Smage Dominates Tennessee Trials; U.S. TdN Team Announced

Shan Moore | July 1, 2009

Patrick Smage topped both days at the third and fourth rounds of the AMA/NATC Nationals Trials in Sequatchie, Tennessee, June 27-28. Smage finished well ahead of the pack both days on the rocky terrain.

The Sherco-mounted Smage finished 31 points clear of Cody Webb on both days. Will Ibsen filled out the podium both Saturday and Sunday, while Keith Wineland and Ron Commo III finished fourth and fifth both days.

And that wasn’t the only news that came out of Tennessee. The North American Trials Council announced the Men’s and Women’s teams that will represent the United States at this year’s Trials des Nations September 19 in Darfo Boario Terme, Italy.

Representing the Mens’s squad will be the same top four riders at the Tennesse National: Webb, Ibsen, Wineland and the defending AMA/NATC National Champion Smage. This year will mark Smage’s third year to be selected for the team; however, he was unable to participate in last year’s event due to an injury.

“It’s awesome to be on the team again and I think we will have a really good squad this year,” said Smage. “This year I will be riding a 290 [Sherco]. When I rode in 2007, I was riding a 125 because I wasn’t old enough to ride a bigger bike, and it was really tough to get through the sections. I was trying really hard but there were a lot of really big walls and I just couldn’t make it over them. So I am really excited about this year.”

The Women’s team will be comprised of Caroline Allen, Sara Duke and Louise Forsley.