Melik Signs with GasGas
GasGas Offroad US has announced it has finalized a deal with Ohio’s Jeff Melik to ride a GasGas 300 in next year’s Rekluse/AMA National Enduro series. Melik, one of the circuit’s top pros, is looking forward to working with GasGas Offroad and riding a two-stroke again. “I think this is a good opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to it, especially the switch to a two-stroke,” said Melik. “I think the power delivery of the two-stroke fits my style much better than a four-stroke and I think the GasGas 300 is a great woods bike.” GasGas Offroad US, which is based in Georgia, will be the exclusive distributor for GasGas enduro line in the United States.
Photo Report: Maine National Enduro
Here's a look at the Noble Woods National Enduro in Maine.
Bobbitt Wins Maine Nat’l Enduro
Russell Bobbitt kept his title hopes alive – barely – by taking the win at round nine of the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Series in Noble, Maine. Charlie Mullins came into the event riding a five-round win streak and owning a 29-point lead in the series standings. The Obermeyer Am Pro/FMF Yamaha rider needed only to finish ahead of Bobbitt and Bobbitt’s FMF/KTM teammate Cory Buttrick to have a chance at wrapping the title up early, however, Mullins had an off day, while Bobbitt returned to his 2009 form, winning the final two tests to claim his first win of the year.
Mullins ended the day in fifth, while eight-time national champ Michael Lafferty finished second ahead of fellow Husaberg rider Nick Fahringer and FMF/KTM’s Nate Kanney.
“It feels good to finally get on top of the box,” said Bobbitt. “I didn’t really feel like the day was going fantastic. The last two tests I feel I was riding well, but it took a while to adjust to the rocks in the early tests.”
Bobbitt’s only major setback was an ugly cartwheel in the fourth section. Luckily, the defending champ landed in a soft section of dirt and was able to get back into the hunt after a few minor adjustments.
“I just had to adjust my levers to get going again, but it could have really been nasty,” added Bobbitt.
Despite the off day, Mullins still carries a 17 point lead into the series finale in Indiana and needs only to finish eight to wrap up the title.
“I struggled a little – I just wasn’t comfortable in the rocks,” said Mullins. “I just had a bad day and had a hard time finding my groove. It was an experience coming up here, but it was fun. I just need to get it together for the final round.
Lafferty won the first two tests of the 78-mile event and held the lead until crashes in the fourth and fifth tests dropped the New Jersey rider to second behind Bobbitt. With the finish, Lafferty moved into third overall in the series standings.
“I crashed in the last couple of tests, but I felt good today and I’m really happy with how our set-up is on the bike. Russ definitely put the pressure on and he deserves to win, he rode well.”
Like Bobbitt, Fahringer got faster as the day went on and he actually came from behind to beat out Kanney in the final two tests to claim third, which made for his third podium of the year.
Kanney, riding the new KTM 350 SX-F, held on for fourth ahead of Mullins and FMF/KTM’s Cory Buttrick.
The final round of the series is set for Saturday, October 2, in Matthews, Indiana.
O/A
1. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
2. Michael Lafferty (Hsb)
3. Nick Fahringer (Hsb)
4. Nate Kanney (KTM)
5. Charlie Mullins (Yam)
6. Cory Buttrick (KTM)
7. Andrew DeLong (KTM)
8. Pat Timothy (KTM)
9. Shane Hufford Jr. (KTM)
10. Jim Senecal (G_G)
Webb Claims National Trials Title at Donner
Norden, CA, July 30-August 1 – Cody Webb wrapped up his first AMA/NATC National Trials title with one round remaining on the schedule with a dominating ride at round nine of the series at Donner Ski Ranch. With plenty of hometown fans cheering him on, the northern California completed a sweep of the weekend with another impressive performance on Sunday to complete the series schedule.
After finishing runner-up in the series standings for four straight years, Webb picked up his game in 2010, winning eight of the 10 rounds to easily capture the championship. At Donner, Webb handled the huge granite walls and drops with precision, topping three-time and defending Champ Patrick Smage by 26 points on Saturday and 38 on Sunday. Smage ended the year in second position after taking two wins and eight seconds on his Sherco, while Webb’s GasGas USA teammate Keith Wineland was third both days in California and third overall in the series.
Mullins Wins Jack Pine Enduro
MOORESTOWN, MI, JULY 25 - Charlie Mullins can now add one of the most prestigious off-road event events in to country to his growing list of accomplishments after winning this year’s Jack Pine Enduro – round eight of the Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Series. Held annually in Moorestown, Michigan, this year marked the 85th running of the legendary event (it was held for the first time in 1923) and it awards a special travelling trophy to each year’s winner – a cowbell, which is passed on each year from winner to winner.
Despite the fact that he was riding the Jack Pine for the first time, Mullins took to the tight and sandy trails like a duck to water, winning five of the six tests and finishing the event with 36 seconds to spare over defending champ Russell Bobbitt.
The win was Mullins’ fifth in a row and sixth on the year and it boosted the Obermeyer/Am Pro/FMF Yamaha rider’s lead in the series standings to 29 points.
“It was a good day for me,” said Mullins. “It was pretty tight and the tests were short so there wasn’t much room for error, but this kind of stuff suits my style and I ended up having a good race.”
Mullins was pretty much perfect on the day except for a mishap in the fourth test, a nine-mile section, which was eventually won by Bobbitt.
“I got out of shape in the tight trees and I went down,” said Mullins. “I didn’t crash too hard but I stalled my bike and it took a while to get it going because it was so hot. But other than that one mistake it was a pretty solid day and I’m happy with it.”
Bobbitt’s second overall finish was his fourth such finish of the year, although he has finished off the podium twice due to a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Bobbitt’s the FMF/KTM teammate Cory Buttrick rounded out the podium, just edging out Husaberg’s Nick Fahringer with a strong final test.
Fahringer was fourth overall, 21 seconds behind Buttrick, while another Husaberg rider, Michael Lafferty, rounded out the top five.
With only two rounds left in the series, Mullins holds a safe lead over Buttrick, 198 points to 169, with Bobbitt sitting third with 167. The series resumes on August 22, in North Berwick, Maine.
O/A
1. Charlie Mullins (Yam)
2. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
3. Cory Buttrick (KTM)
4. Nick Fahringer (Hsb)
5. Michael Lafferty (Hsb)
6. Brad Bakken (KTM)
7. Glen Kearney (Hus)
8. Cole Kirkpatrick (KTM)
9. Shane Hufford Jr. (KTM)
10. Zach Klamfoth (Yam)
EnduroTrial Info
Here is information on the EnduroTrial which will be held at the Trials Training Center on October 16-17, 2010. This is an event that you don't want to miss!
Trial des Nations Teams Announced
With selections made and the members thick in competition for the 2010 AMA Racing/NATC Observed Trials National Championship Series, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that AMA Team USA is ready to take on the world at the 2010 Trial des Nations (TdN) in Myslenice, Poland, on Sept. 11-12.
"Trials is one of the world's premier competitive motorcycle disciplines, with a history and heritage that go back generations," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "The Trial des Nations is a major part of the AMA's international racing effort, and it is an honor to compete at this event. We're confident our riders will hold their own and make America proud at this world-class meet."
The 2010 men's team -- riding the International class this year -- will feature Pat Smage, Cody Webb and Keith Wineland. All veterans, these riders were part of the lineup that represented the United States in Italy in 2009 and collected AMA Team USA's best-ever fifth-place finish in the world championship event.
The Women's Team, which finished eighth in the Women's division last year, welcomes back the talents of Sarah Duke and Caroline Allen.
Smage, from Elkhorn, Wis., is a four-time AMA/NATC National Trials Champion and is tied for the points lead with Webb for the 2010 title. He will be returning for his fourth trip to the TdN.
"This year should be good," said Smage, who will ride a Sherco. "I'm glad I'm on the team this year. We should have a legitimate shot at getting a podium and potentially a shot at the win. I rode in Poland in 2007, riding the 125 line, so this should be a little tougher this year. I've had a lot more practice since then and feel a more confident."
The 19-year-old Smage is a veteran at international competition. In addition to the TdN, he has competed in various world rounds since 2007.
"I have a couple wins in the 125 class and one in the junior class," Smage said. "It's a different game over there. It's more mental than here. There are so many good riders that it's hard to go in and expect to excel. They have different techniques about how they go about their day, how they ride each section and how much time they take. Here, we could spend an hour in the first section, waiting for someone to go first. There, they go right away and they keep moving. Other riders try to get in front of you. There are bottlenecks. The pace is a lot quicker."
Webb, from Watsonville, Calif., will ride a Gas Gas in Italy. Wineland is from Fountain, Colo. He is third in the national points chase and will ride a Gas Gas at the TdN.
On the Women's Team, Duke, from Colorado Springs, Colo., is returning for her seventh TdN, and Allen, from Norton, Mass., will make her fourth trip to the event. Both will ride Gas Gas bikes at the TdN.
The sport of trials involves riders navigating their motorcycles over seemingly impossible terrain. The Trial des Nations began in Europe in 1983 as a way to bring the best trials riders from each country together to compete as teams, and it has evolved into one of the most anticipated trials events of the year. Each competing country fields two teams: a men's team consisting of four riders and a women's team consisting of three riders.
For more information on Team USA for the 2010 Trial des Nations team, visit USATdN.org.
Mullins Takes Wyoming Enduro
Charlie Mullins won the Wyoming round of the series. (Photo by Kenneth King)
Charles Mullins continues his domination of the Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Series with a win at the seventh round of the series, the Inyan Kara Enduro. The Obermeyer/AM Pro/FMF Yamaha-backed Mullins won four of the six checks en route to the win.
“I had a good race today, I don't think I ever fell,” said Mullins. “My Bike ran good and I knew I had a lead going into the final section. I just tried to ride smart and not blow it.”
In the runner up spot was Cory Buttrick, the FMF/KTM rider setting the fastest time in the first and last sections, but ultimately finished a bit over a minute behind Mullins.
“I rode good, and I know I was fast in a couple of sections, I just need to work on the sections in between. said Buttrick.
Finishing out the podium was Husaberg's Mike Lafferty. The eight-time national champ was in the hunt most of the day but couldn't quite put it all together.
“I felt more comfortable on the bike today than I have all year,” admitted Lafferty. “Mullins and Buttrick just have a bit faster pace.”
Defending Series Champ Russell Bobbitt finished fourth, despite still suffering the effects of a separated shoulder. Bobbitt battled most of the day with Lafferty and would finish 25 seconds from the New Jersey rider. Rounding out the top five was Husvarna's Glenn Kearney.
Results
- Charles Mullins 32:25
- Corey Buttrick 33:20
- Mike Lafferty 34:00
- Russell Bobbitt
- Glenn Kearney
Webb and Smage Trade Wins in Rhode Island
Patrick Smage won by a single dab on Sunday.
Cody Webb and Patrick Smage remain tied atop the championship points standings in the AMA National Trials Series after trading wins at rounds three and four of the series in Exeter, Rhode Island.
Just as he had done at the opener in Oklahoma, Webb struck first, taking a decisive win over Smage on the slippery rock outcroppings of Stepping Stone Ranch during Saturday’s round. The two riders riders – Webb on the Gas Gas Race model and Smage on a modified 300cc Sherco – remained tied through the first six sections of the opening lap, but Webb was able to break away at section seven after Smage scored a surprising five when he was not able to make a steep climb. Webb countered with a two on the section and from that point on the Californian was in the drivers seat. Webb went on to finish the first lap with a score of 7 while Smage finished with four points more.
“Pat and I were both clean through the sixth section and I was starting the think it was going to be tight,” said Webb. “But in section seven Pat had kind of an unfortunate five and nobody was expecting that. So I was thinking that was some weight off my shoulders. But then I went in there and I gave it way too much throttle and almost looped out. I saved it, although it was pretty out of control, and I ended up getting a two out of it, so that gave me a bit of a cushion over Pat for the rest of the loop.”
Cody Webb took the win on Saturday.
Both Webb and Smage fived the following section – number 8, which ended up being one of the toughest of the trial.
On the second lap, Webb increased his lead, dropping three points to Smage’s seven, after taking a one on section eight, and then finishing up with two other one-point rides.
In section 10, Webb spun his rear wheel and was lucky to get out with a two, which were all the points he took for his final lap.
Webb ended up taking Saturday’s win by 13 points over Smage, 12 points to 25, while Webb’s Gas Gas USA teammate Keith Wineland finished third with 71 points.
“I was really satisfied with my ride, the bike was working really well and I felt good on this stuff,” said Webb. “I had no idea how well Pat was doing, because I was riding ahead of him. I think he got a little frustrated when he had that five on the first lap, that was unexpected and he fell off the pace right away. Sometimes when you are playing catch-up you make mistakes you normally wouldn’t make.”
For all intents and purposes, section seven on the first lap cost Smage the win.
“In number seven, I think I kind of rushed it a little bit,” said Smage. “I was planning on using third gear but for some reason I forgot and right when I got ready to go I remembered I was in second and that kind of messed me up for the double step.”
“Unfortunately, I just had too many fives today,” added Smage. “Cody was riding awesome, he gets better every time I see him and I was going to be tough to beat him no matter what, but I didn’t help myself with that five in seven. Once you make the first mistake it’s hard not to make the next ones.”
On Sunday, Smage got off to a bad start when he fived the opening section, giving Webb another opening. Webb cleaned the section and went on to finish the first lap with a three-point advantage over Smage – Webb completing the lap with just three marks lost, while Smage dropped six.
On lap two, Smage got back in the groove and needed only a single dab to complete the 12-section course. Webb on the other hand, dropped a three in the mud bog at section 10 and added one other dab in section 11 for a total of four.
After two laps Webb and Smage were tied with seven points each and the two riders started the final lap in the rain, which in Rhode Island, translates into slippery conditions ahead! Both riders cleaned the first seven sections, however, Webb encountered trouble in the difficult eighth, spinning out on a slick rock and taking a three. Another dab in section 11 gave Webb four points for the lap and 11 for the day. Smage countered with three single dabs and a total of 10 for the win.
“I just misjudged how muddy that first section was and that three put me in a hole again,” said Smage. “I was able to shake it off and just hope that there were enough tough sections that I could overcome it. I just followed Cody and watched his lines. He was riding awesome and it took everything I had to beat him but I was able to do it.”
Wineland again finish third, with Commo once again finishing fourth.
Results:
Saturday
1. Cody Webb 12
2. Patrick Smage 25
3. Keith Wineland 71
4. Ron Commo III 121
5. Karl Davis Jr. 155
6. Andrew Oldar 161
Sunday
1. Patrick Smage 10
2. Cody Webb 11
3. Keith Wineland 67
4. Ron Commo III 131
5. Karl Davis Jr. 139
6. Andrew Oldar 155
Mullins Wins Muddy Missouri Enduro
Charlie Mullins claimed his third-straight win in the Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Series, and in the process took control of the series points lead with a dominating performance at the wet and challenging Leadbelt National Enduro, near Park Hills, Missouri.
Mullins’ championship hopes were in doubt after he DNFed the Florida round of the series back in March, but the Obermeyer/Am Pro/FMF Yamaha rider has been unbeatable since then and now holds an 11-point lead over factory Husaberg rider Michael Lafferty with four rounds remaining on the schedule.
Defending champ Russell Bobbitt held a slim four-point lead coming into the Missouri round, however, the FMF/KTM rider was off the pace after separating his shoulder the week before, and struggled to finish ninth in the muddy, rock-laden event.
Riding strong from the start, Mullins won four of the six tests outright, and then tied FMF/KTM’s Cory Buttick for the fastest time in one other. In all, Mullins finished the 65-mile event almost a minute faster than Buttrick, who won the fourth test and ended the day in second overall.
Third place went to Husaberg rider Nick Fahringer, while Husqvarna’s Glenn Kearney finished fourth, just three seconds behind Fahringer.
“The track held up well and I just tried to ride to the best of my abilities and things turned out well,” said Mullins. “I did what I wanted to do, and that was win and get in the points lead. This event had a little bit of everything and it was a fun event – the club did a great job.”
Lafferty ran in third position for most of the race, but a poor showing in the final test dropped him behind Faringer and Kearney.
“I passed Bobbitt before the waterfall in the sixth test and then I fell off a ravine, and my legs started to cramp when I tried to get going again,” said Lafferty. “After that I just lost it.”
Lafferty held on to finish fifth, ahead of Monster Energy/JG Off-road’s Jimmy Jarrett and KTM riders Andrew Long and Brad Bakken.
A steady rain on Saturday and then off and on rains during the event on Sunday made the Missouri rocks quite slippery, but as usual, the Missouri Mudders were prepared for the worst and pulled off an excellent event.
After six rounds, Mullins holds the series points lead with Charlie Mullins 138 points, with Lafferty sitting in second with 127. Bobbitt holds third at 124 points, while Buttrick (123) and Fahringer (107) round out the top five.
O/A:
1. Charlie Mullins (Yam)
2. Cory Buttrick (KTM)
3. Nick Fahringer (Hsb)
4. Glenn Kearney (Hsq)
5. Michael Lafferty (Hsb)
6. Jimmy Jarrett (Kaw)
7. Andrew Delong (KTM)
8. Brad Bakken (KTM)
9. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
10. Josh Gaitten (KTM)
Standings:
1. Charlie Mullins (138/4 wins)
2. Michael Lafferty (127/1 win)
3. Russell Bobbitt (124)
4. Cory Buttrick (123/1 win)
5. Nick Fahringer (107)
6. Glenn Kearney (93)
7. Brad Bakken (75)
8. Cole Kirkpatrick (71)
9. Andrew Delong (66)
10. Josh Gaitten (57)
ShanBlog #4, Stardate May 6, 2010
I'm still reeling from the sights and sounds of the opening two rounds of the national trials series in Oklahoma. Everyone was thrilled having learned that defending champ Patrick Smage had won the Portugal round of the World Junior Championships just one week before and I couldn't wait to see what the Wisconsin rider looked like after spending all winter practicing in his barn. However, it was Cody Webb with the hot hand on Saturday, the newly acquired Gas Gas rider came out with guns blazing on Saturday, tackling the super-tough Tishomingo sections with confidence and poise. Even though Smage told us he was having problems getting his new Sherco jetted correctly, lots of credit should go to Webb for the ride he turned in on the opening day.
Smage came into the event with a brand new Sherco 2.9, which had a new S3 315cc big-bore kit installed, in addition to a high-compression head. All of this was in anticipation of some really big climbs and gaps - which the Texhoma club produced. However, Smage just didn't have the time to get things sorted out before Saturday's event.
After Webb took the big win on Saturday (he beat Smage by 16 points), Ryan Young and Brad Baumert stayed at the Tish club grounds until late in the evening getting things sorted out. On Sunday, Smage turned in an impressive ride, cleaning every section except for the first creek section, which took a three and a one from him.
At the end of the day, Smage took the win, and he left Oklahoma deadlocked with Webb for the series standings.
As for Europe, Smage told me he didn't enjoy the trip to Spain and Portugal and wasn't planning on going back - which is a big disappointment for most of the trials community, however, Smage is a great talent and what we need to hope for - as far as the prospects of a future US World Champ, is that he continues to compete for may years to come so the younger riders coming up (and there are a lot of really talented kids coming up through the ranks, thanks to people like Bill Markham, Ryan Young and Dan Brown), and hopefully, we will soon find a young American willing to do what Bernie Schreiber did and go to Europe, learn the techniques and take it to those guys... just my thoughts.
Rad Dad Helmet Cam from Jesse Warner
Check out this cool helmet cam video from the Rad Dad enduro from Jesse Warner...
Webb, Smage Kick Off Trials Series
Cody Webb and Patrick Smage served notice that the 2010 season is not going to be a runaway by any single rider after trading wins at the opening two rounds of the AMA/NATC National Trials Series in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, this weekend.
Smage was fresh off of a big win at the Portuguese round of the Junior World Championships heading into the Oklahoma event, however, it was Webb who was the dominant rider on Saturday, riding his 300 Pro Racing Gas Gas to a 19-point margin of victory over Smage on the tough and intimidating course. The Oklahoma sections consisted of enormous ups and large, spectacular gaps over grippy, sandstone rocks that jutted out of the hilly landscape. Smage, on the other hand, started off the event by fiving the opening section. Uncharacteristically, the defending champ claimed a total of five fives over the 36-section course, leaving Webb to take the easy victory.
“This was definitely what I was hoping for,” said Webb. “After seeing the results from last week’s Portugal round, I knew Pat would be on his game. But I feel I was ready and the bike was working well. Honestly, nothing went wrong for me and everyone else seemed to be making mistakes. So I’m super-stoked to come out on top.”
Colorado’s Keith Wineland finished third with 70 points, while fellow Gas Gas USA rider Ron Commo III was fourth with 146.
After making a few set-up changes to his Sherco 2.9 on Saturday evening, Smage seemed to return to the form that won him three-straight titles. The Wisconsin native dropped a total of four points in the creek section that opened Sunday’s event, and then cleaned every other section, en route to a four-point day. Webb again started strong, but struggled in the ninth section, logging a total of 10 points in the section. Webb finished the event with a total of 13 marks to finish second behind Smage.
Wineland rounded out the podium again after posting a 58-point card, while Sherco rider Karl Davis Jr. finished fourth on 130 points.
The Texhoma Trials Club changed up the format for the event to give spectators a better chance at seeing the action. Sections 1 through 6 were ridden three times each by the Pros to start the event, and then, after a 30 minute break, riders and spectators moved down the loop for three laps of sections 7 through 12.
After two rounds, Smage and Webb are tied atop the series standings with 55 points each, while Wineland sits third with 42.
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