Robert Wins WORCS Opener

Cycle News Staff | January 23, 2013
Defending champion  Taylor Robert wins the opening round of the 2013 WORCS season at Canyon MX in Peoria  Arizona.

The opening round of the 2013 WORCS Series picked up where it left off with Taylor Robert running off with the win.

The Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series, presented by Motoworks and Dirt Bike Magazine, season opener kicked off at Canyon MX in Peoria, Arizona, with defending champion, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Taylor Robert , bringing home the win. Precision Concept’s Bobby Bell claimed the second spot followed by DTS / Zip-Ty Racing’s Gary Sutherlin.

Robert was edged out on the start by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott, but Robert would take over the lead early in lap one and never look back. Robert would go on to take the win with over a minute to spare despite having a few get offs during the new two-hour long single-race format.

“I felt like I was struggling in the rocky sections, I tipped a few times and yard-sailed once. Luckily I kept it together for the win, “said Robert after his win.

Bell got off to a mid-pack start, but he quickly charged his way into the second spot by lap three, but he wasn’t able to reel in Robert with Bell taking the checkers securely in second place.

Sutherlin looked right at home on his new Yamaha YFZ450 ride for 2013, as he secured the final spot on the podium to kick off the season.

“I rode a Kawi for a couple of years, and I had a great time. I wouldn’t be here without them, but with them stepping out of the off-road division, I went out and bought a YZ450,” said Sutherlin.

In the Pro 2 class, KTM’s Ty Tremaine grabbed the holeshot, but his lead would be short lived with KTM’s Eric Yorba charging his way into the lead by the fourth lap. Yorba would go on to claim the class win with over two minutes to spare on Kawasaki-mounted David Broderick, with Tremaine claiming the final spot on the podium.