Photo by James Lissimore
Championships, Challenges and Character For Yamalube Schrader’s SMX Racing Women’s National rider Denaye Giroux, it was and it wasn’t the finish she was looking for. The first moto of the final round of the Women’s National in Edmonton had to be the most exciting race this season, bar none! Denaye came roaring out of the gate with the hole shot and didn’t look back. She couldn’t, as there was a field of 40 women looking to hunt her down. Series leader Haily Larson quickly made her way through the pack as her perfect record was on the line. “I knew Haily was on me very quickly,” said Denaye. “I was determined that there was no way she was getting around me this time!”
Photo by James Lissimore What ensued was a perfectly executed battle on Denaye’s behalf. “ Haily was constantly showing Denaye her wheel, trying to cut inside and take different lines,” said team owner/manager Jackie Maffenbeier. “You could see Denaye thinking and planning the whole race. She protected her inside line well and had great hook up with her powerful Yamalube Schrader’s 250F Yamaha, Dunlop tires and amazing suspension by SSS Suspension and Joe Skidd. Right down to the last turn into the finish line was heart stopping. Denaye really showed her experience and skills in that moto.”
Photo by James Lissimore The second moto had Denaye jump into the lead again with her second hole shot of the day. The girls at the front were battling hard and this time Haily Larson managed to get Denaye on an inside corner. Denaye finished moto 2 in second for a second overall on the day and second overall in the series.
Photo by James Lissimore “We’re proud of Denaye and her accomplishments in this short Women’s series,” said team owner/manager Randy Maffenbeier. “ We look forward to Walton where Denaye will be able to compete against the Eastern women and hopefully will be able to keep her National number 1 plate.”
Photo by James Lissimore Yamalube Schrader’s SMX Rider Shawn Maffenbeier was flying high again in Edmonton. Some good starts and great battles on the track saw Shawn with a 6th place finish in moto 1. “It felt good. Everything was working well and I was able to get into a comfortable groove,” said Shawn. The second moto was a little tougher start and Shawn came through with a 9th place finish for a 7th overall on the day.
Yamalube MX 101 rider Shawn Robinson was unable to ride in Edmonton due to surgery. “Shawn actually broke his Hand in Kamloops and still rode in Calgary getting his best result ever with a 9th place moto finish,” said team owner/manager Jackie Maffenbeier. “ We were finally able to convince him to go to the doctors and
he had to fly home to Gatineau, Que. For surgery where they placed 3 pins in his hand. With the healing he has done over the break we had been hopeful that he’d be back for Gopher Dunes but we wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to do further damage. The doctors gave him clearance and Shawn was ready to go.”
Photo by James Lissimore Shawn Robinson came out hard in the first moto ready to make up for lost time. “ Coming back from a hand injury onto one of the toughest tracks in the series is definitely a challenge,” said Robinson. “ I was pleased with the level of my conditioning and the strength in my hand will only improve.” Moto 2 saw Robinson have a hard crash ending his work for the day.
Photo by James Lissimore Yamalube Schrader’s SMX Racing rider Shawn Maffenbeier came into the first Eastern round with healed from injuries and ready to make an impact. The first moto had Shawn get a decent top 10 start when he was taken out from behind. By the time Shawn recovered he was dead last but managed to work his way up to 19th in the moto. Moto 2 saw Shawn with another top 10 start and Shawn was on his way. He was in 7th place and was challenging for 6th when a lapper crossed into his line taking him out. Shawn was able to get up right away having lost only one spot. The crash caused bike damage and not long after on a jump Shawn landed with what he had hoped was a straight wheel, but he ended up cross rutted and crashed hard where another bike landed on him.
Photo by James Lissimore “It wasn’t the start I wanted in the East,” said Maffenbeier. “It has been an unusually challenging season so far, but I’m positive that the next 4 rounds will be successful.” Looking forward to Ste. Julie has both Shawn’s determined to get into and stay in the top ten. Shawn Maffenbeier and Shawn Robinson are sitting 11th and 14th respectively heading into the next round this weekend.