LORANGER, LA

Fortunately, the rains held off - for the most part - and allowed 140 participants to enjoy round seven of the MTA Louisiana Cross-Country Series at Competition Cycle Ranch in Loranger, Louisiana. The course included a motocross track, challenging trails with a few bogs and hillclimbs, the AOK Services Log Jam, and the City Cycles Live Oak Ledge.

In the XC1 Expert class, KTM rider Stephen Sturges got the holeshot and led the pack until Suzuki City Suzuki jockey Stephen Reed and MTA's Jonathan Plunkett, also Suzuki-mounted, were able to get by. Reed pulled a 10-second gap over Plunkett by the end of the first lap and checked out, landing his sixth overall victory of the season. Plunkett remained in second place for four laps until his clutch gave way and he was forced to pull into the pits.

KTM rider Jason Reine (above) got the holeshot in the adjoined Lites class and rode to his best finish of the season with a second overall and also once again won the XC2 Lites class. Sturges gave Reine a battle but ended up securing third overall and second in the XC1 class. Yamaha rider Clint Woods of Minden, Louisiana, put in an impressive ride, despite bike problems, to capture fourth overall. Gulfport, Mississippi, resident Wesley Burkes finished in fifth overall on his KTM.

"I knew getting the holeshot would be most important," Reine commented. "The competition is right there, pushing me, which helps. I'm happy to race with Woods, [Wesley] Burks, and the others. This was definitely the toughest and best race of the year so far. Thanks to the LACC Series staff for giving us the opportunity, Acadiana Racing, Cycle Gear, FMF, and I couldn't do it without my wife, Susan, and boys Ryan and Daniel."

Reed took home the $200 cash prize for the XC1 win and Reine scored $100 for the XC2 Lites win. Another $100 went to KTM rider Russ Wiggers, winner of the Junior class, which was randomly selected for that prize.

The LACC Series is promoted by www.AcadianaRacing.com and made possible by title sponsor MTA, as well as Deb's Creative Photography, Open Throttle Moto-Parts & Accessories, Performance Cycles, Powersport Grafx, KTM, City Cycles of Baton Rouge, Moose Racing, Honda of Lafayette, Billy's Inc., Jester Designs, AOK Services, Cajun Tie Downs, and Cornerstone Glass.

Results

P/W BEG: 1. Jessica De Lee (KTM); 2. William Walerius (KTM); 3. Ryan Reine (KTM).

P/W: 1. Walker Shows (KTM); 2. Hayden Colvin (Yamaha); 3. Steven Merriett Jr. (Yamaha).

KIDS INT: 1. Evan Wiggers (KTM); 2. Grant Broussard (KTM); 3. Cameron Reed (Suzuki).

KIDS VET: 1. Chase Joubert (KTM); 2. James Walerius (Yamaha); 3. Brennen Reed (Suzuki).

BEG LITES: 1. Brett Fontenot (KTM); 2. Justin King (Yamaha); 3. Jade Jacob (Yamaha).

BEG: 1. Danon O'Kelly (KTM); 2. Chad Roy (Kawasaki); 3. Adam Legassey (Yamaha).

NOV LITES: 1. Cody Thomas (KTM); 2. Chris Roberts (KTM); 3. Andrew Iverstine (KTM).

NOV: 1. Chad Colvin (KTM); 2. Dustin Harwood (Yamaha); 3. Shawn Hrubes (KTM).

XC2 EX LITES: 1. Jason Reine (KTM); 2. Clint Woods (Yamaha); 3. Wesley Burks (KTM).

XC1 EX: 1. Stephen Reed (Suzuki); 2. Stephen Sturges (KTM); 3. Andy Beebe (Suzuki).

WMN: 1. Courtney Gerald (Suzuki); 2. Julie Broussard (KTM); 3. Carolyn Reed (KTM).

JR (14-16): 1. Russ Wiggers (KTM); 2. Jake Haddox (Yamaha); 3. Peyton Alford (Suzuki).

SR 40+: 1. David Hall (KTM); 2. Edmund Herrington (KTM); 3. John De Lee (Honda).