Photo Report: Rhode Island National Trials

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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.

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