VOL. 52 ISSUE 16 APRIL 26, 2016 P23
Amazingly, Baylor managed
to banzai past everyone to close
in on Witkowski as they started
the last lap, though the young
rider on his two-stroke appeared
to hold enough of a gap to seal
the win as long as he made no
mistakes.
However, a mistake is what
cost Witkowski victory on this
day. He said, "Right before the
finish almost—maybe a mile be-
fore—the front end washed on an
off-camber. That was it and Stew
got away."
Witkowski did, however,
demonstrate he had the speed
that could topple the champ: "It
felt like I could run with Stew no
problem; we had a good race
going. For the rest of the rounds
at the OMAs, I think it'll be good
racing going."
For Bonneur who's switch-
ing up his program this year to
National Enduros and the OMAs,
the return to his single-track
roots was a good one aboard his
DP Brakes/Maxxis/Fly Racing-
backed RM-Z450. "We got
attached to the leaders in both
races. That was kind of a good
feeling for a change.
"I think Stew was kind of slow-
playing us there for a little while.
He likes to ride comfortably and
get comfy before he drops the
hammer so I was hanging on
to Stew there for a little while.
Mikey got out in front of us late
in the second moto so I think
Stew quit playing around. As
soon as he dropped the hammer
to go catch Mikey, I was trying to
hang on, but it was all I could do
to see him in some of the longer
field sections."
Baylor's SRT KTM teammate
Mark Heresco went 5-4 for
fourth over AirGroup/Radiant
Racing Husqvarna's Nick Fah-
ringer, who tallied a 4-5 day.
In the Pro 2 ranks, Nishna Val-
ley Cycle KTM's Logan Lowrey
and last year's overall A winner
Cody Barnes traded wins with
the Barnes Family/FMF YZ250
rider, staying off the ground to
eke out the all-important moto-
two triumph and class overall.
Obermeyer/MCS Racing Su-
zuki's Duell Murphy put in a 3-3
for third.
Mark Karyia
Despite less than ideal
starts and a bum knee,
Steward Baylor rode
smart, coming from
behind in both motos
to start the series as
the winner.
The Pro 2 podium featured (from left)
runner-up Logan Lowrey, winner Cody
Barnes and Duell Murphy.
