Team LaVallee Battles Storms⚡and Tight Championship Points Race at Elk River National

Kristen LaVallee
10 minutes ago
4 min read

Longville, MN (March 10, 2026) - As the 2026 Snocross season begins to wind down and the championship points race grows tighter by the round, the series returned to the Midwest for the Elk River National at ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minnesota. Battling unseasonably warm temperatures, rain, thunder and lightning, track crews worked tirelessly to keep the track race-ready. Despite the challenging conditions, SNOCROSS and ERX once again delivered the “Best Show on Snow”, setting the stage for two nights of high-intensity racing.

FRIDAY PRO ROUND 11

ROUND 1

Heat 1 – Ryley Bester

Bester got a solid start near the front of the pack and quickly settled into a battle for a top-three position. Running fourth early in the race, he dropped back after being passed by another rider but remained composed and held his line, finishing the heat in 5th place.

Heat 2: Adam Peterson

Peterson had an excellent start on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled and was able to tuck inside and come out in the exciting 2nd-place position. He stayed close to the leader throughout the race, applying steady pressure and crossed the line with a strong 2nd-place finish.

ROUND 2

Heat 2 - Peterson and Bester

After a 30+ minute delay due to lightning, racing resumed with both Bester and Peterson launching hard off the start. The two riders came through the opening laps, with Bester running in 3rd and Peterson in 5th early in the race. As the laps progressed, Bester slipped back to 5th, while Peterson continued battling to gain a position. With two laps remaining, Bester suffered a hard off that dropped him to the back of the field. Peterson stayed consistent through the closing laps and finished the heat in 5th place.

Round 11 FINAL

Peterson qualified 5th, lining up on the front row, while Bester started from the back row. Peterson got a strong jump off the line and despite being pinched out on the front straight stretch, he powered through the first turn running 3rd. As the early laps unfolded Peterson settled into 5th and Bester worked his way through traffic in 13th. As the race progressed, Peterson dropped back to 7th, but with three minutes remaining, the battle tightened up. Peterson worked his way back into contention, swapping positions as he fought for a podium spot. At the checkered flag, Peterson secured a strong 5th-place finish, while Bester pushed through the field to finish 10th, rounding out the first night of racing in Elk River.

SATURDAY PRO ROUND 12

ROUND 1

Heat 1 - Peterson and Bester

Teammates Adam Peterson and Ryley Bester lined up together in the first heat of Pro Round 12 on Saturday in Elk River. As the start of the race, Bester launched hard off the line on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled, grabbing the Studboy Holeshot Award. Through the opening corners the field quickly shuffled, with Peterson settling into 4th and Bester in 5th as the race developed. The pair stayed in the mix during tight racing throughout the heat, with Peterson finishing 5th and Bester crossing the line in 6th.

ROUND 2

Heat 1 - Peterson and Bester

Peterson and Bester again lined up together for the second round of racing Saturday night. Off the start, Peterson had a tough break and was knocked off his sled in the opening moments of the race. Bester was able to navigate through the chaos and settle into 6th place, while Peterson quickly remounted and rejoined the race in 7th. Both riders battled hard throughout the qualifier, navigating a tight field and pushing forward each lap. At the checkered flag, Bester finished 6th, with Peterson close behind in 7th.

Round 12 FINAL

Starting from the back row, both riders battled through the demanding 10-minute plus one lap final on Saturday night. Early in the race, Ryley Bester charged his way forward to an impressive 6th place, while Peterson worked through the field into 10th.

With two minutes remaining, Bester briefly slipped back a couple positions before regrouping and pushing forward again, while Peterson continued advancing through traffic into 9th place. On the final lap, Bester found smooth lines and made strong passes to secure an excellent 5th-place finish, while Peterson crossed the line in 10th, capping off the weekend of racing in Elk River.

With the 2026 Snocross season entering its final stretch and only four rounds remaining, the championship points race remains extremely tight, making every position earned on the track count. Team LaVallee now has a quick turnaround as the team prepares to race again this weekend at the iconic World Championship Derby Complex in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

PRO POINTS STANDINGS:

Bester: 6th

Peterson: 7th

ROOKIE SPORT - CODY MORAS

Coming off a career-best 5th-place finish in Salamanca, New York, Rookie Sport rider Cody Moras came into the Elk River National eager to build on that momentum. After qualifying finishes of 8th and 5th, Moras fought his way into the Sport Final on Friday night by securing 2nd place in the LCQ. Starting from the back row, Moras charged through the field and worked his way up to an impressive 8th-place finish.

Day 2

Moras returned to the track Saturday looking for redemption and delivered strong performances in qualifying with a 5th place and a heat win. Starting from the front row of the Sport Final, Moras launched out of the gate on his Team LaVallee, Polaris sled and quickly settled into the top-three position early in the race. After a demanding final, Moras crossed the line with an excellent 5th-place finish, marking another strong result for the Rookie Sport rider.