GEISMAR, LA

More than 500 people gathered under ideal weather conditions at Defying Gravity MX in Geismar, Louisiana, for round three of the Louisiana Cross Country Series. The ground conditions were a little dry, but that didn't stop Trampas Parker, Stephen Sturges and Andy Beebe from setting a blistering pace en route to becoming the top three overall.

The XC1 Expert class was led around the first turn by Suzuki City/ThermoProbe/Klim-sponsored Stephen Sturges (below, left) of New Orleans. By the end of the first lap, KTM/Munn Racing/TCP MX Schools' Trampas Parker (below, center) was in the lead, with Sturges close behind, only three seconds back. Parker went on to lead all nine laps of the race and take the overall victory and the majority of the $500 cash purse. But don't count Sturges out for future round wins, as he was only 40 seconds back at the end of the day. KTM rider Chad Colvin was running with the lead pack early on but eventually T-boned a tree while attempting a pass on a lapper and admittedly tired out a bit toward the end of the race. Adrenaline Motorsports/Hutchinson ATV/Scott Equipment-backed KTM rider Andy Beebe (below, right) of Alexandria, Louisiana, worked his way up from sixth place to third XC1 rider and third overall, once again proving he's also a title contender.

Colvin eventually fell back to sixth place, while MTA/Bridgestone-backed KTM jockey Jonathan Plunkett and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, motocross talent Broc Andre rounded out the top five in the XC1 class. After three of 10 rounds, Parker holds the points lead, with Plunkett in second and Beebe in third. The 2009 overall champion, Suzuki rider Stephen Reed, sat out this race due to an injured shoulder that occurred at round one.

Great racing also took place in the XC2 Expert Lites class, with 2009 and defending champion Jason Reine (above, left) taking the holeshot. Alabama's Steve Nicholas was able to muscle by the Enduro Engineering-backed Reine and led for the first two laps until a crash on the third lap ended any hopes for a podium finish. Meanwhile, their fellow KTM rider, Chuck's Used Appliance/Performance Cycles-backed Ryan Breaux (above, center), put the hammer down, zapped Reine on the second lap, and led the class for the final seven laps of the race, showing a lot of speed, endurance and determination.

Young XC2 Lites rookie and 2009 Kids Vet-class champion Evan Shows (above, right, and 99, below) gradually picked off riders one by one, working his way from seventh place all the way up to third. The Mike's Cycle/Answer/Scott-sponsored, KTM-mounted Shows was very excited with his first podium finish in the class and expressed a sincere thank-you to the folks at Mike's Cycle in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for their help and encouragement.

Another young XC2 Lites-class rookie, Eagle Creek Endeavors-backed KTM rider Russ Wiggers, captured fourth place, and Mike's Outdoors' KTM rider Clint Woods put in a great ride for a fifth-place finish; both earning valuable year-end points.

These expert riders and many more were able to show off their riding skills for the spectators on the optional Moose Racing Tire Jump, the optional Pierce & Shows Log Crossing (above), a fun motocross track, three long grass-tracks, and an open/fast trail section. With a large turnout, starting lines were packed and competition was tight in all of the classes. As always, look for action-packed pictures and videos on AcadianaRacing.com!

The MTA Louisiana Cross-Country Series is a 10-round championship series promoted by AcadianaRacing.com. Venues test each rider's overall skills by offering motocross sections, hills, roots, occasional rocks, woods trails, grass-tracks, extreme obstacles, and more. In addition to pure speed, riders must have the endurance to push hard for more than an hour and a half. The series is made possible by title sponsor MTA, Deb's Creative Photography, Enduro Engineering, Filter Solution, Pierce & Shows Attorneys, Moose Racing, Woods Tank, RidePG.com, BMW/Husqvarna, Bayou Suspension, KTM, Chuck's Used Appliance Center, Honda of Lafayette, MXPrints.com, Performance Cycles, Open Throttle Moto-Parts & Accessories, Adrenaline Motor Sports, Team 3/4, Cornerstone Glass, and Evangeline Specialties.

Results

O/A: 1. Trampas Parker (KTM); 2. Stephen Sturges (Suz); 3. Andy Beebe (KTM); 4. Jonathan Plunkett (KTM); 5. Ryan Breaux (KTM); 6. Broc Andre (Yam); 7. Jason Reine (KTM); 8. Evan Shows (KTM); 9. Russ Wiggers (KTM); 10. Clint Woods (KTM)

XC1: 1. Trampas Parker (KTM); 2. Stephen Sturges (Suz); 3. Andy Beebe (KTM); 4. Jonathan Plunkett (KTM); 5. Broc Andre (Yam).

XC2: 1. Ryan Breaux (KTM); 2. Jason Reine (KTM); 3. Evan Shows (KTM); 4. Russ Wiggers (KTM); 5. Clint Woods (KTM).

NOV: 1. Lance Ford (Suz); 2. Christopher Roberts (KTM); 3. Chris Murphy (Suz); 4. Andrew Iverstine (KTM); 5. Daniel Cross (Yam).

NOV LITE: 1. Jake Haddox (Yam); 2. Tyler Mandino (Yam); 3. Brett Fontenot (KTM); 4. Stephen Breaux (KTM); 5. Jared Henden (Yam).

SR A: 1. Al Cravens (KTM); 2. Kelly Crenshaw (KTM); 3. Jeff Plunkett (KTM); 4. Mark Jamroz (BMW); 5. John Delee (Hon).

JR: 1. Hutton Woods (Yam); 2. Chase Joubert (KTM); 3. Joseph Bardwell (Hon); 4. Justin Peltier (Hon); 5. Kaylon Guedry (Hon).

BEG: 1. Cody Forbes (Yam); 2. Adam Pelletier (KTM); 3. Eduardo Sanchez (Suz); 4. Ray Buchert (Suz); 5. Matthew Coffin (Kaw).

BEG LITE: 1. Zach Rambin (Yam); 2. Zach Lowe (Hon); 3. Brian Griffith (Hon); 4. Richard Howard (Yam); 5. Eric Bartucci (Yam).

SR B: 1. Clayton Parker (Yam); 2. Hubbard Partridge (KTM); 3. Robin Fair (Yam); 4. Frank Nugent (KTM); 5. Lee Jay Haddox (Yam).

SR 50+: 1. Donny Graham (KTM); 2. Kenneth Hagen (Hon); 3. Mike Elshout (Hon); 4. Jimmy Winn (Kaw); 5. Pat Labiche (KTM).

KIDS VET: 1. Logan Matherne (Kaw); 2. Cannon Shirah (KTM); 3. Brennen Reed (Suz); 4. Garrett Wells (KTM); 5. James Walerius (Kaw).

KIDS INT: 1. Evan Wiggers (KTM); 2. Cameron Reed (Suz); 3. Dayton Nicholas (KTM); 4. Noah Shaw (Kaw); 5. Justin Eaton (KTM).

WMN: 1. Courtney Gerald (Suz); 2. Sheila Monk (KTM); 3. Aspen Neely (KTM); 4. Carolyn Reed (KTM); 5. Chandler Haddox (Yam).

P/W: 1. Walker Shows (KTM); 2. Jessica Delee (KTM); 3. Tyler Thomas (Cob); 4. Easton Worley (Cob); 5. Allyson Ingo.

P/W BEG: 1. Nicholas Walerius (KTM); 2. Grayson Knight (KTM); 3. Zorion McClarty (KTM); 4. Ryan Reine (KTM); 5. William Walerius (KTM).