to put KTM on top of the podium and earn her fourth career Women ’ s Championship title . Tyler Smith helped Husqvarna add another championship title by winning the Intermediate / Amateur class .
Series events such as these are a great way for new riders to get on the track and show their skill in front of the promoters and manufacturers in hopes of one day being granted a sponsorship opportunity . A few riders stood out from the crowd and made big impressions : Anthony Johnson , Ryder Leblond ( 10th place series finish ), Cooper Abbott ( 4th place series finish ), Cory Graffunder ( 5th place series finish ), Noah Kepple ( 6th place series finish ) and Ty Cullins ( 8th place series finish ). Two brothers from Australia also made some waves ; 17-year-old Will Riordan and his younger brother Angus .
“ Angus came out and rode one event , and the kid was actually killing it !” says series promoter Tod Hammock . “ It shows he finished 14th overall , but that wasn ’ t a fair depiction of his day . Angus signed up as intermediate . We saw him come through and do practice , and we said ‘ No , your times are far better than any intermediate out there ; it ’ s not even going to be a contest .’ So we got him to move up into the Expert class , and that ’ s where he transferred out . Keep in mind , you had another
VOL . 5 ISSUE 1 - JANUARY 2021 // PAGE 77