The KTM Thor Racing team expends both championship leads

On the most demanding track of the season, the KTM Thor Racing Team was once again able to stand out and grab valuable championship points in MX1 and MX2. Davi Millsaps and Kaven Benoit showed great speed in the deep sand, while Cole Thompson charged hard to finish 1-1 and catch another overall win in the lites class.

MX2 rider Cole Thompson started the day by setting a good qualifying time and headed to the gate with confidence. Unfortunately, Thompson got caught up with other riders on the start, immediately setting him back to 34th place. Thompson made an amazing comeback by putting his head down and picking off riders one by one. At the end of the moto, he had truly earned his spot on the highest step of the podium. In the second moto, Thompson spent the race battling in the top three before taking control of the lead position on the last lap. He finished the day with a perfect score of 1-1.

“I was pretty nervous in the morning because I haven’t had the best luck with Gopher Dunes in the past,” said Thompson. “I worked really hard and it felt great to win in front of all those people that have been supporting me for years.”

Davi Millsaps charges down the track at Gopher Dunes.

The whoops did not seem to be a problem for Davi Millsaps last weekend. — James Lissimore photo

Millsaps got off to a good start in the first MX1 moto of the day. Within a couple of laps he found himself leading the pack and pulling away. A few small mistakes put him back to third place where he finished in Moto 1. In the second race of the day, Millsaps didn’t get the start he had wished for and had to play catch-up. He eventually finished in a well-deserved second place, which gave him his 10th podium finish in a row. Despite everything, Millsaps still made top three overall and kept the championship lead by 35 points.

“I knew it would be the toughest weekend of the year for me as I can’t remember the last time I raced in such a sandy track,” said Millsaps. “I’m happy to leave the Dunes with two more podiums and I’m looking forward to the next eastern tracks.”

Also in the MX1 class, Kaven Benoit showed everyone how comfortable he is in the deep sand and impressed the crowd in both races. Benoit almost got the holeshot in the first moto of the day and quickly made the pass for first place. Unfortunately, a mid-race crash set him back to fifth place where he would stay until he got the checkered flag. Benoit got another good start in Moto 2 and set the fastest lap time of the race. Benoit finished in fourth, giving him an overall position of fifth place.

“It’s a learning year for me and as much as I hate making mistakes, each time I do I learn from it,” said Benoit. “I’m improving every weekend, and riding in front of the pack the last two races has given me a big confidence boost.”

With all eyes set on the MX1 and MX2 championships, the KTM Thor Racing Team will travel to Ulverton, Quebec, for the sixth round of the CMRC motocross national series.