The 50th running of the Mini O’s ran its course at the famous Gatorback Cycle Park. This Thanksgiving tradition draws amateur motocross racers from across the globe for an action-packed week of racing.
Photography by Rob Koy
The Mini O’s format is a unique one, with a Supercross and Motocross Championship on the line for each class. A record-breaking turnout of approximately 6000 entries lined up for the 2021 event, but it was the close racing from the sport’s rising stars that highlighted the event.
Star Racing Yamaha’s Nick Romano proved to be the man to beat in Supercross, as he swept all four motos of the 250cc and 450cc Pro Sport divisions. As a result, Romano came away with the prestigious Dunlop Silver Tire Award, given to the rider in the Pro and A classes that accumulates the highest number of points in the Supercross main and Motocross overall combined.
Yamaha-mounted Gavin Towers and Matt LeBlanc grabbed podium spots in the 250 class, while the Hondas of Chance Hymas and Luke Kalaitzian took medals in 450.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Talon Hawkins dominated the 250 A Supercross Championship with wins in both motos. Gavin Towers (Yamaha) and Chance Hymas (Honda) again claimed second and third, respectively. Both Towers and Hymas are new recruits to their teams, Rock River Yamaha for Towers and Honda HRC for Hymas, and proved their worth in multiple classes.
Another must-watch class was the B division. Evan Ferry (Husqvarna), Gage Linville (Yamaha), and Julien Beaumer (Yamaha) went 1-2-3 in 250 B Supercross, with Linville, Noah Smerdon (KTM) and Bryce Shelly (Yamaha) topping the 250 B Limited field.
Haiden Deegan made his debut with the Star Racing Yamaha team and grabbed the Supercross title in 450 B ahead of Ferry and Daxton Bennick (KTM).
Gage Linville stood on top again in 450 B Limited, with Nate Mason (KTM) and Tanner Scott (Husqvarna) rounding out the top three.
Tiger Wood (KTM) swept the Supermini 1 (12-15) class with 1-1 finishes ahead of Husqvarna-mounted Tyler Mollet and Will Canaguier. Wood ended up collecting the Pro Circuit Platinum Pipe and Bronze Boot Awards for most overall points in Supercross and Motocross.
Supermini 2 (13-16) belonged to Tyler Mollet.
Once all the titles were handed out in Supercross, the event moved to Gatorback’s motocross track for a second round of championships. The familiar motocross setting offered rolling elevation changes and rough track conditions.
Romano dominated once again, taking three more Motocross titles in 250 A, 250 Pro Sport, and 450 Pro Sport classes. Romano succeeded in solidifying his name over the past few seasons and certainly announced that he is one of, if not the, hottest amateurs on the circuit right now.
Honda’s Chance Hymas followed Romano in all three classes, taking three runner-up finishes on the week. Brandon Scharer (Yamaha) grabbed third overall in 250 Pro Sport with Cody Groves (KTM) claiming the last podium in the 450 division.
Linville was the man on the move for the B class Motocross titles. Consistency paid off for the Yamaha rider who claimed four titles in the 250 and 450cc Stock and Modified classes and came away with the Scott Goggle Award, which is handed out to the rider in the 250 and 450, B and C classes who accumulates the highest number of points in the Supercross main and Motocross overall combined. Riders like Daxton Bennick finished a close second in multiple motos while crashes for Deegan held him back from the top step of the podium.
Kawasaki’s Krystian Janik found his stride on the motocross track and came away with a title in the Supermini 1 category. His biggest opponent of the week was Wood (KTM), who settled for second in Supermini 1 but went on to win the Supermini 2 Championship.
Canyon Richards took home the Engine Ice Cool Under Pressure Award after finishing a moto with broken spokes and eventually claiming three titles on the week. CN
50th Thor Mini O’s Presented By Pro Circuit Results
MOTOCROSS
250 Pro Sport
- Nick Romano (Yam)
- Chance Hymas (Hon)
- Brandon Scharer (Yam)
- Matt LeBlanc (Yam)
- Gavin Towers (Yam)
450 Pro Sport
- Nick Romano (Yam)
- Chance Hymas (Hon)
- Cody Groves (KTM)
- Heath Harrison (Hon)
- Matt LeBlanc (Yam)
SUPERCROSS
250 Pro Sport
- Nick Romano (Yam)
- Gavin Towers (Yam)
- Matt LeBlanc (Yam)
- Brandon Scharer (Yam)
- Christopher Blackmer (Hus)
450 Pro Sport
- Nick Romano (Yam)
- Chance Hymas (Hon)
- Luke Kalaitzian (Hon)
- Kimble Jett (KTM)
- Heath Harrison (Hon)
Click here to read the 50th Thor Mini O’s article in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
Click here for all the latest Supercross and Motocross news.
