01.06.2020
KTM-MOUNTED RIDER DANTE OLIVEIRA CLAIMS RUNNER-UP
Round 3 - WORCS - June 1, 2020
MESQUITE, Nev. – FMF KTM Factory Racing Team’s Taylor Robert pulled off another flag-to-flag victory on Sunday at Round 3 of the 2020 World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) in Mesquite, Nevada as the west coast series joined the growing list of disciplines that have made their return to racing. Additionally, FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis rider Dante Oliveira put forth a great performance to earn his second podium finish of the season in second.
With temperatures reaching over the 100-degree mark, the extreme heat proved to be an added element to the already physically demanding race course. Robert knew what he was in for as he powered his KTM 450 XC-F into the early lead on the opening lap. The Reigning Champion took advantage of a clear track ahead as he slowly broke away from the pack in the opening laps to give himself over a one-minute lead by the halfway point. He continued with a nearly flawless performance in the final hour of racing to ultimately finish more than two minutes ahead of the second-place rider after 14 laps of racing.
Robert: “I knew it was going to be a hot race and super physically demanding because the track is really sandy and tough. I got out front early on and set my own pace. I rode really strong and didn’t make any major mistakes the whole time so I was slowly able to inch my way away from the rest of the guys. It felt good to get back to racing and pick it up where I left off before the break in racing.”
Oliveira got off to a great start as he tucked into third on the opening lap. He battled from the third-place spot for the first six laps until he made his move into second on lap seven. From there, he worked hard to chip away at Robert’s lead but it was a pace that couldn’t be matched and Oliveira finished 2:22 back for a solid second-place.
In the Pro 2 division, FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis rider Mateo Oliveira secured the class victory with KTM-mounted rider Austin Serpa in third. In Pro 2 Lites, KTM-mounted riders Will and Angus Riordian rounded out the class podium with second and third-place, respectively.
Round 4: Wickenburg, Arizona – June 12-14, 2020
Pro (MC) Results – Round 3
1. Taylor Robert, KTM, 01:54:04.144
2. Dante Oliveira, KTM, +02:22.230
3. Cole Martinez, HON, +03:51.580
Pro 2 (MC) Results – Round 3
1. Mateo Oliveira, KTM
2. Tallon Lafountaine, HON
3. Austin Serpa, KTM
Pro 2 Lights (MC) Results – Round 3
1. Jake Alvarez, KAW
2. Will Riordan, KTM
3. Angus Riordan, KTM
Pro (MC) Championship Standings
1. Taylor Robert, 75 points
2. Dante Oliveira, 55
3. Cole Martinez, 53
Pro 2 (MC) Championship Standings
1. Mateo Oliveira, 67 points
2. Tallon Lafountaine, 62
3. Austin Serpa, 55
Pro 2 Lights (MC) Championship Standings
1. Jake Alvarez, 65 points
2. Angus Riordan, 62
3. Will Riordan, 56