More Success for Fortner at Winter Olympics MX

Austin Fortner grabs three motocross titles, and his Team Green teammates add seven more at the 44th Thor Winter Olympics in Florida.

Austin Forkner has already been establishing himself as one of the next ones to watch in the world of motocross, and he solidified that position over the weekend during the 44th Thor Winter Olympics at Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville, Florida.

Forkner helped lead his Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green teammates to 10 wins in the motocross portion of the week-long program, giving the Kawasaki brand a total of 18 wins at this year’s Winter ‘Os. Fortner won five motos and three overall championships. Meanwhile, teammate Garrett Marchbanks added the Schoolboy 2 title to his resume.

Forkner came out on top of battles in the 250cc A and 450cc A classes just as he did during the supercross portion of the program, and he added the 450cc Pro Sport title for good measure. In a bit of a reversal from his supercross run, Forkner missed his chance to collect 250cc Pro Sport crown due to a crash in one of his motos.

“I really had to work to win,” Forkner said. “Everyone really stepped up their game from supercross to motocross. I love the competition and high intensity the A class brings to the line each and every moto. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with everyone on Team Green for the tremendous support and for me to be able to repay them on the race track feels great.”

Marchbanks got two great starts and used them to handily win the Schoolboy 2 class via a 1-1 sweep. Fellow Team Green rider Jett Reynolds matched Marchbanks’ performance in both 85cc (9-11) motos to earn the championship in that class, but Team Green’s Nick Romano did both of his teammates one better by winning both 65cc (7-9) classes by 1-1 sweeps to win both championships. Ryder DiFrancesco took home the 65cc (7-11) championship.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider Hannah Hodges sustained an elbow injury earlier in the week but showed the true heart of a champion by riding through the injury to win both Girls (12-16) motos and claim the class championship.