12.02.2018
Round 2 - AMA Big 6 GP Series - February 10, 2018
TAFT, Calif. – FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Kacy Martinez extended her podium streak to two-in-a-row on Saturday as she captured a 2nd place finish in the WCGP Women’s Pro class at Round 2 of the 2018 AMA Big 6 Grand Prix Series in Taft, California. FMF/RPM/KTM’s Eric Yorba earned his second-straight podium as well, riding to an impressive 3rd place finish in the WCGP Pro division.
FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell experienced a tough day at Round 2, beginning with the start of the WCGP Pro afternoon race. Russell got a great jump off the line aboard his KTM 450 XC-F, where he assumed a top-five position going around the first turn. However, Russell ended up running into the back of another rider, which caused him to go down just after the start and he was forced to play catch-up from the beginning.
By the end of the first lap, Russell was able to make his way from last place up to a top-ten position with his sights set on moving forward. However, Russell struggled with consistency and keeping the bike on two-wheels as he experienced several crashes throughout the day. His biggest crash of the day came with two laps to go and from there, the five-time GNCC National Champion focused on salvaging the day as best he could, ultimately finishing 9th overall. Despite the challenges, Russell proved that he has the speed, fitness and outlook to become a contender in his first full season of Big 6 GP racing.
Russell: “I was riding really good, I just had quite a few crashes throughout the day and that kind of kept me in the same spot between 7th and 11th. I was making up ground each time but never could put a dent in anything because I kept going down. I ended up having a big crash with two laps to go and after that I just kind of rode in because it took the wind out of the sails with that last one.”
Yorba put forth another consistent effort at Round 2 as he maintained a top-three position for a majority of the race. At the end of nine laps, Yorba finished only two seconds back from a 2nd place finish.
In the WCGP Women’s Pro class, Martinez put her KTM 250 XC-F into the 3rd place position off the start but a pair of crashes on the opening lap set her back from the leader early on. Martinez eventually worked her way into the 2nd place position by lap two, where she set her sights on catching the leader, KTM-support rider Brandy Richards.
Despite a hard charge throughout the eight-lap race, Martinez wasn’t able to catch Richards for the lead position. Thus, Richards secured her first victory of the season, followed by Martinez in 2nd place.
Martinez: “I didn’t have the greatest start nor first lap with going down twice in just that first lap! From there, I put my head down to really focus on the rough, beat-up course. I quickly caught 2nd place and pulled but I struggled a bit with line choices out there. Overall I’m happy to come away with a podium and on to the next round!”
Round 2: March 3-4 / Glen Helen Raceway / Devore, California
WCGP Pro Results
1. Zach Bell, HQV, 1:41:14 (9 laps)
2. Dalton Shirey, HQV, 1:41:40
3. Eric Yorba, KTM, 1:41:42
4. Justin Jones, HON, 1:42:24
5. Justin Seeds, KAW, 1:42:44
OTHER KTM
9. Kailub Russell, KTM, 1:44:06
WCGP Women Pro Results
1. Brandy Richards, KTM, 1:43:56 (8 laps)
2. Kacy Martinez, KTM, 1:48:32 (8 laps)
3. Lauren Woods, KTM, 1:43:05 (7 laps)