SMAGE CLINCHES U.S. MOTOTRIALS TITLE
S
herco USA's Pat Smage
clinched his ninth U.S. Na-
tional MotoTrials title with a 1-2
performance at the final round
of the 2017 SWM U.S. National
MotoTrials Championship at
Stepping Stone Ranch in Exeter,
Rhode Island, June 24-25.
Smage topped Montesa
USA's Marc Freixa by six points
on Saturday to all but wrap up
the title with one round remain-
ing (the next day), leaving him
needing only to finish Sunday's
event to clinch the champion-
ship. Freixa came out swing-
ing on Sunday, however, and
claimed one last victory over
Smage by 11 points, but the
Spaniard's effort was too little
too late, as Smage's first- and
second-place finishes at the
two-day event were more than
enough for the Sherco USA
rider to clinch the title.
Smage credited the extra
work he put in during the off-
season for his success in win-
ning this year's title.
"Overall, I was surprised
and happy with the outcome
this weekend and it was kind
of emotional because of all the
hard work I put in over the win-
ter," said Smage. "The feeling
you get is something you strive
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