Casales Dominates So Far
W
ith the 2025 National Moto-
Trials Series already at its
halfway mark, it's clear who has
the upper hand, although it has
been a close battle for the top
spot between Spaniard Jorge
Casales (Montesa), the sixth-
ranked trials rider in the 2024
World GP Series, and 14-time
National Trials Champion Pat
Smage of Wisconsin. Although
Casales has won the first four
of eight rounds, it's been a battle
between him and the determined
Smage. But there's still half of
a season for Smage to mount
a comeback. In 2017, Smage
defeated top-10-ranked Spaniard
Marc Freixa (Montesa) to win
the title.
The first two rounds of the
series were held April 5-6 at
Red River Motorcycle Park in
Muenster, Texas, which presents
sandy, clay and tricky climbs and
descents. On this day, the weath
-
er was wet, cold and windy. In
fact, the event was delayed for
an hour to allow the temperature
to warm up and some of the
water to run off of the rocks.
Casales, used to slippery
conditions since he comes from
the northwest of Spain, similar
in climate to the USA's Pacific
Northwest, dropped six points
on the opening lap, while Smage
turned a card with 12 points.
As the rain stopped and the
sections began to dry, Smage
WIND
IN THE
P32
Spaniard Jorge
Casales has won
every round so far
in this year's AMA/
NATC MotoTrials
Championship,
including the latest
round in Southern
California.
PHOTO:
STEPHANIE VETTERLY
