April 5, 2023 The final stop of the 2022/2023 was back to a familiar location in Iowa. Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, Iowa was the host to rounds 15 and 16 and with a mix of thunderstorms and warm temps leading up to the race weekend, the track at Sundown held-out for the final race of the season.
2022 Rookie of the Year; Adam Peterson (PRO) was ready for the Pro Triple Crown platform to continue for Rounds 15 and 16 in Dubuque, despite having a bruised and enflamed ankle from the Michigan National and with the help of the FXR Mobile Medical crew taping Peterson’s ankle, it was time to go Triple Crown racing. As the green light went for the first round of Pro racing, ripping out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled, Peterson came out mid-pack. Peterson continued to charge hard from sixth place, but a tough off and was stuck underneath his snowmobile. As officials came to help Peterson, the clock was ticking down, and Peterson finished out in 10th place.
After regaining his composure and getting his sled all set again, it was time for Round 2. Peterson came out off of the line towards the back of the pack. However, Peterson was putting on heavy pressure and was battling for a couple spots but another tough off caused Peterson to fall back and finish out in the 9th place spot.
For the final race, Round 3 of the night, Peterson ripped to of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull and went to work. Peterson continued to ride incredibly strong, after all of the diversity in Rounds 1 and 2, was able to finish out the 3rd Round in the notable 6th place spot. The Triple Crown tallies were added up and Peterson finished Round 15 in the 9th place overall.
On Sunday, Triple Crown Round 16, Peterson was ready to take on the final day of racing. On the line for the Triple Crown Round 1, Peterson did not have the start he was hoping for but he and his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled went right to work. Coming from the 8th place spot on lap one, Peterson worked his way up to the 6th place spot and with two minutes to go, Peterson made an impressive pass finishing out Round 1 in the 5th place spot!
For Round 2, Peterson came off the line in the 7th place position and continued to ride smart, smooth and consistent. As the clock was winding down, Peterson moved a position and was able to finish out Round 2 in the 6th place spot.
Going into the Final Round of the Dubuque National and as the green light went for the final race of the night, Peterson came out of the gates mid-pack. Peterson continued to put on heavy pressure all throughout the final race of the season and finished 6th in Round 3. As the tallies were added up for Triple Crown Round 16 racing, Peterson rounded out the weekend in the impressive overall 5th place spot.
Peterson finished in 6th place overall in the 2023 Snocross Pro Class.
Pro Lite rider, Ryley Bester who has had eight podium finishes this season, was ready to take on the challenging track that Dubuque had to offer for the Final 2023 Snocross Rounds 15 and 16. In Pro Lite qualifying, Bester, continued his trend for ripping impressive holeshots on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled and had picture perfect qualifying with winning both of his qualifying rounds. Under the lights, Saturday night for Round 15 Pro Lite Final, Bester and his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled rocketed out of the gates, ripping the holeshot and straight into the first place spot. As the track continued to change as the laps were winding down, Bester continued to ride smart, smooth and consistent as he navigated through lappers and held on to that first place spot. This was a perfect day of racing for Bester, with winning his qualifying rounds and his final, a moment he had worked hard for all season! Congratulations to Ryley taking the top spot on the box! This marks Bester’s ninth podium of the season!
For Sunday’s Round 16 and final day of racing, Bester had another perfect day of qualifying with winning both of his respective qualifying rounds, allowing him the number one gate pick for the Round 16 final, Sunday afternoon. For the final Pro Lite race of the season, Bester had a great start going up the hill and over the table-top and came out into the 2nd place spot, along side Team LaVallee’s, Andy Lieders. As Bester and Lieders continued to battle for 1st, both riders had gained a 7 second lead over the rest of the pack. As the clock was winding down for the 8 minute plus 1 lap final and with about 3 laps to go, Bester was swapping positions for the third place spot and with two laps to go, the leader (Andy Lieders) went down. Bester had moved up, but then another unfortunate incident happened where Bester got tangled with a stalled sled on the track. With minimal time left, track officials had to help Bester get untangled and after re-entering the race, Bester made an incredible pass and finished out the final race of the season in the exciting 2nd place spot! Congratulations, Ryley, with marking this your tenth podium of the season!
Bester finished in 2nd place overall in the 2023 Snocross Pro Lite Class.
PRO AM Plus rider, Andy Lieders, had a stacked weekend ahead of him with signing up for the Pro AM Plus 30 Class on Saturday and for Sunday, running in the Pro Lite Class. On Saturday, for Pro AM Plus 30, Lieders had great qualifying with a win and 4th place finish in his qualifying rounds. As the green light went for the final Pro AM Plus 30 final of the season, Lieders ripped an amazing holeshot on his Team LaVallee, Polaris sled and was looking to wrap up his final race of the season with a final victory round, however a last-lap crash caused Lieders to drop back to the 6th place position. Despite the tough final race, Lieders still earned the title of 2023 Pro AM Plus Champion! Congratulations Andy!
For Sunday, in Pro Lite, Lieders and his Team LaVallee, Polaris sled was a force to be reckoned with. Lieders, who was looking very comfortable in the Pro Lite class, ripped every single holeshot on Sunday, and taking two first place finishes in his qualifying rounds. For the final Pro Lite race of the Season, Lieders ripped another impressive holeshot (just ahead of teammate, Ryley Bester) and was looking to take the win in Dubuque. As the laps were counting down, and holding on to the first place spot for nearly the entire race, Lieders made a small mistake which would cost him. Lieders found the high side of berm and tipped his sled on its side. This allowed a few riders to pass him, but Lieders re-entered the race quickly and was still able to take a podium spot in the impressive 3rd place. Congratulations, Andy!!
Lieders finished in 1st place overall and is your 2023 Snocross Pro AM Plus 30 Champion.
Up next: Levi Tri 5 - Giants Ridge, Biwabik, MN - APRIL 15, 2023
