Denaye Giroux, of the Yamalube Schrader's SMX Racing Team, cast the first stone this weekend at round 2 of the Monster Energy Canadian Nationals in Nanaimo, BC. In the first moto, Denaye grabbed the holeshot and never looked back. "Denaye continued to get stronger throughout the moto developing a substantial lead," said owner/manager Jackie Maffenbeier. "Denaye loves to fly she did all the jumps even better than some of the guys!"
The second moto found Giroux with a third place start, but it didn't take her long to pull out front. " I was definitely more comfortable riding this kind of dirt," says Giroux. "it's closer to the hard pack I'm familiar with, with the exception of the "boulder" roost! The Dunlop tires really helped get traction through the slippery sections and I could feel the extra power from my Renegade fuel and Dr. D pipe."
With 1-1 finishes in Nanaimo, Girouix is sitting first over all by 8 points. Round 3, of the Monster Energy Canadian pro Nationals in Calgary, AB. will be the clincher. "I'm ready to prove that I deserve the #1 plate," says Giroux. "I really like the track and I just need to keep it on 2 wheels."
The Yamalube Schrader's SMX Racing Team took its first number 1 National plate with Giroux being crowned the Women's National West champion. "We couldn't be more excited for Denaye," said owner/manager Jackie Maffenbeier. "Denaye has trained hard and after last seasons disappointment, wasn't going to settle for anything but Number 1." The Yamaha 250F and Dunlop tires helped turn a sloppy track into a choice couple of motos. Hooking up with two holeshots and the SSS suspension working perfectly through the deep and long ruts, helped to propel Giroux to two moto wins for first overall on the day and clinching the Number 1 Women's West National Champion-ship. Giroux heads down to Colorado to run her first AMA race of the season. She will be trying to bring home the Canadian Women's National Championship this August in Walton when she meets up with the Eastern ladies.
Round 2 for the Yamalube Schrader's SMX Racing rider, Shawn Maffenbeier, saw some tough starts. "In moto 1 I chose a poor gate. I got off the cement well, but then had to chug through some greasy mud," said Maffenbeier. "A fall on a tight pass really put me behind but I managed to finish up 12th."
The second moto didn't bring a better start. "Shawn went to work," said owner/manager Randy Maffenbeier. "Even with a stall in a corner, Maffenbeier continued to dig past riders. His Dunlop tires churned up bolders leaving his competitors behind him weeping! The SSS suspension has really been the key for both rounds."
With an eighth place finish in the second moto, Maffenbeier finished with an 11th overall for the day. Heading into Round 3 in Calgary has him positioned 8th overall for the series. "I'm excited. It's my second weekend in a row in the top 10," says Maffenbeier. "I'm confident in my abilities and my Yamalube, Yamaha 450F."
