On the Pegs - November 2021 Volume 6 Issue 11 - November | Page 128

he finally finished in eighth position . As Fortner and Gregorowicz entered the final section of the day , it was Gregorowicz who had the points lead . The loose New Mexico soil got the best of Jay , and the observer scored him five points for sliding backwards in the section . Fortner was able to clean the section and take a four-point lead for the win . FactoryONE Sherco ’ s Eric McCurdy slowly and consistently worked his way back from an eighth-place start to find himself in a podium position , only 10 points behind .
Taking the win secured Fortner the Expert Championship ; he requested and was granted permission to ride the Pro line in the final day of competition , competing under an exhibition-denoted class .
Sunday would see scores tighten drastically as riders became more familiar with the terrain . As the first loop cards were turned in , it was quickly made apparent that Roper was not going to allow Smage to have an easy win , as both riders were tied on a single point . Daniel Blanc-Gonnet found himself in podium contention with nine points . Smage would clean the remaining two loops , with Roper only dropping an additional two points for a total of three on the day .
DREW FORTNER - TEAM BETA
ON THE PEGS // PAGE 128