| January 25, 2022
The 2022 Rocky Mountain ATV-MC WORCS season has begun, with round one being held at the Buffalo Bills Resort in Primm, Nevada, January 22-23. Dante Oliveira, aboard his Red Bull Factory KTM, took the 450 Pro-class win. But it was not without a hard push by Cole Martinez.
Story and Photos by Connor Moore
Mateo Oliveira, riding his RPM Racing KTM, won the 250 Pro class, while Collier Martinez topped the Pro-Am class after the grueling two-hour race.
The WORCS crew put together a long 6.8-mile course with an intense pro rock section that made for quite the brutal race.
Dante Oliveira, hot off his 2021 WORCS championship, was ready to battle and show the fellow competitors he is here to stay. The Red Bull Factory KTM rider was fast off the line pulling a sizable holeshot over a stacked field of other pro riders.
“I pulled the holeshot and from there was able to ride my race, the guys behind me had some battles and it allowed me to do my own thing,” said Oliveira.
Dante Olivera stayed in first the entire race but not without a hard push from Slam Life Racing Honda rider Cole Martinez. The duo of Oliveira and Martinez checked out from their competitors with the two far ahead from the rest of the pack. Martinez slowly reeled in Oliveira leading up to a last-lap battle that kept the crowd on their feet while watching them come into the infield right behind each other, Martinez just barely unable to get the pass around him.
“I really wanted to get the win here in Primm,” said Martinez, “that would have been three in a row here for me, but it’s cool we have more races to go.”
Third place had some last-lap theatrics as well, with Austin Walton going down in the pro section, allowing Trevor Stewart to pass him on the final lap.
Stewart ran a great pace on his new ride with Purvines Racing Yamaha and was able to put it on the podium.
In 250 Pro, Mateo Oliveira, like his brother, took the win in dominant fashion. “We both got off to a holeshot and led every lap, which is pretty ideal to get it rolling like that,” said Mateo.
Mateo took off from the start line and put on a blistering pace that kept him far ahead of his competitors.
Straight from Down Under, Jack Simpson, racing for SLR Honda, landed second place in what was his first Rocky Mountain ATV-MC WORCS Pro race. “I struggled to find my lines the first two or three laps but after that, I started to close the gap but just didn’t have enough time. I’m fairly new on this bike and this type of racing so I’m happy to be where I am right now,” said Simpson.
Thomas Dunn of the Purvines Racing Team took third place after a few battles with Simpson. “I got slowed down pretty bad in the rocks and saw that he was pretty far ahead again,” said Dunn. “So I took my time and played it safe and brought home a third instead of a seventh which is pretty good.”
SLR Honda rider Collier Martinez takes home the win in Pro-Am. Brandy Richards was in the lead after the first lap, but Martinez kept his head down and ended up making the pass for the lead and didn’t let it go.
Richards, the 2021 Pro-Am Champion, held onto second place after a quick fall in the rock section. “I am happy to be able to leave here healthy with a few podiums and ready for the rest of the year,” she remarked.
Third place was held by Drake Hacker who rode a steady pace.
On Saturday, The Women’s pro class took to the track and Brandy Richards, on her Elite Racing KTM, took home the win with Lauren Woods and Mica Diaz joining her on the podium. Richards pulled the holeshot and set sail from there putting a big gap between her and the rest of the field.CN
450 PRO
- Dante Oliveira (KTM)
- Cole Martinez (Hon)
- Trevor Stewart (Yam)
- Tyler Lynn (Kaw)
- Austin Walton (Hus)
250 PRO
- Mateo Oliveira (KTM)
- Jack Simpson (Hon)
- Thomas Dunn (Yam)
- Justin Seeds (Yam)
- Chase Larson (KTM)