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.

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.

Smage Ties Things Up

Sherco USA’s Patrick Smage fired back at round two of the AMA/NATC National Trials Series in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, taking a solid win and moving into a two-way tie with yesterday’s winner, Gas Gas rider Cody Webb, for the series points lead.

Today’s event was somewhat easier than yesterday, and Smage ended up cleaning every section except for one – a creek section where he went 3-1-0. Webb, on the other hand, started strong but had problems in the tricky ninth section – a tough step out of a muddy creek – and ended the day with a total of 13 points, compared to four for Smage.

Gas Gas USA’s Keith Wineland turned in several stylish rides and finished the event with a total of 58 points for third, while Sherco’s Karl Davis Jr. topped Ron Commo Jr. (G-G) for fourth.

With two rounds in the books, Smage and Webb lead the series standings with 55 points each, while Wineland sits third with 42.

Webb Draws First Blood at Oklahoma Trials

Cody Webb fired the first shot at the opening round of the AMA/NATC National Trials Series, in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, taking a 19-point victory over defending series champ Patrick Smage on rather tough and intimidating terrain.

Webb was precise and confident throughout the event, handling the enormous ups and large gaps with very few errors on his Gas Gas USA-backed TXT 300, and at the end of the opening loop, the Californian held a three-point advantage over Smage, who was dealing with setup issues on his Sherco. Smage, who had just returned on Monday from winning the Portugal round of the World Junior Championships, was dealing with jetting problems with his new Sherco, and had changed carburetors just before the event – not to take anything away from Webb, though, who turned in clean after impressive clean.

On the second lap, Webb increased his lead by three more points, while the final lap was his most impressive – an amazing two-point effort, compared to a 15-point lap for the defending champ. At the end of the day, Webb turned in a total of 16 points, compared to 35 for Smage.

“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.”

Keith Wineland finished third with 70 points, while fellow Gas Gas USA rider Ron Commo III was fourth with 146.

Karl Davis Jr. put his Sherco into sixth with 153 points, with Bailey Tucker (G-G) and Andrew Oldar (Shr) finishing seventh and eighth after logging 159 and 165 points, respectively.

Round two of the series will take place tomorrow.

Pro Results:
1. Cody Webb 16
2. Patrick Smage 35
3. Keith Wineland 70
4. Ron Commo III 146
5. Karl Davis Jr. 155
6. Bailey Tucker 159
7. Andrew Oldar 165
8. Miles Morgan 170
9. Shad Petersen 179