20.09.2020
Round 4 & 5 - WORCS - September 20, 2020
DEVORE, Calif. – The 2020 World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) returned to racing over the weekend with a double header at Glen Helen Raceway to serve as rounds four and five of the nine-race series. KTM riders Taylor Robert and Dante Oliveira split the race-wins in the Pro class making it a dominant weekend for the orange brand in southern California.
With four total wins through the first five rounds, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team’s Taylor Robert remains in the championship lead but it’s not without contest from rising star Dante Oliveira, who has positioned his FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis in second overall with a series of consistent performances this season.
With a modified race format of 75 minutes plus one lap, the two-day weekend mixed things up in the Pro class. On day one, Robert got off to a second-place start aboard his KTM 450 XC-F but a crash early on caused him to lose time to the leader. He put his head down and charged to reel in the leader of Oliveira, making a strategic decision to pit opposite of Oliveira on lap seven and it paid off as he overtook the lead. However, Robert made a couple of mistakes which allowed Oliveira to get back by and from there it was a head-to-head battle to the finish. The Reigning Champion attempted to speed up his pit stop in an effort to make up some time but that proved unsuccessful as he ended up losing about 20 seconds late in the race to ultimately finish off the top step of the podium for the first time in 2020.
On day two, Robert grabbed the holeshot going up the Talladega section but he got pinched off going into the second turn and he dropped back to third. He quickly charged up to second before making his way into the lead halfway through the first lap. Despite a couple tip overs, Robert was able to maintain the lead from start to finish, besting his competition by 11 seconds for the win.
Robert: “I was cruising the whole time in that second race. Those guys were riding great, I actually went down twice during that race, which wasn’t ideal because I felt like they were hunting me down the whole time but it was a good race, definitely kept me honest, but I’m glad to be on top.”
Oliveira scored his best finish of the season on Saturday with an impressive victory over the Reigning Champion, Taylor Robert. On Sunday, the FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis rider maintained a solid second-place running before experiencing a crash that would leave his bike banged up, losing substantial time to ultimately finish third on the day.
In the Pro 2 division, FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis rider Mateo Oliveira swept both days of the double header weekend, where he now extends his points lead to 17 in the class. In Pro 2 Lites, KTM-mounted riders Thomas Dunn and Angus Riordian both enjoyed podium finishes at Glen Helen.
Rounds 6 & 7: Blythe, California – October 23-25, 2020
Round 4 Results – Saturday
Pro (MC) Results
1. Dante Oliveira, KTM
2. Taylor Robert, KTM
3. Cole Martinez, HON
Pro 2 (MC) Results
1. Mateo Oliveira, KTM
2. Tallon Lafountaine, HON
3. Carlen Gardner, BTA
Pro 2 Lights (MC) Results
1. Tyler Lynn, YAM
2. Thomas Dunn, KTM
3. Angus Riordan, KTM
Round 5 Results – Sunday
Pro (MC) Results
1. Taylor Robert, KTM
2. Austin Walton, HQV
3. Dante Oliveira, KTM
Pro 2 (MC) Results
1. Mateo Oliveira, KTM
2. Colton Aeck, HQV
3. Mason Ottersberg, YAM
Pro 2 Lights (MC) Results
1. Tyler Lynn, YAM
2. Jake Alvarez, KAW
3. Angus Riordan, KTM
Pro (MC) Championship Standings
1. Taylor Robert, 122 points
2. Dante Oliveira, 100
3. Austin Walton, 94
Pro 2 (MC) Championship Standings
1. Mateo Oliveira, 117 points
2. Tallon Lafountaine, 100
3. Mason Ottersberg, 83
Pro 2 Lights (MC) Championship Standings
1. Jake Alvarez, 101 points
2. Tyler Lynn, 100
3. Angus Riordan, 100