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

About Shan

Owner and Editor of Trials and Enduro News MotoJournalist of the Year Honors from the AMA NATC Trials Hall of Fame inductee