Paul Whibley 2nd in the opening OMAThe 2 hour event kicked off with the wave of a flag. I shot toward turn one with Russell Bobbitt just inside me. Rubbing elbows as we entered the turn and getting bumped wide allowing Scotty Watkins by. I entered the woods in third. I pushed hard to get past Scotty quickly as I knew Bobbitt would be pinning it up front. After making a move on Scotty on a rocky down hill I got stuck between two trees in a tight section allowing Russell to get away. Over the next couple laps I worked hard slowly reeling him in. Finally pulling up to his rear wheel I began to look for some were to make a move. I found a couple places where I was going quicker but it was hard to put it together and set up a pass with most of the trail being tight and rocky.  The pit stop went smoothly and we were in and out quickly and back into the battle. Over the next couple of laps I continued to keep the pressure on and look for opportunities but nothing presented itself. It was becoming clear I was really going to have to put it on the line and make something happen. On the second to last lap I had a place lined up but got a vine snagged on my bars and lost a few seconds to Russell. On the last lap I made my move on one of the open sections and got along side of him but the door was shut pretty quick. In the end I had to settle for 2nd. Russell rode a great race and owned it right from the start. I failed to find and take any chances to take the lead but it was a great battle right down to the end. The pace we were running pushed us Photo credit: Mark Karyia further out front and we had a comfortable lead over 3rd place, my team mate Jordan Ashburn. 1st; Russell Bobbit. 2nd; Paul Whibley. 3rd; Jordan Ashburn Paul Whibley is supported by: AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D, Bush Riders MCC, Sargent Motorcycles, Yamaha NZ, Rosscos Start Up services, Works Connection. The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by: FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing |