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Troy Lee-wrapped Cantrell rode extremely admirable in the three classes he entered, all of which
utilized a three-moto format. Racing in each male A class at the event, there were no shortages
of speed for him to contend with but contend he did, putting up great results all the way around.
He struggled a bit in the Open Pro Sport class, recording his worst overall of the weekend, a 6th, with moto scores of 5th, 13th
and another 5th, in that order. Then, when he finished 13th, Cantrell turned into a savage by picking off 15 riders and coming back from 28th on lap two. The day did get a bit brighter as the 250 A class lined up with Sean earning him the final spot on the podium behind Forkner and Chase Sexton. Again struggling in the 2nd moto, Cantrell posted a 6th place finish that ruined the two 2nd place positions in both the first and third motos of the division. Can’t really scoff at the 6th too much, though, as he only would have been able to put up a 2nd place overall due to the #214 of Austin Forkner and his dominance in his final Amateur event.
Now with a 3rd and 6th under his belt, the #37 was able to put all the remaining energy into the much respected 450 A class, again with nearly all the same riders as his two other classes. After starting moto one with a 3rd place start, Cantrell ran into trouble on lap two, falling all the way back to 11th before making a charge for the remainder of the race. Finishing the race in 7th, Sean rested well as over the entire event, lap times increasingly improved in moto’s two and three. For the 2nd race of the class, Cantrell came out hot in 2nd place behind Ryan Surratt, who led the entire moto. He held 2nd place solid, until the he was victimized once again by Forkner on the final lap, a tough break before the breakthrough ride of the weekend. Putting the rubber to dirt in the purest form, Cantrell jumped out front early, leading all eight laps and posting the fastest time of the race on lap two. No one could deny the heart, as Cantrell rode to 1st, locking in the championship with the 7, 3, 1 moto scores.
Although Cantrell’s overall effort seemed to be slightly hindered by just one sour moto per class, leaving the ruts in Wortham with an A class title is what keeps the dream alive. The up-and-coming pro rider continues to increase production levels and heads home to
California in order to prepare for his next opportunity at progression.
words/BRENTECKERT
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