Race recap

American Epstein sweeps MX1 motos, B. C.’ s Pettis takes top spot in MX2

A weekend of racing drew more than 5,000 fans to Pleasant Valley Motocross Park. Some of the top pro riders in the world were on the throttle Sunday.

More than 3,500 race fans converged on Pleasant Valley Motocross Park on a sunny Sunday for Round 7 action on the Rockstar Energy Drink National Motocross Series.

Hometown favourite Tyler Medaglia, of Brookfield, finished fifth overall for the day in the MX1 class after posting moto scores of 5- 4.

Medaglia, 30, had the thirdfastest lap time in the morning qualifying sessions, however, he didn’t get off to great starts in

either moto.

American racers stood on the podium in the MX1 class, as Dillan Epstein ( 1- 1), Matt Georke ( 3- 2) and Mike Alessi ( 2- 6) took the top three spots.

Medaglia sits fifth in the national standings with 311 points. Georke ( 368), Christophe Pourcel ( 349), Colton Facciotti ( 326) and Alessi ( 316) are ahead of him.

In the MX2 class, Jesse Pettis of Prince George, B. C., had a great day and finished first overall with moto scores of 2- 1. Jacob Hayes ( 4- 2), of Greensbourough, N. C., and Ottawa’s Dylan Wright ( 3- 3) were second and third, respectively.

Halifax’s Davey Fraser ( 15- 5) was seventh, while Shawn Maffenbeier, the series points’ leader, won the first moto, but was 24th in the second and finished eighth after his bike stalled on the fifth lap.

Truro’s Hayden Dennis ( 31- 23) was 27th.

A scary moment occurred late in the second moto when American Josh Osby collided with Dylan Wright over the finish line jump that resulted in a violent crash. Osby was taken to hospital

where he was diagnosed with a lacerated liver.

He later tweeted: “Thanks everyone for the love and prayers. I’ve got a fist size laceration to my liver that was bleeding but has stopped for now.”

In total, more than 5,000 fans attended a weekend of racing in Pleasant Valley, which included amateur races on Saturday.

The series remains in the Maritimes for another week, as Riverglade, near Moncton, hosts Round 8 on Sunday.

Joey Smith/ Truro Daily News Brookfield’s Tyler Medaglia, front, and Florida’s Kyle Chisholm get some air during the first MX1 Moto.

Joey Smith/ Truro Daily News Mike Alessi of California finished third overall in Pleasant Valley in MX1 class.

Joey Smith/ Truro Daily News The Rockstar Energy girls were on hand, giving away water bottles, hats and other souvenirs to race fans.