Valcourt, Quebec, June 8, 2011 - Motoworks / Can-Am pro ATV racer
Chad Wienen won round seven of the 2011 AMA ATV MX Championship series this past weekend at Spring Creek Motocross in Millville, Minn. Wienen, who was the fastest qualifier on his Can-AM DS 450 ATV, posted an impressive 2-1 moto score to earn the Pro class overall. Motoworks / Can-Am teammate
John Natalie Jr., also had a great weekend in Minnesota, as he won the first moto and finished second overall to Wienen.
"I'm thrilled to see both Chad and John on the podium, again," said Jimmie O'Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. "Both riders were consistent all weekend and the facility's rough track conditions really showcased the capabilities of the Can-Am DS 450. Chad notched another win and John's 1-2 score kept him within 10 points of the points lead. I'm very proud of both our riders."
In moto No. 1, Wienen came around the first turn in fifth place, but had moved into the second spot, behind Natalie, by lap six. The Motoworks / Can-Am racers then entertained the crowd for the next eight laps as Wienen tucked in behind his teammate and continually pressured him the rest of the way. Natalie held on for the moto victory aboard his DS 450 and attributed his win to his success in the nasty Spring Creek whoops section.
"I got off the line good in moto one and passed for the lead. Chad was right on me for a while and I was a little faster in the whoops and I was able to hold him off like that for the rest of the moto," said Natalie.
"Catching John is one thing, but getting around him is another," stated Wienen after the moto. ""The track was really rough so I just tried to do my best."
Wienen got a better start in the second pro moto, as he came out of the first turn in third. The Pro class points leader wasted no time, however, as he quickly jumped to the front of pack before the end of the first lap. With an open track in front of him, Wienen accelerated away from the rest of the riders, gaining more distance after each lap. By the end of lap 10, the Can-Am racer held more than a 26-second lead. From there, he stated that he put his machine on cruise control and decisively earned his fourth Pro class overall win in 2011.
"I got a better start in moto two and I got out front early so I just really put my head down for the first few laps and created a gap," he explained." I'm really glad to take the win and get a little more ahead in points."
Natalie, who trails his teammate by 10 points in the race for the title, put in an impressive performance of his own during the second moto. After coming out of the gate in sixth, he had moved into third place by lap three. After swapping positions with another rider over the next couple laps, Natalie made an uncharacteristic mistake and briefly fell back to fourth place before one final drive in the final laps pushed the former champion across the finish line into a hard-fought second place.
"I had just passed for second and I accidentally hit neutral and launched sideways off the jump," Natalie explained after moto two. "I got back around the third-place rider and then caught the second-place guy going up the step up. We had some great racing out there today and I am really glad to be up on the podium again."
Motoworks / Can-Am rookie pro
Chase Snapp was not able to repeat his podium glory from round six, but overcame some poor luck to notch another top 10 finish. His 8-9 moto score was good for ninth overall and helped the young racer maintain his fifth-place spot in the Pro class points race.
For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.
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