Cycle News Staff | May 31, 2023
Sherco’s Pat Smage dominated rounds three and four of the NATC MotoTrials National Series in Canyon City, Colorado, May 27-28.
Sherco’s Pat Smage stood at the top of the podium both days at the NATC MotoTrials National in Colorado.
Smage was perfect on Saturday. The Sherco rider had a clean day with no marks on his card after three laps. And on Sunday, Smage was nearly perfect again, dropping just two points after all was said and done.
However, GasGas rider Josh Roper did keep Smage honest, especially Saturday, when he nearly kept pace with Smage. Roper dropped one point the first lap and another the third lap, and that was all. Roper finished two points back.
The points gap, however, grew on Sunday. Roper dropped a whopping 16 points to Smage’s two.
“Saturday was pretty good,” Roper said. “The sections were quite long, so the riders were constantly rushing to try and get through the sections. Obviously, you can’t rush the hard parts. It’s frustrating when the entire trial is easy, and one rock determines your whole day. I had one mistake on the first lap and then I had another mistake in the Pro Shootout in the fourth section, so I ended with two points total. Smage stayed clean the whole time, so congrats to him, that was a really good ride.
“On Sunday, I got lucky and barely snuck away with a second. My first lap, I had a silly one in one of the sections and then second two laps were clean up until section 12—that section ended up hurting me the most. I five’d it all three times, which ruined me for the day. Smage was the only one to make it through that section.”
GasGas’ Josh Roper kept Smage honest both days.
Sherco had two bikes on the podium both days. Alex Myers edged out Beta’s Alex Niederer for third Saturday, 17-19. It was even closer Sunday, as he nipped GasGas’ Daniel Blanc-Gonet for third by a single point.
Niederer was fifth Sunday.
Madeleine Hoover was a double winner in the Women’s Pro division. It was a two-rider showdown in the class between GasGas’ Hoover and Sherco’s Kylee Sweeten. Hoover took the win with room to spare Saturday but Sweeten bounced back Sunday to keep Hoover in check. Just three points separated the two at the end of the day.
Maddie Hoover swept the Women’s Pro class.
“Saturday was really good, the sections were on the easier side, but I really enjoyed them,” said Hoover. “It was a challenge to try and keep my feet up, which is always fun. I didn’t have any big crashes or anything today, which I’m thankful for, but I really enjoyed it.
“On Sunday, my riding started off really strong, and I had a really low first lap. On the second lap, I unfortunately made a rookie mistake, and five points today was quite a few. I knew I had to pull it together for the third lap and ended up with a clean lap, which I don’t get often, so that was exciting!”
Murphy Aaron cleans a section during the NATC MotoTrials National in Colorado.
Vertigo’s Ryon Land and GasGas’ Murphy Aaron went toe-to-toe in the Junior Pro ranks. Land came out swinging Saturday to take a clear victory over Aaron, but Aaron wanted revenge Sunday. This time, Aaron came out on top by just two points over Land.
Mika Lonsdale (Beta) was third both days. CN
Pro Day 1:
- Pat Smage (She) 0
- Josh Roper (GG) 2
- Will Myers (She) 17
- Alex Niederer (Bet) 19
- Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (GG) 21
Pro Day 2:
- Pat Smage (She) 2
- Josh Roper (GG) 16
- Alex Myers (Sco) 19
- Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (GG) 20
- Alex Niederer (Bet) 39
