Racing

Pat Smage Draws First Blood At New Mexico MotoTrials

Sherco USA rider looks to add 10th US Trials title to his résumé

April 25, 2018

After taking a big win on Saturday, Pat Smage rattled off 25 straight cleans to start Sunday’s competition. The only points the Wisconsin rider took on Sunday was a five in section two of his third loop.Shan Moore

Pat Smage kicked off the 2018 AMA/NATC US National MotoTrials season with a pair of dominating wins at rounds 1 and 2 of the 10-round schedule near Roswell, New Mexico. The Sherco USA-backed rider won both days in convincing fashion and left little doubt who the title favorite is heading into the remaining eight rounds. Here's a look at this weekend's competition thanks to photographer Shan Moore.

Colorado’s Micah Hertrich jumps one of the many “gaps” that challenged the competitors on the dry and sandy course.Shan Moore

Sherco USA’s Josh Roper won the Expert division on Saturday. He, Alex Myers, and Micah Hertrich are just three of the promising young riders moving up through the ranks.Shan Moore

Daniel Blanc-Gonnet blasts up one of the many rock walls littering the course. The GasGas North America rider was second in the Pro class on Saturday and third on Sunday.Shan Moore

Maddie Hoover won the Women’s Pro class on both days. Maddie’s father, Garry, talks her through one of the sections on Saturday.Shan Moore

Scorpa USA’s Quinn Wentzel launches up a vertical wall during Saturday’s competition. Quinn is one of the tallest riders on the circuit and he uses his more-than-6-foot frame to his advantage.Shan Moore

Alex Niederer hurls his factory GasGas toward the exit of section two on Saturday.Shan Moore

Sherco USA’s Sam Fastle drops into a section on Saturday. Sammy is one of the young guns who are starting to give Smage a run for his money.Shan Moore

Andreas Niederer made his debut in the pro division in New Mexico. The Beta USA rider turned in some impressive rides over the weekend.Shan Moore

New Mexico National MotoTrials Results - Saturday

Position	Rider	Brand	Points
1	Pat Smage	Sherco	13
2	Daniel Blanc-Gonnet	GasGas	46
3	Alex Niederer	GasGas	50
4	Sam Fastle	Sherco	73
5	Quinn Wentzel	Scorpa	88
6	Andreas Niederer	Beta	99

The NATC’s Vonda Roper conducts traffic during the Saturday morning start.Shan Moore

New Mexico National MotoTrials Results - Sunday

Position	Rider	Brand	Points
1	Pat Smage	Sherco	5
2	Alex Niederer	GasGas	26
3	Daniel Blanc-Gonnet	GasGas	30
4	Sam Fastle	Sherco	55
5	Andreas Niederer	Beta	79
6	Quinn Wentzel	Scorpa	80