Also on the XC2 line as the green flag waved, Simon Johnson had another great start as he rounded the first corner in 2nd place, and headed out into the woods sitting in 4th in class. As the racers battled for positions the first lap Johnson settled into 10th in class with 9th just ahead of him. He spent most of the race battling with the positions around him and pushing himself in the hot and humid conditions. He continued to do so as the race rounded itself out to the full 3 hours and although he struggled on the last lap he pushed all the way to the end. After a long grueling race Simon finished 12th in XC2 and 21st overall and expanded on the year so far by saying, “So far the 2020 season has been very challenging, yet so beneficial. Jumping up to the Pro ranks this year is a big step, but I have the right people around me who are going the extra mile.”

The third team Trail Jester KTM XC2 racer, Jesse Ansley, was back from injury this past weekend and ready to take on the 3 hour race ahead of him. He got off to mid-pack start and found himself banging bars the whole first lap. He battled up in the pack and picked riders off each lap but struggled with making quick passes and making them stick. Ansley spent the entire 3 hour race fighting for positions with his competition always just ahead of him. Heading into the last lap Jesse was battling for 10th place in XC2 when he got stuck in a mud hole just after overtaking the position, causing him to fall short of that goal and finishing his day 11th XC2 and 18th overall. Ansley is eager to get after it the rest of the 2020 season as he said, “I feel like I’m riding better than my results show and that’s frustrating. But I’m glad we have one more race and then summer break so I can really use that time to get better and come back and show everyone what I’m capable of.”

Lining up in the WXC class, Taylor Johnston had a great jump as the race began and worked her way through the first few corners and out into the woods. The terrain was slick and muddy which was right up Johntson’s alley, she felt comfort on the course as she took advantage of the patience this course required. As the race reached the halfway point Johntson sat in 9th place in class with her competition right ahead of her, Johnston stated “I feel like this race was a positive turning point for me. I had some great battles the whole race, was gaining time on the girls in front of me, and I was able to push the whole race.” After two hours of racing Taylor checked in finishing 9th in WXC and feeling confident about her day. 

In the 150A class, Brayden Nolette raced to the first few corners of the track where he got pinched off by his competitors and had to let off the gas. He fell into place in the pack and headed into the woods around 7th place with the realization he needed to make some moves to get back to the front. Throughout the first lap he was able to make quick work of and jump his way up through the class, checking in at the end of lap one in 3rd place. Nolette kept rolling and worked his way into the lead by the end of the second lap. Although there were some crashes that took place as his race continued, Brayden fought the humidity and pulled away from his competition. By the checkered flag, Nolette took the 150A win with an over 4 minute lead, his first ever amateur overall podium (3^rd) and 28th overall, and stated “I feel like I am starting to adapt to the 3 hour race much better, I also feel like there is so much more to improve and a lot to learn. I can’t wait!”