Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha’s Jason Thomas Scores Second-Straight GNCC Podium
September 30, 2008, 2:30pm
CORONA, CA – Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha’s Jason Thomas tamed the black mud of a well-soaked Unadilla Valley Sports Center MX track and woods surrounding the facility at round 11 of the 13-round 2008 Can-Am Grand Nationals Cross Country Series, placing 3rd overall in the XC2 class – his second-straight podium finish following the summer break.
Though 11 races Fred Andrews’ powerhouse Monster Energy-backed XC2 team has all four riders ranked in the overall top 15 in points with two, Dustin Gibson and Josh Weisenfels, ranked in the top five (2nd and 5th, respectively). Dave Snyder is in 13th and, having only raced four GNCCs, Thomas is in 14th – with a win and three podiums!
Sunday’s heavy rain caused havoc on the hilly course that combined both woods and open field riding along with Unadilla’s legendary motocross track – making for one of the better spectator-friendly races on the season. The first lap would cause some problems, specifically for Gibson and Snyder, both of who got stuck outside the top 15.
By lap two Thomas was flying and moved up three spots (from 6th) and into podium position – a spot he’d hold on to through the white flag, then taking 2nd place into the woods. When Thomas re-appeared on the MX track, he was in 3rd place and that’s the position he’d hold through the checkers.
Charging from the back of the pack was Gibson, who moved all the way into the top ten despite the torrential conditions. Snyder moved up as well, from 15th to 12th. “I had trouble from the start and could never get it together all day,” said Gibson.
And Thomas might have had 2nd place had he not run into a obstacle that was giving him some problems. “I had a lot of fun out there today, just tried not to get stuck,” he said. “After I got into 2nd place I got stuck on a hill that I had trouble with all day. But the racing’s not over until the checkered flag and I gave it all I had, but ended up with 3rd.”
Though 11 races Fred Andrews’ powerhouse Monster Energy-backed XC2 team has all four riders ranked in the overall top 15 in points with two, Dustin Gibson and Josh Weisenfels, ranked in the top five (2nd and 5th, respectively). Dave Snyder is in 13th and, having only raced four GNCCs, Thomas is in 14th – with a win and three podiums!
Sunday’s heavy rain caused havoc on the hilly course that combined both woods and open field riding along with Unadilla’s legendary motocross track – making for one of the better spectator-friendly races on the season. The first lap would cause some problems, specifically for Gibson and Snyder, both of who got stuck outside the top 15.
By lap two Thomas was flying and moved up three spots (from 6th) and into podium position – a spot he’d hold on to through the white flag, then taking 2nd place into the woods. When Thomas re-appeared on the MX track, he was in 3rd place and that’s the position he’d hold through the checkers.
Charging from the back of the pack was Gibson, who moved all the way into the top ten despite the torrential conditions. Snyder moved up as well, from 15th to 12th. “I had trouble from the start and could never get it together all day,” said Gibson.
And Thomas might have had 2nd place had he not run into a obstacle that was giving him some problems. “I had a lot of fun out there today, just tried not to get stuck,” he said. “After I got into 2nd place I got stuck on a hill that I had trouble with all day. But the racing’s not over until the checkered flag and I gave it all I had, but ended up with 3rd.”
