Cycle News Staff | September 20, 2022
Juan Carlos Salvatierra, along with teammates Arturo Salas, Shane Logan and Clayton Roberts, took the overall motorcycle and Pro Moto Unlimited (400cc and above) at the SCORE Baja 400, September 16-19. It was the third straight victory at the Baja 400 for Salvatierra, who is a nine-time Bolivian National Motocross Champion.
The team, aboard a KTM 450 SX-F, overcame adversity at the start of the race when their bike refused to start. Approximately 30 minutes later, they got the bike running and began their comeback that carried them to the front of the pack by the time the race was over, approximately eight and a half hours later. They averaged 43.72 mph over the 370-mile course.
“We’re very happy that we won this race after having an issue early in the morning,” Salvatierra said at the finish line. “The bike wouldn’t start, and it cost us 30 minutes to make it work. Arturo did a great job in starting our comeback, and Clayton gained quite a few positions, too. I was able to put us in first place and Shane kept us there until the finish line.
The Juan Carlos Salvatierra team topped this year’s SCORE Baja 400. PHOTO: ART EUGENIO/SCORE INT’L
“For most of the time, we had a problem with our antenna, too, and didn’t know exactly in which position we were,” he added. “We’re relieved to be here and very happy with what we did.”
The Ivan Delgadillo team, with riders Delgadillo, Justin Carnes, Brad Millikan and Justin Kennamer, finished second.
Fernando Beltran, Luis Flores, Larry Serna, Mauri Herrera and Javier Salazar combined efforts to win the Pro Moto Limited (400cc and below), while the Jano Montoya team (Montoya, Bryce Stavron, David Zarate and Kyle Tichenor) topped Pro Moto 30.
Francisco Septien was the Pro Moto Ironman-class winner in nine hours and 40.48 seconds. CN
