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RYDER DIFRANCESCO
Ryder DiFrancesco has been one of the winningest riders in amateur motocross throughout the 2018 season thus far, finding the top step of the podium in practically every race that he’s contested. The Team Dunlop Elite rider accumulated a total of thirteen championships up to the point where he swept all of his classes at the California Classic. It’s been no different through the summer months as DiFrancesco snagged a trio of victories at Junior- MotoX, won eight bears at Mammoth Mountain Motocross, and finished first in both Mini Sr. 1 and 85cc (9-12) at his Loretta Lynn’s Regional Qualifier. The Team Green Kawasaki rider earned his fourth Loretta Lynn MX Amateur National Champion-
ship last year in the 85cc (9-11) Limited class and has stood on the overall podium on two additional occasions, making him one of the most decorated riders competing in the mini ranks this year. No matter what happens at Loretta’s, DiFrancesco is following up the big dance in Hurricane Mills with a trip to Australia to compete at the 2018 FIM World Junior Motocross Championship, aiming to take his winning ways to an international level.
SETH HAMMAKER
Seth Hammaker has finished inside the top five in both classes that he’s contested during his last two trips to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, most notably winning the title in the Supermini 1 class in 2016. The Team Green Kawasaki rider was a standout in the 250 B division last year as the only rider to beat Garrett Marchbanks straight-up, trouncing the field in the first moto after an impressive holeshot to checkered flag performance. The Pennsylvania native has displayed an extraordinary amount of con- sistency in recent memory at the Ranch, but he’s determined to get back to the top step of the podium in the A class this year. His form throughout the spring events at the beginning of the season was nothing short of impressive; although he didn’t win any titles, Hammaker landed on the overall podium at the Daytona RCSX, the JS7 Freestone Spring Champion- ship, and the Cal Classic. He contested Mam- moth Mountain Motocross for the first time in his career and showcased race winning poten- tial in the 250 Pro class, but a small mistake cost him a shot at the overall victory. It may be the Fly Racing athlete’s last shot at a Loretta Lynn MX Amateur National Title depending on his route to the professional ranks and he has just as good of a shot as anyone in the A class at getting the job done.
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