Cycle News Staff | August 1, 2023
FactoryONE Sherco’s Pat Smage extended his championship record in Exeter, Rhode Island, July 29-30, taking the win both days to secure his 14th NATC National Mototrials Championship.
The Rhode Island Trials Club (RITC) is notorious for technical, difficult trials, and the latest rounds did not disappoint. Unlike the other rounds this season, which have all been rather low-scoring events, the terrain at the Arcadia Management Area is not easily adapted to an easy trial. Having hosted a world round and numerous national trials in the past, the cast and crew knew just what to do to make the riders work for their finishes.
Pat Smage captured his 14th career NATC Championship after sweeping the series final. Photos: Steph Vetterly
Many a rider has chased Pat Smage throughout the years; some have come close to relinquishing him of a title, and Montesa/Honda’s Marc Frexia was able to take the 2016 title. This year it seemed like GasGas USA’s Josh Roper might be in contention. However, when the terrain gets slick and technical, Smage’s talent shines.
After some heavy rainfall Friday night, the competition took a hot and humid start. Smage seemed to be in his element, dropping only six points throughout the day. Roper took second with 56 points. FactoryONE Sherco’s Will Myers, a Pennsylvania native and not new to riding in the slop, rounded out the podium with 75 points. Temperatures cooled down a bit for Sunday, but riders were more pleased to have lower humidity to deal with. Once again, Smage buckled down and “tried to ride like my old self,” coming in with only 13 points. He admitted to riding a bit more defensively due to seeing other Pro riders taking full five-point scores in sections. At the end of the day, it was enough to take the top step. Roper admitted to not feeling very good on the bike but was able to improve his scores each loop after some extra breaks.
Josh Roper went 2-3 over the weekend and finished out the championship in second place.
FactoryONE Scorpa’s Alex Myers, brother to Will Myers, bested Roper by a single point to take second place, his best finish of the season.
“This was definitely the best I’ve felt on the bike this year,” said Smage of his riding Saturday. “I really put it together right away with two one-point loops. After the first one, I thought I wouldn’t be able to pull it off again, but I kept focus and tried my best, and just kept riding really well. I think the sections were the best they’ve been all year, definitely much more difficult than the other rounds. I think it’s on the right path of what we need for section difficulty. They were technical; there was some big stuff, but it wasn’t all just big hits, it was a medium-sized hit with a really tricky run and stuff like that.”
The Sherco crew celebrates winning the 2023 NATC National Mototrials Championship in Rhode Island.
When asked how it feels to be winning his 14th championship, Smage said, “After 10 [championships], it all just feels crazy to me [laughs]. It doesn’t really make sense, but I guess we’ve got to take it and keep trying to get better, come back and see what happens next year. No matter what, I’m just happy and feel lucky and accomplished to have been doing it this long. I say this every time, too: If it’s the last one, great, but I’ll keep trying.”
“Overall, I’m happy with how the season went,” said Roper after securing an overall second place for the season. “There’s definitely room for improvement, but to be up there fighting with Pat is very, very difficult. Pat is such a good rider, and he’s very talented on a motorcycle. The fact that we were even able to squeak two wins this season is a win in itself. At the end of the day, we’re all safe, we’re happy—not too much damage done. I’d like to be up there fighting a little bit more with Pat, but he absolutely kicked my butt this weekend [laughs].”
Overall podium.
Steph Vetterly
Saturday
- Pat Smage (She)
- Josh Roper (GG)
- Will Myers (She)
- Alexander Niederer (Bet)
- Alex Myers (Sco)
Sunday
- Pat Smage (She)
- Alex Myers (Sco)
- Josh Roper (GG)
- Will Myers (She)
- Alexander Niederer
