Defending 250 Pro Class Champion Ryder McNabb has continued his blistering form in the 2023 Canadian Triple Crown Series, the KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team rider capturing his fourth overall win in five starts at Round 5 of the season, as 250 Pro Class teammate Kaven Benoit finished fifth, and Jess Pettis took P2 overall in the 450 Pro Class.
After securing the fourth-fastest time in qualifying, McNabb launched his KTM 250 SX-F to a top-three start in the opening moto, before making a pass for the lead on lap five. From there it was clear sailing for the red plate-holder, who stretched his advantage to over 22 seconds by race’s end.
The second moto began with McNabb in P2 after the opening lap, with a race-long dual resulting in a second-place finish by a margin of 0.867s following the 16-lap encounter. With a 1-2 scorecard, McNabb sealed his fourth 250 Pro Class overall for the year, and increased his series lead to 25 points.
Ryder McNabb, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 250 Rider: “I had a pretty good day out here at Sand Del Lee! Good starts in both motos, and the track turned out pretty good with the warm weather we had here – though it did end up being pretty one-lined. That made it hard to pass [Mitchell] Harrison in the second moto, but he rode great, and overall to finish 1-2 here and extend my championship points lead, I’m pumped.”
Former 250 Pro Class title-winner Benoit’s day began by setting the third-fastest qualifying time, before charging into the lead during the opening moto. The returning veteran would show great speed throughout both motos, however, his day would be marred by crashes as he ended with a 3-9 moto scorecard for fifth overall.
Kaven Benoit, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 250 Rider: “Really rough day at work for me here at Sand Del Lee… Got pretty banged up today with two bad crashes, which made for a day to forget. I’ll need to let myself recover now over the week and hopefully we’ll be feeling alright for next weekend to keep up the fight.”
450 Pro Class contender Pettis continued his impressively consistent form at Round 5 of the championship with the P3 qualifying time. He managed to lead the entire first moto until an untimely fall on the final lap relegated him to second position, before another hard-fought second place finish in moto two resulted in a P2 finish overall for the weekend.
Pettis holds down second position in the 450 Pro Class championship standings, maintaining pressure on the series leader with three rounds remaining in the MX Tour.
Jess Pettis, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 450 Rider: “Round 5 here in Sand Del Lee, there were big steps in the right direction for me. Led the entire first moto and then dropped it on the last lap, and then was right in the fight there for the second moto, for 2-2 on the day. There was a lot of progress made, so I’m stoked!”
Results 450 Pro Class – Sand Del Lee MX
1. Dylan Wright (CAN), Honda, 1-1
2. Jess Pettis (CAN), KTM, 2-2
3. Daniel Elmore (CAN), GAS, 4-3
OTHER KTM
10. Ryan Derry (CAN), KTM
13. Parker Eales (CAN), KTM
14. Max Filipek (CAN), KTM
16. Seth Hughes (CAN), KTM
22. Anthony Spadaccini (CAN), KTM
23. Brendan Sipple (USA), KTM
25. Jordan Melanson (CAN), KTM
28. Cale Kuchnicki (USA), KTM
32. Anthony Lebel (CAN), KTM
33. Michael Fowler (CAN), KTM
36. Talan Hansen (CAN), KTM
Results 250 Pro Class – Sand Del Lee MX
1. Ryder McNabb (CAN), KTM, 1-2
2. Mitchell Harrison (USA), GAS, 4-1
3. Josiah Natzke (NZL), KAW, 2-3
OTHER KTM
5. Kaven Benoit (CAN), KTM
15. Clayton Schmuki (CAN), KTM
18. Danny Perry (USA), KTM
21. Tristan Dares (CAN), KTM
23. Bryce Wadge (CAN), KTM
24. Leith Ness (CAN), KTM
25. Corentin Dietz (CAN), KTM
27. Justin Barnhart (CAN), KTM
33. Kyle Dillin (CAN), KTM
34. John Myers (USA), KTM
39. Jimmy Decotis (USA), KTM
Next Race: July 23 – Moncton, NB
- From KTM Canada, Inc.
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