 16. WIND IN THE P44 The battle for the win at the AMA MotoTrials Championship was close, with Pat Smage taking a narrow win on Saturday. PHOTOS: STEPHANIE VETTERLY