GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Marissa Markelon wrapped up the 2014 AMA Women's Motocross Championship (WMX) series with a strong 1-1 performance at the eighth and final round of the series at Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville, Florida on Saturday. The race was held in conjunction with this year's Thor Winter Olympics, which is traditionally held over Thanksgiving week.
Markelon came into the series finale sitting two points behind defending champ Mackenzie Tricker, and five points ahead of Kylie Fasnacht, and all three riders ran at the front of both of the motos over the weekend. Markelon, however, was able to work her way past both riders in each race for the double win.
"All three of us were running up front in the first moto, and I was able to take an inside line to pass Kylie," said Markelon. "After that, I caught Mackenzie and I just rode smart and when I had the chance I made the nicest pass I've ever made. I had the inside through the whoops, and I just put my front tire underneath her and made the pass."
Markelon ran in second behind Tricker early in the second moto, as well, however, when Tricker went down at mid-moto, Markelon took control of the race and led Fasnacht to the finish for her second win of the day.
In the end, Markelon was first overall with two moto wins, while Fasnacht went 2-2 for second overall. Marissa Polencheck posted a 4-3 moto tally for third overall and Shelby Rolen was 5-4 for fourth.
Tricker overcame two second-moto crashes to go 3-6 for fifth overall.
In the final standings, Markelon finished with 270 points to claim the title, with Fasnacht finishing second in the standings with 259, one point ahead of Tricker at 258.
"It feels amazing, especially after the season I've had," said Markelon, who suffered a DNF in one moto in Texas, and then had transmission problems at the round in California. "I wasn't even thinking about the championship at the start of the series, but then after I took two wins in New Jersey I knew I had a shot."
Round Eight Results
1. Marissa Markelon KAW (1-1)
2. Kylie Fasnacht SUZ (2-2)
3. Marissa Polencheck KTM (4-3)
4. Shelby Rolen KAW (5-4)
5. Mackenzie Tricker YAM (3-6)
6. Amanda Brown HON (6-5)
7. Amanda Sokalski KAW (9-7)
8. Amber Felicio HON (8-8)
9. Madison Seguin KTM (7-9)
10. Cierra Busby YAM (10-11)
2014 WMX Final Standings
1. Marissa Markelon (270)
2. Kylie Fasnacht (259)
3. Mackenzie Tricker (258)
4. Shelby Rolen (186)
5. Amber Felicio (166)
6. Amanda Brown (160)
7. Amanda Sokalski (118)
8. Gladys Limbaugh (110)
9. Christel Allen (78)
