AMA National Hare & Hound, Round 2: Location: Post, TX Beta captures two Open Pro podium spots after Joe Wasson had a redeeming race taking 1st place while Factory Teammate Zane Roberts finished in 3rd. Roberts now leads the series points standings with Wasson in a close 3rd. Beta support rider Cole Conatser improved on his series lead taking home his second Pro 250 win of the season. Factory Team rider Morgan Tanke was close to a podium finish coming in a close 4th place in the Women's Pro class.
JOE WASSON 430 RR Race Edition "The day started out great, some fresh rain made for some intense battles. The top 4 swapped positions for the first half of the race, but it ultimately came down to another rider and myself battling for 75 miles. After finishing 5 seconds apart I came away with the win! Awesome race to say the least!”
COLE CONATSER 250 RR Race Edition "I ended round 2 in Post, Texas with a 1st place Pro 250 victory. I had a great race, and started way closer to the front. The course was awesome and it really fit my style of riding. I just had a really good time racing! Looking forward to the Mint 400 in Vegas next! Hope to keep the momentum going into round 3!”
ZANE ROBERTS 430 RR Race Edition "I had a great weekend in Texas for the second round of the NHHA series. I got off to a pretty mediocre start, but I charged hard and caught the top guys pretty quickly. From there it became a gnarly battle between the 4 of us for the lead for probably close to 30 miles. Unfortunately a fellow racer went down in front of me, and I had to stop to to make sure he was okay, and I kind of lost touch with the lead two who checked out on the final part of loop two. Overall I'm stoked to get a podium and can't wait to race again!”
MORGAN TANKE 250 RR Race Edition "The Texas NHHA course was definitely not like any other Hare and Hound. Tight single track and hundreds of turns made for a long day on the bike. I got a great start but had a hard time getting into a good race pace. I rode smooth all day, but it just wasn't enough, and ended up 4th on the day.”
GNCC Series, Round 1: Location: Union, SC Cody Barnes had his debut in the XC2 class, and after battling with 1st round jitters was able to take home a solid 6th place finish. Factory teammate Thorn Devlin wasn't too far behind taking home a 9th place finish in the XC2 class. Newly signed Chase Colville also put forth a solid performance finishing in 6th place in the XC3 class, while Factory Teammate Rachel Gutish took home a 5th place finish in the WXC class.
CODY BARNES 250 RR Race Edition "With this round being my very first race in the XC2 class at a GNCC I was a bit nervous. I got off to a good start, and was with the front pack for most the first lap. The first two laps I rode pretty tight and that cost me some positions and time. I found my groove and was able to make some good laps at the end of the race. I finished 6th in the XC2 class and 13th overall. My Beta 250 RR was handling the rough track super well and was running awesome! I now know what I need to work on for the next round to be up there and not lose that front pack. Looking forward to giving it another shot here in two weeks!”
THORN DEVLIN 250 RR Race Edition "With only a handful of GNCC's raced in my career, it is a solid start and I am confident we will be with the lead pack as I build confidence on the 3 hour race pace. Thank you to the entire Factory Beta USA team for the hard work and the opportunity.”
CHASE COLVILLE 125 RR Race Edition "I started off with a dead last start, and was able to work my way to the front of the pack on the first lap. I made the pass for the lead on the second lap, but unfortunately was taken out by a lapper. The rest of the day was a struggle for me although my Beta 125 RR handled the rough track and tree roots awesome. I couldn't ask for a better bike!”
RACHEL GUTISH 300 RR Race Edition "The race started off well - I entered the woods in fourth and was able to move up to third by the end of lap one. I was riding a consistent pace and was able to hang with the lead pack pretty easily though laps one and two. The 300's power was incredible, it never felt like I was having to ride hard to keep that pace. Unfortunately on the third lap a C rider I was lapping cut over on me. I hit him, then clipped a tree and went over the bars. I hit my head pretty hard and sustained a mild concussion. I was able to hang onto a fifth place despite a headache and dizziness, so I am grateful, but also disappointed that the race turned out this way after such a promising start. I plan to take most of next week off, but should be good to compete by next weekend.”
