Women’s East Nationals – Round 2 Photo Report from Sand Del Lee

Photos and captions by Billy Rainford

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We were in our nation’s capital, Ottawa, for the second of three rounds of Women’s East Nationals. With defending champion #1 Duroy Racing KTM’s Eve Brodeur enforcing her dominance at the first round at Gopher Dunes the week before, the daunting task of the rest of the ladies was to try to put an end to her win streak – a daunting task.

#8 MX101 FXR Yamaha rider Allie Ague is always fast at her home track and the role of spoiler sat squarely on her shoulders. Co-captain of the spoiler crew was newcomer to the series #265 Brittany Gagne who drove 32 hours from Montana to race against the rider she was more than familiar with.

With 37 riders on the gate, the stage was set for round 2 at Sand Del Lee. They held the first moto back 30 minutes to allow the track to dry a little before sending the women out. Here’s a look at some of the racing action from a warm day in Ottawa.

Round 2 of the Women’s East Nationals featured these custom guitars for the top 3.

Co-organizer Leah Clarke put on another great event and 37 women lined up to race the track that is on most people’s top list of favourites.

We all had the feeling the winner would come from this section of riders right here.

The new rider was #265 Brittany Gagne who drove all the way from Montana to race her old friend and the rest.

The gate was ready for racing action. I hope we caught it on video, but Eve Brodeur actually gets her rear wheel spinning as the gate is about to drop.

Daryl Murphy makes sure everyone is set to go before the 30-second board is raised.

#75 MMRS Smith Asselstine’s rider Lindsay Bradley finished 17th overall with 19-16 motos.

#54 Vanessa Paquette finished one spot ahead with her consistent 16-15 motos.

#31 Tech Care Suspension TCD rider Heather Bennett was in a great battle to the flag in the second moto with #3 St. Laurant Radiology Lecheys KTM rider Abbrielle Tardelli and #4 PLX Sport Spracklin Performance TLD’s Cassandra Belanger. 15-11 gave her 13th.

#43 Ventalition Benoit Leveille Sport Alaine rider Emilie-Jade Leveille just missed the top 10 with 10-13 motos.

Luck wasn’t on #3 Tardelli’s side as she went down at the beginning of both motos leaving her scrambling to chase down the frontrunners. Her 12-10 motos for 10th overall were great, all things considered.

We weren’t sure if we’d see #79 W1P Momma K Racing Suzuki rider Kassie Boone at any more of the rounds. She made the trip to Ottawa and although she fell in turn one of moto one she finished 9th overall with 11-8 motos.

#92 Nikki Voorhees made the trip north and was in some great battles throughout the day. 8-5 put her 7th.

#887 Braap Supply A&A 100% rider Madi Seguin battled #5 Alexandra Raymond in both motos and finished 5-7 for 6th.

Duroy Racing KBS Motovan KTM rider Raymond tied Seguin for points but took 5th spot with 6-6 motos.

#6 Laliberte Motosport Forma Family rider Kim Normandin got off to good starts and used them to battle hard both motos to 4-4 (4th) motos.

#265 Brittany Gagne got out to a top 10 start in moto 1 but went down in the second leaving her chasing the entire moto. She had the raw speed to make it up to 3rd in both motos for 3rd overall.

Local rider #8 MX101 FXR Yamaha rider Allie Argue was in the fight all day but just didn’t have the speed to beat Brodeur. Her 2-2 gave her runner-up spot.

It’s looking like Eve Brodeur may just run the table in defense of her title. We move to Ulverton in 3 weeks and I don’t think it will be any easier for the rest to beat her on that very European track.