Factory Beta rider regains control of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship with big win in Salt Lake City. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DREW RUIZ
In its first-ever stop in Salt Lake City, the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series delivered another thriller, and after some hard luck, some extremely slippery conditions, and a little confusion in the main event, it was Factory Beta’s Cody Webb on the top step of the podium. The GEICO/Stillwell Performance-backed rider chased down factory Husqvarna’s Mike Brown for the early lead, and opened up a wide gap on the field. It appeared Webb was going to sail to victory, but due to some confusion with the finish line flagging, he nearly ended his race early. Webb paused for a fist-pump after the 12th lap, thinking the race was over (due to the short lap times, the main event was stretched to 15 laps). Fortunately, Webb’s gap over second was big enough that he wasn’t in danger of losing the lead, and he completed three more laps to claim his second victory of the season.
Second place went to defending champion Taddy Blazusiak. The Red Bull KTM rider found his way around Brown midway through the race to secure the runner-up position ahead of fellow factory KTM rider Taylor Robert, who finally got onto the podium. Robert was thrilled to finally break through, but his success meant that one of the three battling for the championship did not finish in the usual top-three.
JCR Honda’s Colton Haaker had a rough night in Salt Lake City. The Lucas Oil/Rockstar Energy rider had an uphill battle in the main event after tangling with another rider on the opening lap. Haaker’s CRF450R was trapped underneath the other bike, and before he knew it, the entire pack was already down the next straight by the time he got going. Despite his best efforts, Haaker could only muster a fifth-place finish, which now sets him behind Webb and Blazusiak in points.
Mike Brown tried to fend off Robert to claim his first podium of the season, but had to settle for fourth in Salt Lake. Brown’s race started off on the right foot, as he collected the Nexen Holeshot in the main event. Despite missing the podium, Brown was still glad to see his results improving, as he admits things are moving in the right direction.
Factory Beta/Stillwell Performance rider Max Gerston finished sixth followed by Ty Tremaine, Nick Thompson and Bobby Prochnau with Geoff Aaron rounding out the top-10.
The results in Salt Lake helped Cody Webb take an important step forward in the championship. Along with 25 points for the win, Webb collected two extra points for his heat race win and his Hot Lap victory. He now sits three points ahead of Blazusiak in the championship, with Haaker now a disappointing 10 points out of the lead.
In the Women’s class, Husqvarna’s Sandra Gomez had a breakthrough ride, capturing her first-ever AMA EnduroCross win. The Spaniard was thrilled to take her first victory after battling Red Bull-backed Tarah Gieger for the early lead. After getting out front, Gomez kept it steady to capture her first win ahead of defending champion Chantelle Bykerk and Rachel Gutish. Gieger would go on to finish fourth ahead of Lexi Pechout, who rounded out the top-five.
Salt Lake City AMA EnduroCross Main Event Results:
1. Cody Webb (Bet)
2. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
3. Taylor Robert (KTM)
4. Mike Brown (Hus)
5. Colton Haaker (Hon)
6. Max Gerston (Bet)
7. Ty Tremaine (KTM)
8. Nick Thompson (KTM)
9. Bobby Prochnau (KTM)
10. Geoff Aaron (KTM)
11. Noah Kepple (KTM)
12. Cory Graffunder (KTM)
13. Wally Palmer (Chr)
AMA EnduroCross Championship Points:
1. Cody Webb (143/2 wins)
2. Taddy Blazusiak (140/2 wins)
3. Colton Haaker (133/2 wins)
4. Taylor Robert (107)
5. Max Gerston (80)
6. Mike Brown (76)
7. Cory Graffunder (74)
8. Bobby Prochnau (68)
9. (TIE) Geoff Aaron/Ty Tremaine (67)
