On The Pegs June 2019 - Volume 4 - Issue 6 | Page 141

On The Pegs
Vol. 4 Issue 6 - June 2019
141
the year out of the way.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself just know-
ing everybody is stepping it up and I feel pres-
sure to ride the best I can,” said Smage. “Sec-
tion four was the toughest for me, but I was
able to clean it on the second loop, which I
was surprising myself what I was holding onto
and saving because that stuff is just so hard
to ride when it’s this slippery. But overall I felt
pretty solid on the bike.”
After finishing second on Saturday, Peters
struggled on Sunday and dropped to seventh.
Despite having off days, GasGas North Amer-
ica’s Daniel Blanc-Gonnet, Beta USA’s Andreas
Niederer, FactoryONE/Scorpa’s Karl Davis Jr.
and FactoryONE/Sherco’s Sam Fastle turned
in solid performances and will no doubt be
fighting for podium positions as the series
progresses.
In the Women’s Pro division, GasGas North
America’s Maddie Hoover won both days,
with Donna Fox of Great Britain finishing sec-
ond on Saturday. Kylee Sweeten was second
on Sunday. Hoover also topped the ES line on
both days.
“I feel like I was riding really well. Very solid
and no big mistakes. A little here and there,”
said Hoover. “The sections weren’t too diffi-
cult and I’ve been working on consistency and
keeping my head in it and doing it section by
section all year, so I think that really helped.”
In the Expert class, Alex Myers’ brother, Will,
took the win on both days, with former Pro
rider Jess Kempkes finishing second and Ty
Cullins finishing third on Saturday. On Sunday,
Beta USA’s Jerome Gregorowicz was second
with Cullins third again.