The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WORCS Racing series rolled into Northern Nevada for the Biggest Little City Grand Prix, set against the rugged backdrop of Reno at a new venue for the series at Stead MX Raceway. With a course stretching just over four miles, the track delivered a perfect WORCS blend, short motocross bursts mixed with fast, flowing hillsides that wound through trees and natural terrain. It wasn’t just about speed, either. Riders had to stay sharp through deep silt pockets, tight tree-lined sections, and punishing big whoops that demanded every ounce of control and creativity. While Saturday brought cold conditions and a ripping wind that reminded everyone they weren’t racing in the desert anymore, Sunday’s Pro motos turned into a full-on survival test. As the green flag flew, riders were immediately met with a snowstorm that hammered the course for nearly the first twenty minutes. Then, almost as quickly as it arrived, the snow vanished, and sunshine broke through, drawing cheers from riders and spectators alike. But the relief didn’t last long. Clouds rolled back in and, roughly an hour and twenty minutes into the two-hour moto, the skies opened again—this time with hail, adding one final layer of chaos before the checkered flag could finally end the madness. Reno delivered every season in a single race, and the racers had no choice but to adapt.

The Pro 450 class delivered great racing as this course layout, with it being more technical than an all-out spring, allowed riders to stay closer together and, with the lead changing hands at key moments, as weather and track conditions continued to evolve. Off the start, it was Tyler Lynn on the SLR Honda steed, grabbing the holeshot and leading the field through the first corner, setting the tone early as riders charged into the hills. But it didn’t take long for Dare Demartile aboard his Liquimoly Beta USA Machine to make his move. Demartile wasted no time applying pressure and made quick work of the opening lap, taking over the top spot and immediately stretching his rhythm into the technical sections. With the course still slick and unpredictable from the early snow, Demartile rode with confidence and control, holding the lead for roughly the first hour and ten minutes of the two-hour battle.

As conditions began to improve and the track started to open up, Mason Semmens, riding his FMF RPM KTM, turned up the intensity. Finding speed as traction returned, Semmens began to close the gap and launched a hard charge in the second half of the moto. Once he made his pass for the lead, Semmens never looked back, keeping the pace high and staying mistake-free through the rough late-race chop and deepening ruts. From that point forward, Semmens controlled the race and rode it home for the victory in one of the hardest-fought wins of his season.

Demartile held strong for second after leading the majority of the moto, while Lynn stayed consistent and tough to round out the podium in third. Just off the podium, Giacomo Redondi rode his Pro Circuit Offroad Kawasaki and claimed fourth after another steady and calculated ride, managing the tree sections and rough terrain well despite the constantly changing conditions. In fifth was Hayden Florez, grinding out a solid finish on a day where simply staying upright and mistake-free became a battle of its own.

If the 450 Pro class was a test of patience and timing, the Pro 250 race was pure intensity from start to finish. The ongoing rivalry between Cole Zeller, piloting his FMF RPM KTM Racing machine, and Sam Pretscherer, aboard the SLR Honda, continued to heat up in Reno, as the two traded blows all moto long in one of the closest battles of the weekend. From the opening laps, Zeller and Pretscherer separated themselves from the rest of the field, swapping the lead multiple times as they pushed the pace through the hills, trees, and whooped-out sections. Neither rider gave an inch, and even as the course conditions shifted dramatically, from snow to sunshine and eventually hail, the gap between them stayed razor thin, with both riders running within only a few seconds of each other for much of the race. Every lap felt like a statement, as both riders knew the championship picture continues to tighten with each round.

In the end, Zeller’s ability to stay smooth and calculated through the roughest sections proved to be the difference. He maintained his composure late in the moto as visibility dropped and the track became unpredictable again, locking in the lead when it mattered most and sealing a hard-earned victory in a race that could have easily gone either way. Pretscherer remained relentless until the final moments, settling for second but once again proving he has the pace and grit to challenge for wins every weekend. Behind the front two, Dustyn Davis charged to a strong third-place finish, continuing to show his versatility and speed across multiple classes. Noah Gordon fought through the chaos for fourth, while Colton Aeck (Kawasaki) rounded out the top five. Jake Alvarez secured sixth after enduring the full range of Reno’s weather swings, proving consistency still pays dividends in a race where simply surviving becomes a challenge.

Saturday’s races may not have featured snow or hail, but the cold wind made sure the day was still a challenge. In Women’s Pro, Tarah Gieger put on a show on her JCR Honda taking the victory with a strong and composed performance. Lauren Woods followed with a solid ride for second, while Rachel Burton (Kawasaki) completed the podium in third.

The Open Pro class saw Dustyn Davis, double down on the weekend with a victory, showing he had the pace to dominate regardless of conditions. Giacomo Redondi secured second, while Colton Aeck grabbed third, making it a strong showing for the green machines in Reno.

The Biggest Little City Grand Prix wasn’t just another stop on the WORCS calendar, it was a reminder of why this series is considered one of the most demanding off-road championships in the country. Between the brutal terrain, the high-speed hills, technical trees, and weather that went from snowstorm to sunshine to hail, Reno forced every rider to dig deeper than planned. When the dust settled—along with the snow and hail, Mason Semmens and Cole Zeller stood as the Sunday standouts, proving that the best racers aren’t just the fastest, but the ones who can adapt when the race turns unpredictable. And in Reno, unpredictability was the only guarantee.