2016 Mini O’s | Photo Report | Monday

By Billy Rainford

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We were off to the races today at the 45th Annual Thor Winter Olympics – The Mini O’s. It’s a couple days of Supercross to get the week going. There are quite a few Canadians down here racing but not all of them had motos today. We’ll do our best to cover all of them with at least a few photos. Here’s a look at some of the action from Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville, Florida.

You can follow along with the action at http://wintero.escoremx.com/liveresults.asp

 

 

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Big changes at Gatorback Cycle Park for 2016. Including this cool sign. There’s a completely new track where the trees used to be, they tweaked the SX track, and the MX track has all kinds of new things.

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But some things never change. Haha

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It’s been a little cool here lately and the nights have actually hit freezing! Nice year to bring a tent. Actually, it will be in the 80’s by mid-week. There’s no rain in the forecast so water is key. That dust is off the track.

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The SX track held up nicely, although there looked to be quite a number of ambulance calls. Par for the Supercross course, I guess.

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“The Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria…” These guys are just missing the Pinta.

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There are a good number of fast Canadians here this year, including #46 Marco Cannella.

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Mini dads at these big amateur events are a sub-culture in themselves.

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If he doesn’t know where the first turn is by now…

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The announcers are hoping this guy isn’t up at the front…

20161121-img_9147 Tristan Dares

I missed the first couple motos but got there in time to see #25 Tristan Dares get 18th in heat 1 of 85 (9-11). 

20161121-img_9148 Matthew Leblanc

Matthew Leblanc won his heat. There were 3 of them so Dares will have to hit an LCQ.

20161121-img_9149 Marcello Leodorico

I liked the aggressive style of young Marcello Leodorico.

20161121-img_9163 Preston Masciangelo

#22 Preston Masciangelo on his Suzuki got 8th in heat 3.

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#101 Matthew Cemovic took 16th in heat 1 of Supermini 1.

20161121-img_9165 Carson Mumford

My money is on #122 Carson Mumford to take the Supermini 1 class. He won his heat and looked solid.

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There is a lot of time for the nerves to creep in.

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So just sit back and relax. The races will happen.

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That’s #184 Tanner Ward eying up an opening on the inside.

20161121-img_9231 Marcus Phelps

I don’t know anything about #135 Marcus Phelps, but he flies!

20161121-img_9247 Tanner Ward

Tanner’s first race was red flagged on lap 2. He got a better start in the redo and finished 8th.

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#46 Marco Cannella was in the second Schoolboy 2 heat and got out to a top 10 start, but #82 Garrett Marchbanks was just too much for everyone.

20161121-img_9266 Marco Cannella

Marco picked off a couple riders and was up with the group. He also took 8th.

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#30 Jordan Jarvis passed her way into the lead and took the Girls (12-16) moto.

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#90 Landrey Hazen was at the TransCan this year. She finished 5th in Girls (9-11).

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This could have been worse in the +35 class as Barry Carsten had nowhere to go.

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He got up and tried to go again and then over-jumped HUUUGE and went over a fence. He made a good call to walk it off.

20161121-img_9286 Sean Cantrell

#37 Sean Cantrell led from wire to wire, but #402 Brandon Hartranft was on him.

20161121-img_9291 Brandon Hartranft

450 A could go either way.

20161121-img_9308 Challen Tennant

#71 Challen Tennant had troubles so watch for him the rest of the week in the top classes. He’s scored with a DNF in 450 A.

20161121-img_9313 Brandon Hartranft

Brandon getting his new FXR gear dirty!

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As the sun started to dip into the tree line, the question was just how far they’d make it into the schedule before shutting it down for the day.

20161121-img_9343 Haiden Deegan

#238 Haiden Deegan was running some extremely fast lap times out there in 65 (7-11). He won his heat going away and should be tough to beat.

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85 (12-13) Ltd heads out into the low sun. #428 Nathanael Thrasher took the win.

20161121-img_9403 Jalek Swoll

#352 Jalek Swoll took his Schoolboy 1 heat.

20161121-img_9415 Austin Black

#55 Austin Black came in from Oregon and was hauling tail in his Schoolboy 1 heat for the win.

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And that was it for Day 1 at the 2016 Thor Winter Olympics. We’re back at it as soon as the sun climbs over the horizon tomorrow morning.

Thanks to:

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