Paul Whibley Wins OMA Off-Road National Opener In Missouri

Mark Kariya | April 21, 2014

Paul Whibley won the Moonshine Cross-Country OMA opener in Missouri. Photography by Mark Kariya

Paul Whibley won the opening round of the OMA Series after a tough battle with Jason Thomas. Photography by Mark Kariya

MEMPHIS, MO, APRIL 20 – The 2014 Parts Unlimited Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals got underway in Memphis, Missouri, April 20, with the running of the Moonshine Cross-Country National, where former OMA champ Paul Whibley outlasted Jason Thomas for the overall victory.

Whibley got out in front early, while Thomas was left behind after crashing in the first turn.

But Thomas recovered quickly and caught everyone ahead of him, including Whibley. Thomas took charge but Whibley never backed off, keeping the pressure on Thomas the whole way.

Whibley finally made a pass on Thomas on the white-flag lap and held on for the close win. Thomas ended up second with 2012 National Enduro Champion Steward Baylor taking third.

Adam Bonneur finished a few minutes back in fourth and Pro 2 winner Mark Heresco rounded out the top five overall.

Pro 2 runner-up Tyson Emery was sixth overall, followed 52 seconds later by Spencer Burke who took third Pro 2 less than a second ahead of Cody Bollinger, who was three seconds ahead of Derek Spangler. Logan Housenga was both the first A overall and the Lite A winner at 10th overall.