Result: 6th
Tough day at the office pretty much sums up my Snowshoe GNCC. I got a good start and followed the Suzuki of Josh Strang for the first 5 or 6 miles then moved into the lead when the opportunity presented itself. I was riding comfortable and felt good at the front. The track was pretty tough and again this year was made up of 2 loops, a 12 mile east loop we ran first followed by a 12 mile loop on the west side of the mountain. Things were going good up until about the last mile of the first lap when something threw my chain off. In the process handing over the lead and a spot in the top five while I refitted the chain. I got going again and clawed back some time to be in contact with the lead bunch during the west loop.
Into the pits for some gas then back into the action on the east side. This lap was to prove to be the nail in the coffin for my Snowshoe race with further chain derailments, getting stuck and a good crash that bent the bars pretty good. I was determined not to finish up so far back and pushed as hard as I could with what I had to work with. Avoiding anything that looked like it would snag my chain guide and doing the best I could with the bars that more resembled some crazy art project rather than the controls of a motorcycle. As I scrambled through a slick rock garden on the west loop I past KTM riders Kailub Russell and Cory Buttrick . Also closed in on Nick Fahringer and managed to make a pass later in the lap.
Heading back out on the east loop for the last twelve miles of the race, I also passed my teammate Thad Duvall. Sixth place was not what we had worked so hard for. I guess it's just one of those days.
1st: Josh Strang
2nd: Nate Kanney
3rd: Stu Baylor
Paul Whibley is supported by: AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D, Bush Riders MCC, Darbis, GHQ, Sargent Motorcycles, Yamaha NZ, Rosscos Start up Services, Works Connection, Race Pace Services
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by: FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne GYTR IMS Leatt Brace Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Cycra Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing AllBalls Racing, Pro Taper, Moto Concepts
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