Round 5 Winter AM: GATORBACK
Author: Kaelyn Sheedy	Regional Reports | Tuesday, 29 January 2008 05:32

This past Sunday rounded out the second to last race of the Winter AM Series held at Gatorback. For some riders this weekend was their third time racing this track since Mini O's. Having the upper hand over competition is key, and it's safe to say the performances we've seen from many riders already this year have been impressive.

As Spring Nationals draw near the question still remains, who should we expect to see on the podium? This local Florida Series gives us a small taste of the young talent we expect to see in Texas, but that's not all, we can certainly bank on far more prospects to attend. With that in mind, heres the run down on this past weekend at Gatorback.

(below) Adam Cianciarulo 92, out on his blazing fast Kawasaki earned a well deserved two overall wins in the 85 JR MINI (9-13) and 85cc(7-11) classes. AC is on the gas! If he continues to keep his bike pinned, we except to see great results in Texas!

(below) Michael Stryker 445, out of New Paltz, NY has been missing in action. Why haven't we seen much of him? He has just fully recovered from a knee injury and is now back in race mode. Stryker had a little extra something for the 611 of Nick Myers during the second moto of the day. Stryker passed the fellow Suzuki rider for first place shortly before the checkered flag, securing himself this weekend's 16/24 class overall win!

Steven Clarke 511, is one of a kind. His English fans must be proud! Steven has been riding up front for most of this series, but if anyone is going to put a stop to that it's the 277 of Taylor Futrell. Grabbing a few hole shots, and taking the lead, Taylor has the jump on Clarke and knows what it takes to win. He's done it before and he took the last moto win in the 125A Class again this weekend. It's always a good race between these two riders.


(below) Sean Lipanovich 50 went into this weekend confident and left with the overall wins in the 250 Open class and 250/500 B class.


The 125 Open class was a toss up after Sean Lipanovich had a DNS in the third moto, Drew Torrence was a threat, Nick Myers, Leo Quntanilla, and Steven Squire all could have all snatched up the win, but Jimmy Decotis 3 (below) took the last moto first place and that earned himself the overall for this class!

Skyler Demuth 23 and Jordan Bailey 133 put it all out on the line this weekend. Both of these tough 50 riders had a pretty consistent run this weekend. Bailey went 2-2-1 for the overall in the 50 Open class. Demuth finished first overall in the 50 STK (7-8) class with Jordan right on his tail! Keep up the good work guys!

The 50 STK (4-6) Class had a good turn out all 6 riders showed up and were ready to race! Cullin Park won that big first place plaque and Jackson Turpin 10 was right there behind him in second place.

(below) Bubba Crosby 351 and Cody Robbins 8 seemed to always be up in the top 5 mix all weekend. Each having a couple tough motos, they both were working hard and putting in solid rides. Crosby finished third in the 125 B class and third in the 250/500 B class. Robbins finished second in the 200/500 B class and third in the Youth 4STK (14-16) class.

(below) Zach Freeberg 27 has skipped out on the past couple rounds of this series but showed up at Gatorback hauling. He went 3-4-3 for second overall.


(below) Jay Weller 557, has been having a tough series. Whether it be bike problems or poor starts, Jay just hasn't seemed to have a really solid weekend. Weller pulled it all together this round and finished third over all in the 250/500 Pro class and second in the 250/500 A class, he is really digging deep.


(below) Trevor Donie 555, and Alex Martin 144 have made a name for themselves in the A class. Both riders for the past couple weekends have put themselves right up there in the mix battling it out until the very last lap. They both have put in some phenomenal finishes. Martin went 4-3 for second over all and Donie went 3-4 for third overall in the Pro 125 class this weekend.


(below) Alex Martin took home the over all win in the 250/500 A class. Keep an eye out for these guys, they have the talent to make it on the podiumin Texas.

(below) Stephen Gretchen 561 aboard his KTM has had great finishes the past couple weekends and to top it off he rounded out the 5th race of the series with two overalls in the 65 Open class and the 65 (10-11) Class.


(below) Ricky Renner 75 finished first every moto taking home the Four Stroke class win on Sunday afternoon. Bubba Crosby was not far behind finishing second overall with Ryan Vold and Stephen Stella up in the mix as well.


In the Women's class, Lydia Greiner 32, Brianna Mahon 56, and Abbie Bardo 20 all had a taste of first place. Lydia Greiner went 2-3-1 this weekend sweeping up the overall win in the Women's Class and Brianna Mahon scored herself second place over all finishing 4-1-2.

Abbie Bardo(below) out of Canton, PA has been struggling to stay on two wheels let alone out front for the past couple weekends. She's pulling it together and finally putting herself up front where she belongs. Finishing 1-2-4 for third overall, we know she'll be a top Women's threat come March.


Johnny Wasco 09, out of VA has been spending the winter down south to ride and train, something he wouldn't be able to do back home. Wasco was finally able to have a really strong weekend, he went a consistent 2-2-2 in the 250 Open class to score himself second overall.

Justin Barcia 51 and Ian Trettel 119 were battling it out again for the 5th weekend in a row! Justin ran away with lead early in the motos setting himself up for a good weekend.

(below) Trettel was able to score himself some good starts and the lead for a few laps.

Barcia won the 125 Youth (12-15),125 B and Youth 4STK (14-16) overalls. Ian held his pace and was able to stay a few bike lengths away from Justin quite a few times this weekend. Barcia may be be winning all these motos, but if anyone, Ian has what it takes to win. If he can perfect his line choice and capitalize on Barcia's minimal mistakes, we can expect to see some intense bar to bar racing!

(below) Local Floridian Justin Summers 444, set himself up for the overall win early when he won the two first motos in Supermini. Summers 444, Gannon Audette 533, Cole Thompson 16 and Jason Benny 99 were all battling it out for that first place spot come the last moto.

(below) If you didn't know Cole Thompson 16, a Suzuki rider out of Brigden Ontario Canada, you should now! He finished first over all in the 85 (14-15) class and went 4-2-3 for third over all in Supermini.

(below) It was some good racing in the 85 (12-13) class. Tyler McSwain 47 out of Shelby, NC and Justin Summers 444 raced until the finish line in a couple motos. Both riders are riding exceptionally well, they are two contenders we should belooking out for at Whitney!

(below) Stephen Stella 343, out of Westminister, Maryland finished third over all in the 125 A class, placing 3-4-3, coincidence? I think not. Hard work? Yes! He has had some good motos this entire series, a little more of this constancy and he'll put himself up front with the top runners every race.

That's all from this weekend, see you at Waldo. Until then, take care. -Kaelyn!