Kelley got a decent jump off the start of the XC1 Open Pro class but he got pinched off in the first turn, setting him back to sixth heading into the woods on the opening lap. Passing opportunities were hard to come by early on so Kelley had his work cut out for him as he tried to make his way through the pack. Coming into the pits for his first drink stop on lap two, Kelley made a mistake that dropped him back to seventh as the leaders continued to break further away from the pack. Engaged in a freight-train of riders inside the top-five, Kelley separated himself with an alternative pit strategy and it paid off as he was able to charge his way up to third by lap five. Over the next two laps, Kelley reeled in the second-place rider and he eventually made his move with two laps to go, then setting his sights on the race leader. He made a valiant charge in the final hour to cut the leader’s deficit down to only 14 seconds but he wasn’t able to make it stick as he ultimately finished 35 seconds back for second overall.

Ben Kelley: “It was a solid race but I’ve got to be better my first two laps and get on Stew’s wheel early on. I know if I’m there, I can make it happen in the end, I’ve done it before. Hats off to him and everyone else, they rode well. The track was gnarly and rough but I had fun and gave it my all, second-place was what it was today.”