The 41st Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is officially up and running. Day one from Loretta Lynn Ranch took place Tuesday, August 2, with the first of three rounds of motos playing out, which will eventually determine 36 AMA National Champions by the end of the week.
So far, the weather is typical here—hot and humid but no rain so far.
Ryder DiFrancesco got his Loretta Lynn’s week started with a win in Open Pro Sport. Photos: Align Media
The Open Pro Sport class was one of the highlights of the day. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated showdown between rivals Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Ryder DiFrancesco and Team Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas didn’t quite pan out. Hymas had a bad start and would later fall, letting DiFrancesco focus on leader Heath Harrison on the Phoenix Racing Honda.
DiFrancesco eventually found his stride, got out in front, and led the way to the finish. Hymas finished deep in the field.
Gage Linville (Pure Outlaw Yamaha) later worked his way into second, where he would finish the moto ahead of Gavin Towers (NSA Yamaha Factory Amateur Team), Cole Martinez (Monster Energy/SlamLife Racing Honda) and Patrick Murphy (Yamaha).
In 250 B, MJ Racing KTM’s Matti Jorgensen took the win, followed by Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Preston Boespflug and NSA Yamaha Factory Amateur Team’s Evan Ferry.
Mike Brown was a double winner in 40+ and 50+.
Monster Energy/Star/Yamaha Racing’s Haiden Deegan was in this one, as well, but was forced to retire early with a mechanical when he and Ferry got too close, and Ferry’s footpeg destroyed Deegan’s rear spokes.
Former Pro Motocrosser Mike Brown came away with a pair of wins in the Senior 40+ and Masters 50+ divisions. Kris Keefer was second in Senior 40+ and John Grewe took runner-up honors in Masters 50+.