IN
THE
WIND
P22
BAYLOR, BARNES BIG WINNERS
AT OMA KICKOFF
C
oming into the season
injured isn't the ideal way to
start a series, but SRT KTM's
Steward Baylor dealt with his
recently tweaked knee in the
best way possible by winning
both motos for the overall victory
at the Beaman Monster Cross-
Country National, round one in
the six-race Zaagman Farms Off-
road Motorcycle and ATV (OMA)
Nationals. Maxxis/FMF/RPM
Racing KTM's Mike Witkowski
proved to be his strongest chal-
lenger but had to settle for a 2-2
finish for second, while Funmart
Cycles Suzuki rider Adam Bon-
neur claimed the final podium
spot with his 3-3 day.
"In these OMAs with the two
45-minute moto format, it's easy
for a lot of guys to get up [in
front with sheer speed]," Ken-
da/Motul/O'Neal Racing 350
XC-F-mounted Baylor explained.
"Some guys can hold their head
on straight for 45 minutes where
they can't for two or three hours
so it's really anybody's game.
You just have to be in position;
the right spot at the right time
waiting for their mistake and
luckily, Mike made it today. If he
didn't make that mistake, I don't
think I would've beat him."
Witkowski nabbed the $50
FMF Holeshot Award in both
motos at the brand-new O'Neill
Farm venue aboard his Maxxis/
Motorex/Klim 250 XC and led
most of the way, only to yield to
the defending champ on the last
lap each time. But he had the
best chance to beat Baylor in
the second moto when Baylor's
bike refused to start, leaving him
well back of the rest of the Pro
pack by the time it lit.
The two-stroke contingent led the start of the first
moto with Mike Witkowski (282) the quickest of
the group along with Nick Fahringer (901), Austin
Butler (11) and Mark Heresco (412).
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
MARK
KARIYA
