FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Kacy Martinez took the victory in the Women’s class at round 1 of the 2018 EnduroCross series in Prescott Valley, Arizona. The FMF KTM rider started out front, but she was passed early on by A&E Racing/FXR/KTM’s Shelby Turner after struggling in the Matrix section. Martinez continued to battle in the second place position for the first four laps of the race. On the fifth and final lap, Turner made a mistake and Martinez was there to capitalize as she rode on to secure the opening-round victory.
“During the last day of practice,” Martinez said, “I was feeling great on the track and super pumped for the main! With our Women’s main event being the second-to-last race of the night, I was expecting a greasy racetrack because of all the water being drug around in the night show races before ours. I got a good jump off the start and came around the first turn in the lead, but I struggled going through the Matrix section, which was a section that I was getting through no problem until that point. Then I realized how slippery the track actually was and from there I probably rode the worst I ever have. But I hung in there and dug deep to capitalize on the leader’s mistake on the last lap to take the win. I’ll be riding with the sprinklers on till the next round!”
Turner was able to remount and ultimately salvage second place. The Canadian racer is the reigning champion in the class after winning five of the seven races last season.
“Round 1 of EnduroCross was insane,” Turner said. “I have been out with a leg injury since May, and this was my first race back after being cleared to race two weeks prior. It was a long day, [both] mentally and physically, but I surprised myself by leading most of the final race! Exhaustion and my lack of training caught up with me on the final lap. I dug as deep as I could and never gave up. I am so stoked to bring home second place and I am ready to get back to work over the next three weeks and come into round 2 more prepared.”
Beta USA’s Morgan Tanke finished on the final step of the podium while Nicole Bradford, Monique Johnson, and Allie Dorsey rounded out the top six, respectively.