KTM Press Center
6/9/19
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Round 4 of the 2019 Sprint Hero Racing Series took place on Saturday in the unique setting of Cinder Hills OHV Park, a 13,500-acre area of volcanic cinder cones, craters and pine forest in Flagstaff, Arizona. FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Taylor Robert extended his win-streak to four-in-a-row with a 36-second victory after fighting his way back from an early crash.
The Sprint Hero Racing Series typically features a two-day race format consisting of three enduro-style tests and three motocross-style tests, where riders compete against the timeclock for a total of 12 tests over the course of the weekend. Taking advantage of the long summer days, Round 4 was combined into one day of racing, which totaled just over 50 minutes for Robert, the race-winner.
An Arizona native, Robert admittedly took some time to acclimate to the new type of terrain, which consisted of technical cinders, piney roots and dirt that was made of a sand-like consistency. He got off to a rough start after crashing in the opening test, which forced him to have to work his way through the field early on. He went on to win quite a few tests throughout the day, which allowed him to garner a 36-second lead by the end of the 12-tests.
Robert: “It was a pretty awesome weekend. The Cinder Hills OHV Park is easily one of the strangest places on earth to have a motorcycle race because it’s this decomposed volcanic rock about the size of green peas. The track was very uniquely technical as far as the cinders, they kind of acted like sand in a way but they were almost deeper than sand because they were lighter and looser. There were tons of pine tree roots and tons of shadows everywhere, so it was hard to see them all. I was able to come away happy and healthy and get another win on the season and I’m looking forward to having a summer break now.”
FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis rider Dante Oliveira rode his way to another podium finish on Saturday, claiming a solid third. KTM-mounted rider Gary Sutherlin finished just behind Oliveira in fourth.
Round 5: MMX, California – August 24-25, 2019
Overall Results – Round 4
- Taylor Robert, KTM, 50:15.117
- Zach Bell, KAW, +36.402
- Dante Oliveira, KTM, +34.672
- Gary Sutherlin, KTM, +28.511