Page 86 - Issue45

CADE AUTENRIETH
250 SX / 13TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / WILSON
>> Cade Autenrieth is a rider new to the series, he didn’t have a ride and wasn’t even competing in the supercross series. All of a sudden he was in the series and was riding for one of the stronger teams. Here is how it all fell into place. The Autotrader/ Yoshimura/ JGR Suzuki team has always been a 450 team only and have been riding Yamahas for their entire career in Supercross. 2017 changed everything Yamaha and JGR parted ways and Suzuki gave JGR some extra funds to field a 250 program as well as a 450 program. The selected riders chosen to ride for the team have gotten injured and they need- ed a fill in rider. Luckily for Autenrieth his trainer Buddy Antunez (former Ar- enacross champion) is also Weston Peicks trainer, Weston rides for the JGR team in the premier division. Antunez put in a good word for Cade and the agreement came together for Autenrieth to fill in for the team for the remain- ing three rounds of the West Coast Championship. Cade only had a few days on the bike before his first race of the year at round 7 in Seattle, unfortunately due to lack of time on the bike Cade failed to make the main event. Round 8 in Salt Lake City went much better for the #330 as he was able to make it to the main event directly out of his heat race. Many eyes where on JGR to see
if they made the right decision seeing as many riders where looking for that fill in position. Autenrieth didn’t get a good start in his heat race and was able to get his way up to 7th. The nerves where at an all time high for the rookie as he was preparing himself for his first main event of his professional career. The JGR Suzuki rider was running a strong 10th after the opening laps of the main and was able to finish a respectful 13th.
86 GRITMOTO • APRIL 23, 2017