Mammoth Big Bikes Day 2	PDF | Print | E-mail
	Author: Scott Parkinson
	Location: Mammoth, CA

There was some great racing out on the track today. The 250 Pro class was stacked and it did not dissapoint. In moto 1, Drew Gosselaar grabbed the holeshot and was followed by Gannon Audette, Austin Howell, and Tyler Sjoberg. The four riders battled going back and forth for most of the race. In the back section of the track, Howell hit the ground and Sjoberg made the move into second. Sjoberg then set his eye on Gosselaar. Sjoberg tried to make the move into the lead several times but Gosselaar slammed the door shut. Sjoberg then attempted an outside pass as they started to descend down the Mammoth downhill. Gosselaar began to push toward the outside and pushed Sjoberg right off the mountain. Sjoberg went flying off the track and hit the ground hard, but was able to remount and put on a charge to finish sixth. Holding onto the lead and taking the moto 1 win was Drew Gosselaar. Gannon Audette held on to second, and Bryce Vallee charged from way back to take third.

Above: Tyler Sjoberg railing on his way to a 250 Pro title at Mammoth Motocross!
Photo by: vurbmoto.com

In moto 2, Tyler Sjoberg took the lead early and never looked back. Behind Sjoberg was Drew Gosselaar, Nick Palluzzi, Bryce Vallee, and Austin Howell. Vallee found his way around Paluzzi and soon moved by Gosselaar on the Mammoth downhiil. Gosselaar and Vallee battled until Vallee was run off the track, which resulted in Gosselaar, Paluzzi, and Howell passing him. Gosselaar soon began to fade and all three riders found their way around him: Paluzzi, Howell, and Vallee. By the time everyone found their way around Gosselaar, Sjoberg had checked out and all the riders had built up pretty comfortable gaps. Moto 2 finished with Sjoberg taking the win and the overall with a 6-1. Paluzzi finished the moto in second, Austin Howell took third, and Bryce Vallee placed fourth.

Above: Bryce Vallee fought hard to take home a bear in the 250 Pro class and fell just a little short placing second.

Above: Austin Howell on his way to a strong third place finish in moto 2.

Again with a 6-1, Tyler Sjoberg took the overall. Bryce Vallee went 3-4 for second, and Gannon Audette went 2-5 for third. It is pretty crazy that all three riders had seven points and that their position in the second moto was the only thing that broke the tie breaker.

Above: Drew Gosselaar.
Photo by: vurbmoto.com

There was also good racing in the 250 Intermediate class today. Dillan Epstein took the early lead and led for several laps before Brad Frace took over the lead and began to check out. Frace was in the zone and riding solid! Epstein held on to second until he hit the ground in the right hand turn after the downhill. Moving into second after Epstein’s fall was Jesse Nelson and in third was Landon Currier. Nelson and Currier battled going back and forth until Currier made a mistake and had to settle for third place. When the checkered flag waved it was Frace followed by Nelson, and Currier.

Above: 250 intermidate winner Brad Frace
Photo by: Garrett Spoor

Above: Suzuki mounted Landon Currie chasing down Jessy Nelson
Photo by: Gerrett Spoor

Above: Jessy Nelson fighting forward as he cases Brad Frace and Dillan Epstein
Photo by: Gerrett Spoor

Having a disapointing day in the intermediate class was Tyler Bereman and Chris Plouffe. Both riders were looking fast and well on their way to a top five finish. However, coming out of the sand section of the track the two riders came together and went down. Plouffe DNF'ed, and by the time Bereman got up and got running again, he was near last place. Both riders will be looking to come back tomorrow with their eyes on a title in the 450 class.