02.10.2023

FMF KTM FACTORY RACING’S DANTE OLIVEIRA CLINCHES 2023 NGPC PRO CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP WITH RIDGECREST VICTORY

Round 8 – AMA National Grand Prix Championship
This press release has: 7 Images
RIDGECREST, Calif. – FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Dante Oliveira has made it four-straight AMA National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) victories after clinching the 2023 Pro Class title at Ridgecrest's penultimate round of the season on Sunday, charging to a fifth win of the year in what has marked a dominant title defense once again.
In taking the lead on the opening lap, defending champion Oliveira powered his KTM 450 XC-F across the tough terrain of the Californian desert, holding first place for the duration of the seven-lap affair and fending off multiple challenges from behind. In true championship form, Oliveira crossed the finish line in P1 and sealed the 2023 NGPC Pro Class title in the process.

Of the rounds contested to date in 2023, the number one has collected a strong haul of five overall race victories and has finished off the podium on only one occasion. With that, Oliveira captured the championship with one round to spare and in convincing fashion.

Dante Oliveira: "Today was epic! We had a lot of time between races, so I couldn’t have been more stoked to get back out there and send it. It was a super-fast race, we were on the edge the whole time, and for whatever reason Ridgecrest always brings the best out in everyone, so the battles are so gnarly. My fitness was great today and shoutout to the whole FMF KTM Factory Racing Team, I’m stoked to get the championship with them, and now let’s go fight for this last one in Havasu!"

Pro Class rookie and FMF KTM Factory Racing teammate Mateo Oliveira positioned himself well on the opening lap at Ridgecrest, sitting in sixth place as the race began, before a race-long battle saw him eventually charge to a hard-fought P9 finish as the checkered flag waved.

With his Ridgecrest result, the younger of the Oliveira brothers sits eighth place in the NGPC Pro Class standings with one round remaining in Arizona.

Mateo Oliveira: "Not a bad weekend here for the NGPC Series. The result is a little off where I expect it to be, but there are positives to take away from here... My opening laps were strong and my body felt good for the whole duration of the race. We’ll go back now, regroup with my trainer and work harder, and continue building to close the gap to the front. My motivation levels are super-high and I can’t wait to finish the series off strong."

The weekend also saw a class victory for 2022 Pro Women’s champion, Brandy Richards, who made it two-from-two wins following her return to action from injury. Next in line, Mikayla Nielsen secured a 1-2 finish for the KTM-mounted riders, finishing P2 in class.

Round 9: Lake Havasu, Arizona – October 13-15, 2023

Results: Round 9

Pro Results
1. Dante Oliveira, KTM
2. Austin Walton, HQV
3. Justin Hoeft, YAM
OTHER KTM
9. Mateo Oliveira, KTM

Pro Standings
1. Dante Oliveira, 202 points
2. Ryan Surratt, 160
3. Austin Walton, 154
OTHER KTM
8. Mateo Oliveira, 97

Pro Women Results
1. Brandy Richards, KTM
2. Mikayla Nielsen, KTM
3. Ava Silvestri, GAS
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Images (7)

DANTE OLIVEIRA - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Mark Kariya
DANTE OLIVEIRA 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Mark Kariya
DANTE OLIVEIRA 03 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Mark Kariya
DANTE OLIVEIRA 04 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Mark Kariya
MATEO OLIVEIRA - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Mark Kariya
MATEO OLIVEIRA 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Mark Kariya
MATEO OLIVEIRA 03 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Mark Kariya

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