Photo By Shan Moore
Dab Smage kicked off the 2016 SWM US National MotoTrials Series within the best possible way, with a win on Saturday.
The 2016 SWM US National Championship MotoTrials Series kicked off in Ocala, Florida this weekend where eight-time and defending US Champ Pat Smage (Team RYP/Zip Express/Dunlop/Maxima/Sherco) plus former number three in the world, Spaniard Marc Freixa (US Montesa), split wins over the course of the two-day event.
Freixa is a welcomed addition to the American series, and in addition to competing in the championship he is also here to assist develop American talent for Honda/Montesa. The 37-year-old retired from the globe championship series five years ago plus hasn’t ridden in competition till this weekend, so he arrived to the Florida event as somewhat of a dark horse. However , Smage had a good idea of what Freixa was capable of.
“Freixa was actually one of my favorite riders to watch when I has been growing up, ” said Smage. “I watched him on videos and am knew what he was one of the best in the world, so to be able to compete with your pet now is really cool. ”
Smage got away from to a great start on Day One, publishing a three-point first lap as temperatures approached ninety degrees along with high humidity. The Wisconsin rider was clean until the seventh section, where he managed to get through what most of the riders considered the toughest portion of the day with a two-point ride.
“That area had a big wall in the beginning and an exit that required determine precision, ” said Smage. “I just didn’t get enough raise on the big wall on the 1st lap and had to put my feet down to pull it onto the particular rock. ”
Photo By Shan Moore
Spaniard Marc Freixa won day two of the Florida MotoTrial series opener.
Smage came back with a clean in section seven on his second attempt, propelling him to a two-point second lap. On lap three, Smage needed just one point to navigate the 12-section course, and he ended the day with six total points (3/2/1) to provide him a decisive victory.
“I felt I rode well considering it was your first event of the season, ” said Smage. “A couple of my points came from just nervous dabs or in situations where I used to be close to the ribbon and rather than risk a five I just took a place. ”
Having not competed since the last year season, Freixa had to shake off some of the rust on Day One; and though he or she clean section seven on the starting lap, he fived it in the second lap.
“I just didn’t obtain enough lift and I hit my skidplate, ” explained Freixa.
Freixa completed lap one with six factors, while his second lap consisted of five points. The father of two whittled his score down to two points on his final lap, offering him a total of 13 during the day and second overall.
“I’m happy with the way i rode, considering it’s my 1st competition in a long time, ” stated Freixa. “It was difficult, and I got tired, but there are plenty more rounds to go. ”
Photo By Shan Moore
Andrew Putt completed a pair of consistent third place surface finishes.
Andrew Putt (Team RYP/Zip Express/Dunlop/Maxima/Sherco) rounded out the particular podium on Saturday with a total of 27 points. The Pennsylvania rider got off to a shaky start, dropping 18 points on lap one, but came back with six on lap two along with an excellent three-point final lap.
“Today proceeded to go well, although the first lap was a bit rocky, but I think I was just trying to get back in the swing associated with things, ” said Putt. “I was able to get it together on the second and third loops and our third loop I’m really proud of. ”
Gas Gas USA’s Alex Niederer turned in a solid performance to claim fourth with 63 total points.
“My first lap was a little away from but I improved with each lap so I’m happy with my performance, ” said Niederer. “This was a good start to my season. ”
Meanwhile, Karl Davis Jr. (Team RYP/Zip Express/Dunlop/Maxima/Scorpa) made a triumphal return to national competition after a three-year layoff to round out the very best five just one point behind Niederer.
Upon Sunday, Freixa turned the tables on Smage, taking a clear victory after dropping just one dab the whole day, although he was given a questionable five when he crossed their tracks in section 11, departing the Spaniard with a total rating of six for the day.
“I don’t understand the markers here in the United States and it is unfortunate but they called a five for me, ” said Freixa.
Sunday’s sections did not suit Smage as well as Saturday’s sections did, and the Sherco rider got a few costly points on some of the loose uphill climbs. Smage finished the event with a total of fifteen points for second place, causing him tied for first place in the series standings with Freixa proceeding into next week’s round in Tennessee.
“These sections didn’t really suit my style, although this is the type of stuff I’ve been trying to turn, ” said Smage. “I took a lot of points that I know We shouldn’t have and that cost me today. I’m looking forward to next week in Tennessee, where I know the terrain will suit my style. ”
Putt rounded out the podium for the second day in a row, finishing Sunday’s event with 21 points.
“Today was obviously a lot better, ” said Putt. “I found my groove on the first lap instead of on the second and third loops like yesterday. After my first loop I was happy because I knew I could fix the mistakes I produced. On the second lap I eliminated one of my mistakes from the initial lap, but I added a mistake in another place. But my last lap I was really happy with, so I think I’m going in the correct direction. ”
Karl Davis Jr. improved by one position over Saturday’s event, putting his Scorpa into fourth place for Sunday with a score of 61 points. In the mean time, Pennsylvania’s Logan Bolopue rounded out there the top five with a total of 68.
The series resumes action next weekend at the Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tennessee, for models three and four of the collection. For more information about the 2016 SWM ALL OF US National Championship MotoTrials Series much more www.mototrials.com.
RESULTS
Saturday
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Pat Smage (Shr) six
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Marc Freixa (Mon) 13
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Andrew Putt (Shr) 27
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Alexander Niederer (GG) 63
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Karl Davis Jr. (Sco) 64
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Logan Bolopue (Shr) 73
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Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (Mon) 79
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Sam Fastle (Shr) 86
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Quinn Wentzel (Sco) ninety-seven
Sunday
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Marc Freixa (Mon) 6
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Pat Smage (Shr) 15
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Andrew Putt (Shr) 21
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Karl Davis Junior. (Sco) 61
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Logan Bolopue (Shr) 68
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Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (Mon) 75
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Alex Niederer (GG) 81
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Sam Fastle (Shr) 103
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Quinn Wentzel (Sco) 133