Denver, CO – Round three of the AMA EnduroCross season followed suit with intense action and new winners. FactoryONE Sherco riders had a solid night of racing in the Mile High City with Cody Webb finishing P3 with scores of 3-2-5 and Cooper Abbott was not far behind with a P5 final placement. Louise Forsley had a tight battle with Shelby Turner in the Women’s Pro class finishing P2 on the night.
Cody Webb P3
Photo courtesy of Jack Jaxson
The wood matrix was the topic of conversation on the day. Cody Webb seemed to be the only rider able to figure it out under wet conditions in the practice sessions. Conditions would change for the main event however reducing the total difficulty.
The evening would get under way with a qualification lap for gate pick. This “hot lap” qualifier would have the top three separated by a mere 0.204 seconds. Cooper Abbott would have a finishing time of 58.721 which put him P3 just behind Trystan Hart and Colton Haaker. Cody Webb would have the fifth gate pick.
Cooper Abbott on his Hot Lap
Photo courtesy of Jack Jaxson
Moto one had Webb in third at the hole-shot line behind Haaker and Blake Gutzeit. Cooper Abbott would get pinched by by a few riders, causing him to check up and ride from the back. Haaker would check out in the moto, leaving the battle for P2 between Cody Webb and Trystan Hart. Webb would have to settle P3 with Abbott P8.
The Gate Drop in Moto One
Photo courtesy of Jack Jaxson
With the inverted gate for moto two, the top eight riders would have to contend from the back of the pack. Spencer Wilton would take advantage of this and be first to the hole-shot followed by Nick Thompson and series points lead Taddy Blasuziak. By the end of the opening lap, Cody Webb would make his way into P2 behind Blasuziak. While pushing hard, Webb could not make the pass to win the moto finishing second. Cooper Abbott would improve on his moto one finish with a P5 placement.
Cody Webb in the Matrix in Moto Two
Photo courtesy of Jack Jaxson
Webb, Blasuziak and Hart were tied on points coming into the final moto of the night. The stage was set for an fiery conclusion. Hart would be first to the Moose Racing hole-shot with Cooper Abbott a half bike length behind. Abbott would stay there until a few final lap errors which would have him P4 at the checked flag. Cody Webb did not have the start he would have hoped for putting him mid-pack at the timing stripe on lap one. He would make a few passes but would finish P5 behind Abbott. This was good enough for the final podium spot.
“It was a solid night for me but a few minor mistakes cost me,” said Cody Webb. “I am stoked to be back on the podium and fourth in points after being dead last in round one. The track was awesome and the matrix was the hardest it has even been. I just wish it had stayed a little wet as that was suiting me very well,” concluded Webb.
Cody Webb Takes Home P3 Honors
Photo courtesy of Jack Jaxson
“I have showed I have the speed to run up front, if I can just avoid these issues on the starts early in the night, I will contend for the podium,” said Cooper Abbott. “I had great start to moto three. I had a few small errors on the last lap allowing two riders to get by. It hurts as I wanted the final moto podium and to finish higher in the final results. I am fifth in points and looking forward to the next round in my home state,” concluded Abbott.
Louise Forsley in Action in the EX Pro Women’s Race
Photo courtesy of Jack Jaxson
In The EX Pro Women’s race, FactoryONE Sherco’s Louise Forsley would have an intense battle with Shelby Turner. Forsley would lead early by limiting mistakes and riding clean. While Turner and Rachel Gutish were fighting for the second spot, Forsley would gain a few seconds on the pair. The fervid pace of the race combined with the technicality of the course, would have Forsley with a few mistakes allowing Turner to gain on her. The pair were bar to bar on the second to last lap when Turner was finally able to clear her taking the win. Forsley would come across in P2. The pair are separated by a single point in the championship at the halfway point of the season.
EX Pro Women Podium
Photo courtesy of Jack Jaxson
“Wow that was intense,” said Louise Forsley. “I was focused and was riding clean. I know Shelby is so fast, especially on the racy parts of the track, so I had to ride to the best of my ability. I am going to work on my speed during these next two weeks before the next round so I can hopefully regain the points lead,” concluded Forsley.
In the EX Expert class. Sherco Enduro Racing’s Branden Petrie would take the win over Justin Soule and Josh Roper.