etnies

Sarah Whitmore Takes Second in WMA Opener at Glen Helen

Sarah Whitmore (left) at the finish line; Tarah Gieger (right) on the track. [Photos via Steve Giberson for Transworld Motocross]

etnies Girl team riders Sarah Whitmore and Tarah Gieger kicked off the highly anticipated 2006 Women's Motocross Association (WMA) Pro National Series at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif., this past Saturday, May 13. Sarah, who was coming off a second place finish overall for the series last year, finished strong in second place and Tarah, who was competing for the first time in 11 months after recovering from a serious injury, finished in ninth.

Sarah Whitmore

Tarah’s return was definitely noticed in the first moto, as she assumed the lead in the second lap. She held strong for several laps before hitting a rock that sent her into a wall as she was riding one of the steep uphills of the track. At that point, Sarah passed her, finishing in third place. Tarah, once back on track, was held back in the sixth place spot for the remaining few laps and through to the finish.

The climate changed a bit for moto number two. Sarah held on against tough competition for fifth place, getting her second overall. Tarah also had a slow start and managed to finish in 10th place, giving her an overall finish of ninth.

Next up, both girls will compete in round two of the WMA Pro National Series held at Hangtown MX in Sacramento, Calif., on May 20, followed by round three at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood, Colo., on July 22, round four at Washougal MX in Washougal, Wash., July 27-29, round five at Broome-Tioga at Binghamton, NY, Aug. 18-19, and round six at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Penn., Sept. 1-2.