History Made with First Ever Mini-E Electric Bike Moto at the National Championship
HURRICANE MILLS, Tenn. (August 5, 2020) – After an exciting opening day of action to drop the gate on the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, the flurry of racing continued into Wednesday as 23 motos took to the track at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. An uptick in humidity tested the fitness of competitors, and gave way to even more compelling battles for victory.
With many of the most prominent classes at Loretta Lynn’s competing on Day 2, it provided an opportunity for some of amateur motocross’ stars of the future to step into the spotlight and put their talents on display.
250 Pro Sport
The first moto in this class saw BarX/Chaparral/Suzuki’s Dilan Schwartz take the win, which gave him some much needed momentum entering Moto 2. However, Wednesday provided a much different experience for Schwartz, who found himself buried deep in the top 20 on the opening lap.
With Schwartz out of the picture, Yamaha/Rock River/bLU cRU Amateur Motocross Team rider Mason Gonzales and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Stilez Robertson positioned themselves at the front of the field, ahead of Husqvarna rider Jace Kessler.
Just like the first moto, Gonzales pulled the STACYC Holeshot and jumped out to the early lead, which he maintained for a couple laps before Robertson made the pass and seized control of the race. Once out front, Robertson dropped a trio of fast laps in the 1:50 range to build an insurmountable advantage. He took the checkered flag nearly 7.5 seconds ahead of Gonzales, while BarX/Chaparral/Suzuki’s Preston Kilroy made an impressive charge from eighth to third to grab the final spot on the podium. Despite an 18th-place start, Schwartz made an impressive climb to fifth to keep his title hopes alive.
After two motos, Robertson leads the way in the overall classification, with Gonzales second and Schwartz third.
250 Pro Sport Moto 2 Results
- Stilez Robertson, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna
- Mason Gonzales, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Yamaha
- Preston Kilroy, Afton, Wyo., Suzuki
- Jace Kessler, Eagle, Mich., Husqvarna
- Dilan Schwartz, Alpine, Calif., Suzuki
Open Pro Sport
The Open Pro division made its 2020 Loretta’s debut on Wednesday with its first of three motos in a field that includes both 250cc and 450cc motorcycles. Many of the most recognizable names from other divisions converged in the Open class, setting the stage for a hotly contested battle for the title.
Leading the way in the opening moto were the same trio of familiar faces that have set the tone in 250 Pro Sport – Stilez Robertson, Mason Gonzales, and Dilan Schwartz. As the gate dropped to start Moto 1, it was none other than Gonzales who jumped out to the early lead over the KTMs of Vinny Luhovey, who earned the STACYC Holeshot, and Robby Marshall. Robertson completed the opening lap in fifth, while Schwartz was buried in 16th.
While Gonzales looked to build a gap on the field, Robertson was on a determined charge forward and moved into second place on Lap 2. With the lead in his sights, Robertson made a charge to catch and pass Gonzales and take over the top spot a quarter of the way through the moto. As the lead changed hands, Schwartz was completing an incredible charge through the field that saw him move into podium position in third.
Robertson rode consistent laps through to the finish, and while Gonzales kept him honest, the Husqvarna rider successfully captured his second moto win of the day, just over two seconds ahead of Gonzales. Schwarts brought home a well-earned third.
Open Pro Sport Moto 1 Results
- Stilez Robertson, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna
- Mason Gonzales, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Yamaha
- Dilan Schwartz, Alpine, Calif., Suzuki
- Preston Kilroy, Afton, Wyo., Suzuki
- Vincent Luhovey Jr., Greensburg, Pa., KTM
Schoolboy 1 (12-17) B/C
Fresh off a decisive win in the 125cc B/C division on Tuesday, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Max Vohland entered Wednesday’s first moto of Schoolboy 1 B/C brimming with confidence. He was expected to be challenged by the class’ other highly touted prospect, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Talon Hawkins, who was unable to get in the mix during Tuesday’s race
When the racing got underway, it was JT Motorsports KTM’s Gage Stine who emerged with the STACYC Holeshot and the early lead, with Hawkins and Vohland in tow. Stine was impressive in the opening laps, and benefitted from the battle between Hawkins and Vohland for second, which Vohland soon took over. It wasn’t long before Vohland continued his forward progression and made the pass for the lead, bringing Hawkins along with him into second. Once he positioned himself out front, Vohland’s pace was too much for Hawkins and he eventually carried on to his second moto win of the week by a double-digit margin over Hawkins, with Yamaha/Rock River/bLU cRU Amateur Motocross Team rider Larry Reyes Jr. rounding out the podium.
Schoolboy 1 (12-17) B/C Moto 1 Results
- Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM
- Talon Hawkins, Temecula, Calif., Husqvarna
- Larry Reyes Jr., Houston, Texas, Yamaha
- Gage Stine, Woodsboro, Md., KTM
- Crockett Myers, Navasota, Texas, KTM
Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C
When the Schoolboy 2 B/C class rolled onto the line for its first moto it featured many of the same top-tier competitors from 250 B, including Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Jett Reynolds and Chance Hymas, Monster Energy/Star/Yamaha Racing’s Nick Romano, and KTM Orange Brigade’s Nate Thrasher.
Out of the gate it was Romano who grabbed the STACYC Holeshot, but the Kawasaki of Reynolds moved into the lead to control the moto, leaving Romano and Hymas to give chase. The clear track proved to be a huge advantage for Reynolds as he established a comfortable lead by the end of the opening lap. Hymas was all over Romano and successfully made the pass for second. He then set his sights on his Team Green teammate.
Hymas applied heavy pressure on Reynolds, and even showed a wheel in some corners, but as they navigated through lappers Reynolds was much more efficient, and it helped prevent Hymas from attempting a pass. Even with Hymas just a few bike lengths behind throughout the entirety of the moto, Reynolds maintained his composure and brought home the moto win by three seconds over Hymas. The final spot on the podium went to Thrasher, who overcame a 14th-place start to make a torrid charge through the field and get by Romano in the closing laps.
Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C Moto 1 Results
- Jett Reynolds, Bakersfield, Calif., Kawasaki
- Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Kawasaki
- Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., KTM
- Nicholas Romano, Bayside, N.Y., Yamaha
- Wyatt Liebeck, New Franken, Wis., KTM
450 B
After storming to victory in the opening 250 B moto on Tuesday, Monster Energy/Star/Yamaha Racing’s Matt Leblanc was left feeling a little bittersweet with a third-place finish in 450 B. On Wednesday he returned to the track in search of redemption aboard the large displacement machine, and was successful in doing so.
After starting second behind SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts/Honda’s Luke Kalaitzian, who earned his second STACYC Holeshot, Leblanc hounded his rival for the lead, resulting in a captivating head-to-head fight between the two that carried on through the first half of the moto. Leblanc’s persistence finally paid off just past the halfway point when he was able to make the winning pass and carry on to his second moto win of the week by almost four seconds. Deep South Kawasaki’s Luca Marsalisi, who won the Moto 1, followed in third after starting 12th.
Leblanc and Marsalisi now sit tied atop the overall classification after two motos, with Kalaitzian in third.
450 B Moto 2 Results
- Matthew Leblanc, Breaux Bridge, La., Yamaha
- Luke Kalaitzian, Sun Valley, Calif., Honda
- Luca Marsalisi, Yonkers, N.Y., Kawasaki
- Matthew Curler, Wills Point, Texas, KTM
- Cole Bradford, Tampa, Fla., Honda
Supermini 1 (12-15)
After starting off his week with a victory in the opening moto of Supermini 2 on Tuesday, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Ryder Difrancesco was back in action on Wednesday for the first moto of Supermini 1. Once again Difrancesco would be forced to contend with fellow Team Green rider Gavin Towers as well as KTM rider Ben Garib.
Out of the gate Difrancesco gave himself the advantage he was looking for by racing to the STACYC Holeshot, which put him at the head of the pack just ahead of Towers and Garib. The lead trio were in a class of their own and each solidified their hold on each respective position. Difrancesco consistently added to his advantage and went on to claim a decisive moto victory by just over eight seconds on Towers, while Garib rounded out the top three.
Supermini 1 (12-15) Moto 1 Results
- Ryder Difrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Kawasaki
- Gavin Towers, Venetia, Pa., Kawasaki
- Benjamin Garib, Chile, KTM
- Evan Ferry, Dade City, Fla., Husqvarna
- Jayden Clough, Elko, Minn., KTM
Mini Sr. 2 (13-15)
After a perfect start to his 2020 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship on Tuesday with a pair of moto wins, KTM Orange Brigade’s Haiden Deegan was looking to keep his undefeated streak intact on Wednesday for the second moto of Mini Sr. 2. While he had to work a little harder for his success on Day 2, it was more of the same from the second generation racer.
While Deegan came away with the STACY Holeshot to start Moto 2, he was passed and forced to settle for third on the opening lap. Highly motivated, he methodically worked his way into second, passing Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Krystian Janik, and was there to take advantage of a miscue by the leader, Triangle Cycles/bLU cRU/Yamaha’s Logan Best. Once out front, Deegan checked out on the field and easily raced to his third moto win, and a continuation of his undefeated streak. Janik followed with his third podium finish of the week, while ECSTAR Factory Suzuki’s Casey Cochran finished third.
Deegan leads the way in the Mini Sr. 2 overall classification, with Janik in second and Best in third.
Mini Sr. 2 (13-15) Moto 2 Results
- Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., KTM
- Krystian Janik, Oak Lawn, Ill. Kawasaki
- Casey Cochran, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
- Logan Best, North Port, Fla., Yamaha
- Landin Pepperd, Wasilla, Alaska, KTM
65cc (10-11) & 65cc (10-11) Limited
Both 65cc (10-11) divisions were in action on Wednesday, with the Limited class contesting its second moto of the week. In each the story was the same as KTM Orange Brigade’s Seth Dennis and Yamaha/Rock River/bLU cRU Amateur Motocross Team rider Canyon Richards were the class of the field.
Dennis took advantage of the STACYC Holeshot to assume the early lead in Limited Moto 2, where he quickly established a multi-second advantage that he’d never relinquish. While Richards, who started third and moved up to second by Lap 2, did all he could in pursuit, he was forced to settle for another runner-up finish, followed by second generation racer Vincent Wey in third aboard his Husqvarna.
Dennis leads the way in the overall classification for 65cc (10-11) Limited, with Richards second and Wey third.
The opening 65cc moto saw Richards take the STACYC Holeshot, only to drop back several positions outside the top five. That allowed Wey to get the edge over his rivals early on by leading the first couple laps of the race. After starting third, Dennis progressively moved forward and positioned himself out front after a miscue caused Wey to lose several positions. With the lead in hand, Dennis rode to a pressure-free win ahead of Richards, who rebounded to finish second. Wey recovered to finish third.
65cc (10-11) Moto 1 Results
- Seth Dennis, Minneola, Fla., KTM
- Canyon Richards, Egg Harbor Town, N.J., Yamaha
- Vincent Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna
- Cole Blecha, Fruita, Colo., KTM
- Caden Dudney, Athens, Texas, KTM
65cc (10-11) Limited Moto 2 Results
- Seth Dennis, Minneola, Fla., KTM
- Canyon Richards, Egg Harbor Town, N.J., Yamaha
- Vincent Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna
- Cole Blecha, Fruita, Colo., KTM
- Dannyn Reed, Saratoga Springs, Utah, KTM
Mini-E (4-6) Jr.
History was made on Wednesday at Loretta Lynn’s when the Mini-E class took to the track for the first-ever electric bike moto at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. The class consisted of the youngest competitors at the event and signified a landmark moment for the sport.
When the gate dropped on the final moto of the day it was all Kade Nightingale aboard his KTM. After capturing the first ever STACYC Holeshot for an e-bike moto, the young rider was absolutely dominant en route to a historic first win in the Mini-E division, where he took the checkered flag 21 seconds ahead of second.
Mini-E (4-6) Jr. Moto 1 Results
- Kade Nightingale, Mounds, Okla.
- Jaydin Smart, Berry Creek, Calif.
- Jeter Ramirez, El Reno, Okla.
- Jase Dill, Medford, N.Y.
- Cory Holmes, Brighton, Colo.
Additional AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Wednesday Winners
450 B Limited: Levi Kitchen, Washougal Wash., Yamaha
450 C: Cameron Horner, Bozeman, Mont., Kawasaki
250 B Limited: Levi Kitchen, Washougal Wash., Yamaha
125 C: Garrett Alumbaugh, Newark, Texas, Yamaha
Vet (30+): Andrew Matusek, Hodges, S.C., Yamaha
Senior (45+): Edward Walston, Pinetops, N.C., KTM
Masters (50+): Kevin Walker, Kingsport, Tenn., Suzuki
51 (4-6) Limited: Kade Nightingale, Mounds, Okla., Cobra
51 (4-6) Shaft Drive Ltd: Anderson Waldele, Lizella, Ga., Yamaha
51 (7-8) Limited: Colt Martin, Talladega, Ala., Cobra
65cc (7-9): Ryder Ellis, North Fork, Calif., Kawasaki
85cc (10-12): Landen Gordon, Atascadero, Calif., Suzuki
85cc (10-12) Limited: Luke Fauser, Midland, Pa., KTM
Day 3 of the 2020 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship continues Thursday, August 6. Broadcast coverage of every moto can be seen exclusively on Racer TV.
