Red Bull KTM rider Taylor Robert made the decision to stay in the USA and focus on the AMA National Hare and Hound Series and the Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) for 2017, and he got off to a great start by winning the WORCS season opener in Mesquite, Nevada, Sunday.
The Mesquite MX course proved to be a challenging one as deep sand whoops created a rough tracktrack really put the racers to the test as many described it as probably the roughest track on the schedule for 2017 with its deep sand whoops, which was paired with a top notch motocross track.
Robert was the rider to beat in those conditions, as he battled with Eric Yorba and former WORCS Champion Gary Sutherlin early in the race before pulling clear and scoring a convincing win.
“I’m really excited to be back at the WORCS races, especially this race,” Robert said. “Mesquite has always been my favorite because of the deep sand. It always seems that the rougher it gets, the better I do. I was just anxious to get out there. I didn’t have a good start, but after I took the lead on the first lap, I just rode my own race.”
Sutherlin, who missed most of the 2016 WORCS season while battling an illness, returned to action aboard his new Purvines Racing/DA8 Yamaha ride. Appearing to be back in good form, he got off to a great start and scored a solid second-place finish.
Reigning WORCS Champion Robby Bell, who said in a recent interview that he was happy to see Robert return to the series, bringing an added measure of competition, was equally solid. Bell piloted his Precision Concepts/Rocky Mountain ATV-MC Kawasaki to third-place finish at Mesquite.
“Pretty much the whole class can win on any given day,” Bell said. “It’s nice to see the depth of the field. The competition is stepping up again, and it will make for an exciting series.”
Honda-mounted Travis Damon has moved to the Pro Class for 2017. He finished fourth after a battle with Bell. Precision Concepts/Rocky Mountain ATV-MC Kawasaki’s Justin Seeds fought his way through shoulder pain to finish fifth.
In Pro 2, Logan Chambers and Dante Oliveira, both on KTMs, battled throughout the race with Chambers taking the victory. Alex Dorsey was third on a KTM.
“I was trying to run away with it on the first lap, got a little overconfident and put my front wheel over a berm,” Chambers said. “Dante [Oliveira] passed me. From there we diced it up until the one-hour mark. I took the lead in the pits and rode away from there. I just got on a 450, and I’m looking forward to racing the next few rounds.”
Cooper Abbott won the Pro 2 Lites class for his father Destry’s new Purvines Racing/DA8 Yamaha team.
“I made a couple of little mistakes at the beginning to the race,” Cooper Abbott said. “I took some deep breaths, reeled in the leaders and took the lead with two laps to go. I stayed consistent and came away with the win. I had a blast in the sand. The Purvines team is really good, and it’s going to be a great year.”
Chance Fullerton, also on a Yamaha, finished second. Clayton Hengeveld, son of Baja legend Steve Hengeveld, led most of the race on his Kawasaki, but he crashed late in the event. Clayton Hengeveld recovered to finish third.
Round two of the Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series is scheduled to take place January 27-29 at Buffalo Bills Resort and Casino in Primm, Nevada.
2017 Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS)
Mesquite MX
Mesquite, Nevada
Results: January 8, 2017 (Round 1 of 11)
Pro
1. Taylor Robert-KTM
2. Gary Sutherlin-Yam
3. Robby Bell-Kaw
4. Travis Damon-Hon
5. Justin Seeds-Kaw
6. Trevor Stewwart-Hon
7. Justin Walls
8. Blayne Thompson-Hon
9. Eric Yorba-KTM
10. Michael Del Fante-Yam
Pro 2
1. Logan Chambers-KTM
2. Dante OIiveira-KTM
3. Alex Dorsey-KTM
4. Damon Bush-Yam
5. Kyle Mercier-KTM
6. Matt Maple-Hon
7. Matthew Cook-KTM
8. Hayden Florez
Pro 2 Lites
1. Cooper Abbott-Yam
2. Chance Fullerton-Yam
3. Clayton Hengeveld-Kaw
4. Austin Serpa-KTM
5. Preston Campbell-Hon
6. Collin Elliott-Yam
7. Brandy Richards-Yam
8. Nick Tolman-KTM
9. Kade Patten-Yam
10. Jarett Megla-Hon
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