Once again, Yamaha’s bLU cRU riders proved to be a force to be reckoned with, scoring eight AMA National Championships and a total of 28 moto wins at the 38th Annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, from July 29 – August 3.
More than 1,500 amateur motocross riders from across the country descended on the well-known ranch with one goal – to leave with the coveted AMA Amateur Motocross number-one plate. Yamaha bLU cRU riders battled in three moto formats all in their respected classes with top riders such as Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Jarrett Frye and Matthew LeBlanc both coming out on top with a championship title each.
Frye dominated the Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C class with a trio of first-place finishes (1-1-1) to take the overall title. “I just push to get good starts and then focus on staying out front being smooth and consistent,” Frye said. That strategy served him well, as he was blazing fast on Friday at Loretta’s and came away with a moto win in both Schoolboy 2 and 250 B, closing out his 250B run with a third-place overall (3-3-1). The Mechanicsville, Maryland, rider’s performance also earned him the accolade of AMA Amateur Rider of the Year.
His bLU cRU teammate LeBlanc was the class of the field in the 450 B class, taking 1-1-2 scores to secure the championship. “I was just thinking about going out there and doing my best to win the title. The hard work paid off because we got it,” LeBlanc said.
Triangle Cycles Yamaha rider Mason Gonzales withstood some serious pressure in the third and final moto of 250 B Limited and pieced together 1-2-1 scores for the overall championship title.
“What a race!” said Gonzales. “I got off to a good start, but it was one of the hardest races I’ve had. Preston (Kilroy) put pressure on me the entire moto.”
Gonzales’ teammate Jazzmyn Canfield got off to a great start with a pair of wins in the first two motos. After a crash early in the third moto, she put in a heroic effort to fight her way back to second place to secure the title in the Women’s 12+ class.
Multi-time off-road champion Mike Brown held onto the number-one plate in both the Senior 40+ (1-1-1) and the Junior 25+ (1-2-1) classes. His masterclass performance also earned him the AMA Vet Rider of the Year award.
bLU cRU rider Tyler Foster won the 450 C class championship in dominant fashion with three straight moto wins. In the 51cc Shaft Drive (4-6) Limited class, young bLU cRU rider Braxton Baldock secured the title with a pair of wins and a third-place finish in the final moto.
Cycle Trader/Rock River Yamaha’s Levi Kitchen ended his week at the Ranch on a strong note with a first-place finish in the 125cc (12-17) B/C class, giving him third overall (2-6-1). Kitchen’s teammate Carter Halpain overcame challenges to end his week on a positive note with a solid sixth-place finish in 250 Pro Sport moto, giving him sixth overall with a (10-9-6) tally.
2019 Yamaha bLU cRU AMA National Champions (8)
Jarrett Frye Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C
Matt LeBlanc 450B
Mason Gonzales 250B Limited
Mike Brown Senior 40+
Mike Brown Junior (25+)
Jazzmyn Canfield Women 12+
Tyler Foster 450C
Braxton Baldock 51cc Shaft Drive (4-6) Limited
