Team LaVallee Battles Brutal Arctic Conditions in Shakopee, Minnesota

Performance under pressure in one of the coldest rounds of the season.

Longville, MN (January 27, 2026) – Team LaVallee returned to competition this weekend at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota under some of the most extreme conditions we’ve seen so far of the 2026 season, as a sudden Arctic blast settled over the region and transformed the race weekend into a true test of endurance, preparation, and resolve.

Just weeks after unseasonably warm temperatures forced the cancellation of the Deadwood, South Dakota event, winter returned in full force. A polar vortex drove temperatures as low as minus-25 degrees, creating brutally cold conditions throughout midwest. The frigid temperatures challenged both riders and machines alike — from frozen components and reduced hand mobility to the physical toll of racing in subzero temps.

Friday Night Results – PRO Round 5 Recap

Friday’s racing unfolded on a demanding track where precision was rewarded and mistakes were costly. Both Team LaVallee riders faced challenging starts but worked methodically to gain positions through each round.

In Round 1, Peterson secured a 4th-place finish in Heat 1, while Bester finished 6th in Heat 2. While starts were not ideal, both riders pushed forward, fighting to make up ground in the freezing conditions.

Round 2 showed improvement, with Peterson finishing 3rd in Heat 1 and Bester close behind in 5th. A sharp right-hand turn proved especially difficult as extreme cold began to affect hand and forearm mobility — a common challenge across the field. Team LaVallee made key adjustments heading into the Final to counter the conditions.

In the Friday night Final, Peterson got an excellent start and quickly settled into 2nd place. Midway through the race, a developing brake issue forced him to manage the remainder of the event under increasingly difficult circumstances. Despite the setback, Peterson battled to the finish, earning a strong 6th-place result. Starting from the back row, Bester steadily built momentum as the race progressed, charging through the field with calculated passes. His push resulted in an impressive 4th-place finish in front of his hometown crowd in Shakopee.

Saturday – PRO Round 6 Recap

Team LaVallee closed out the weekend Saturday night with determined performances in the Pro class as both riders battled through another brutally cold evening at Canterbury Park.

In Round 1, both riders showed strong early speed, with Bester earning an excellent 3rd-place finish, followed closely by teammate Peterson in 4th as the pair positioned themselves well in the stacked Pro field.

Round 2 proved more challenging, with both riders finishing 7th in their respective heats, sending them to the back row for the Final and setting the stage for a hard-charging race.

Lining up deep in the field aboard their Team LaVallee Polaris Red Bull sleds, both riders had their work cut out for them. As the green light flew, Peterson and Bester put their heads down and settled into the rhythm of the 10-minute plus one lap Final, navigating traffic and executing calculated passes through the pack. By the checkered flag, Peterson charged forward to an impressive 7th-place finish, while Bester continued his push to round out the weekend with a notable 9th-place result, capping off a gritty and hard-fought Round 6.

Sport Class - Cody Moras

Cody Moras, rookie Sport class rider for Team LaVallee, continued to show steady progression this weekend, carrying momentum from his previous hometown race just two weeks prior.

With Sport Round 2 racing removed due to frigid temperatures for both Rounds 5 and 6 in Shakopee, the stacked Sport field placed an even greater emphasis on execution and consistency. Moras finished 6th in Round 1, which sent him to the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). Rising to the challenge, Moras delivered a strong ride in the LCQ, earning a 2nd-place finish and transferring into the Final. In the Friday night Final, Moras rode smooth and composed in the extreme cold, maintaining consistency throughout the race. His effort resulted in an impressive 8th-place finish, marking his best result to date in the Sport class.

On Saturday for Round 6, with Sport Round 2 once again removed due to extreme cold, execution in early rounds was critical. Cody Moras delivered a solid performance in Round 1, earning a 4th-place finish. Without a Round 2 to advance directly, Moras was required to battle through the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). Rising to the challenge, he secured a 3rd-place finish in the LCQ, transferring into the Sport Final from the back row. Facing a deep and highly competitive field, Moras remained focused and consistent in the Saturday night Final, pushing through the pack to earn an 11th-place finish, successfully rounding out a strong weekend of progress in Shakopee.

Up next: VALCOURT, QUEBEC NATIONAL

Canterbury Park - February 14-15, 2026