Cycle News Staff | May 9, 2023
The racers of the Rocky Mountain ATV-MC WORCS gathered for the fifth round of the season at Glen Helen Raceway, May 6-7, which marked the halfway point of the series. Mateo Oliveira came away with the overall and 450cc Pro class wins. It was his first career victory aboard the 450, and he became the fourth different winner of the five-race-old championship.
The 250cc Pro class, however, saw Kade Tinkler-Walker win for the third consecutive time, while Hayden Flores topped the Pro-Am class. Saturday’s racing saw Travis Damon win the 125cc Pro division and Kaitlyn Jacobs the Women’s Pro field.
The racers agreed the Glen Helen racecourse was challenging and fun. Pro racers Tyler Lynn, said, “It was great to go from the fast off-road track to [Pro section], as it completely switched up the race, and it was the most technical Pro section we have had.”
Trevor Stewart grabbed the holeshot and led for most of the first lap. He fell, allowing Oliveira to grab the lead before heading into the Pro section on the first lap. Once Oliveira had clean air, he was on a mission, putting in strong laps one after the other while slowly breaking away from the rest of the pack.
“I had the biggest smile on my face, I knew this was my weekend, and I told myself before I left the house to get it done!” Oliveira said.
Behind him, a battle of the Precision Concepts Kawasaki riders was brewing, as Lynn and Zach Bell found themselves next to each other, going back and forth at least once. Bell said the last 30 minutes or so, he had to back off, as it was a brutal course on his healing wrist, so it was a risk management scenario. Both riders ended up on the podium, with Lynn in second and Bell in third.
In 250 Pro, Jake Alvarez was in front early, leading the first two laps, as he and Walker battled before Walker got around him right before the Pro section. Once past, Walker checked out aboard his SLR Honda and went on to take the win.
“This was definitely my type of track, I loved the rocky and single-track sections, and it was suited to my strong points,” Walker said.
Jack Simpson, on his Purvines Racing Yamaha, lost much of his rear brake but still passed Alvarez for second place to maintain his class championship lead. Alvarez (RPM FMF KTM) was still happy to get on the podium in third.
Hayden Florez dominated the Pro-Am race, letting everyone fight it out for second, which ended up going to GasGas rider Dustyn Davis in what was his first Pro-Am race since moving up from the Expert ranks. Mason Decunzo was third.
On Saturday, Travis Damon (Yamaha) and Tristun Alvarez (KTM) always give the fans a show when they line up next to each other for the 125 Pro race. Alvarez grabbed the holeshot, but Damon had the lead by the end of the lap. Damon went on to take the win over Alvarez. Yamaha rider Quentin Pahi rounded out the podium.
Connor Moore
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