Smage and Webb Split California National Trials

Shan Moore | August 5, 2007

Sherco teammates Patrick Smage and Cody Webb each claimed wins at rounds seven and eight of the AMA/NATC National Trials Series held at Donner Ski Ranch near Truckee, California this weekend.

Smage dominated the action during Saturday’s round, which was held at a strength-sapping altitude of 7500 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The 17-year-old topped the field by 16 points en route to his fifth win of the 10-round series and extended his lead in the championship standings to a comfortable margin. Meanwhile, US Montesa’s Keith Wineland edged Webb for second on the day in a tie-breaker.

On Sunday, the effects of the extreme altitude and grueling course began to take its toll as both Smage and Webb started the event with unnecessary fives in relatively easy sections. In the end, Webb committed the least amount of errors to take his first win of the year.

Smage finished second, while Scorpa USA’s Will Ibsen celebrated his 18th birthday by taking the first podium of his career, with a third place finish.