The Riverglade MX round of the 2023 Canadian Triple Crown Series marked a consistent outing for KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team riders Ryder McNabb and Jess Pettis, with defending champion McNabb taking third overall in the 250 Pro Class, as Pettis also raced to a podium result in the 450 Pro Class.
Defending 250 Pro Class Champion McNabb opened the weekend by posting the third-fastest qualifying time, setting the tone early for racing at one of the more scenic events on the 2023 schedule.
Launching to a seventh-place start in the opening moto, McNabb would charge his way toward the front throughout the 14-lap affair, notching a second-place finish after a late push closer to the leader. A holeshot in the second moto set up for an epic 250 Pro Class contest, with the number one engaged in a race-long battle that eventuated in another P2 result.
McNabb’s 2-2 finishes see him extend his 250 Pro Class Championship points lead to 32 points over second place with two rounds remaining in the outdoor season.
Ryder McNabb, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 250 Rider: “Decent day here for me at the Riverglade National. Opening moto, I didn’t get a great start, but managed to charge my way through the field and up into second place. Second moto, got the start I needed, but just struggled a little bit in coming to terms with the track and getting comfortable. Overall, a good day – 2-2 in the motos and I extended my points-lead, so I’m happy with that.”
450 Pro Class challenger Pettis looked to carry his current form into the Riverglade round,and began the event by setting the second-fastest qualifying time. A pair of strong starts onboard his 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION led to two solid third place results across the two-moto format, as the British Colombian now shifts his sights to a personal series favourite in Deschambault next weekend.
Jess Pettis, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 450 Rider: “Consistent day here a Round 6, nothing too special on my end, although third overall is another good result for myself and the team. Onto one of my favorite races next weekend at Deschambault – the team and I will work hard in between now and then in pursuit of that overall win.”
For 250 Pro Class racer Kaven Benoit, this weekend marked a trying result as the veteran continues his recovery from a hard fall at the previous round. Still, former champion Benoit posted the sixth-fastest qualifying time, before racing to a ninth-place finish in moto one.
After making a difficult, yet calculated decision, the team and Benoit decided to sit out the second moto due to severe shoulder weakness, opting to kick-start the recovery process for the remainder of the championship.
Kaven Benoit, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 250 Rider: “Really disappointed today, as last weekend’s crashes left me with a body that was far from 100 percent. I gave it everything I had in moto one, but my shoulder just wasn’t strong enough to hold on. Ninth in that one isn’t where we wanted to be and, collectively, we decided to sit out the next moto. I wanted to be out there so badly, but it just wasn’t meant to be, so another week of healing ahead.”
Next Race: July 30 – Deschambault, QC
- From KTM Canada, Inc.
