Taylor Robert’s Mesquite WORCS Win Sets up Dramatic Season Finale

Mesquite, NV – After finishing fourth in the last race, Taylor Robert did what he does best, bouncing back and dominating the Rocky Mountain ATV MC WORCS Series Presented by Polaris RZR and Dirt Bike Pro 450 motorcycle event at Mesquite MX. Chance Hymas won the Pro 250 race and Evan Stice was first in Pro-Am.

The event was held on a brand-new off-road course combined with Mesquite’s motocross track. Series officials set up the course in the deep sand to be more technical, slowing the pace, and making for an exciting and challenging race.

In the Pro 450 race, Dante Oliveira took the holeshot on his KTM, but Robert outdueled him in the pavement section and took the lead. From there, Robert maintained his gap and scored his fourth win of the season, equaling teammate Oliveira. Cole Martinez finished second on his Honda, ahead of Oliveira’s KTM.

“I had to prove a point after the last race,” said Robert. “I went out there, did what I know how to do best, made some passes, and rode my own race. I maintained my gap and then let my fitness show in the last few laps. The new track was awesome. It was much tighter, and that really slowed down the race. That was cool to add some variety.”

Martinez earned his second consecutive podium with his second-place finish. He fell on the second lap, but found clear track ahead of him, allowing him to pick his own lines. Though he caught up to Taylor at the end, he settled for second. “We’ve definitely picked up some speed,” explained Martinez. “I had a good battle with Taylor at the end, but he wasn’t giving it up, so I settled in for second.”

After taking the holeshot, Oliveira and Martinez diced it up throughout the race, with Oliveira eventually finishing third. The third-place finish, combined with Taylor’s victory, sets up a final race shootout between the KTM teammates, and whomever finishes ahead of the other, wins the title. “These guys just wanted it today,” said Oliveira. “Taylor got around me on the road section on lap one and a couple of laps later Cole and I had a great battle and he got around me. I got out of the pits before him and we battled until there were 48 minutes left and he just kept going. It’s coming down to the wire for the championship so the final race is going to be exciting.”

In Pro 250, outdoor motocross rider Chance Hymas showed off his new factory Honda ride with a victory. It marks his third win of the season in his four starts. Points leader Tallon Lafountaine was second on a Honda, ahead of the RPM KTM of Mateo Oliveira.

“It was a good race,” said Hymas. “The sand track was great and the moto track was perfect. The WORCS guys did a great job on the track.”

Despite having issues with setup on his Honda, Lafountaine used his characteristic smooth riding style to finish second and pad his points lead. “My bike was setup for a faster track and this Mesquite was a lot tighter and slower,” said Lafountaine. “I just couldn’t find the flow and that made it tough. I just rode my pace, saved my energy, stuck to the plan, and, overall, it was a good day.”

Mateo Oliveira struggled to stay upright during the contest and found himself having to constantly charge after crashes. His athleticism shined though and he finished third. “I charged the whole two hours because I kept ending up on the ground,” said Oliveira. “It was good to put my RPM KTM on the podium today and we’ll be ready for the next one.”

In Pro-Am, Evan Stice beat out Cameron Horner to score his fifth win of the season. Riding a Honda, Stice took the lead late in the race on his Honda and ended up with the victory. Horner was second on a Honda, followed by the KTM of Brandy Richards.

“I followed Cam for a while, got past him and took the win,” said Stice, who extended his points lead in the class. “This was definitely good for the championship.”

Horner’s runner-up effort marked his best finish of the season for the up-and-coming rider. After taking the lead early, he tried to pace himself off of Stice’s times. “I was pacing myself off of Evan for the first few laps,” said Horner. “Evan and I found a flow in the sand and we just went. It was a fun battle.”

Richards used the big downhill step-down section of the track for the first time in the Pro-Am event and it resulted in her earning her sixth podium of the season. “I didn’t hit the big downhill yesterday, so I got into position today and just sent it,” said Richards. “It got a little sketchy toward the end, but I still made it. I loved the new course and it was a really good race.”

Richards also won the Women’s Pro race, beating out Kaitlyn Jacobs’ KTM. Ava Silverstri was third on her Yamaha.

The WORCS motorcycles will finish out the 2021 season by joining the ATV classes at Buffalo Bill’s Casino in Primm, NV. That race is scheduled for November 19-21.
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