Chance Hymas (Honda) wins at Budds Creek, bad luck for Levi Kitchen

The 10th and penultimate round of the US Nationals at Budds Creek. Heavy rainfall during the night and early morning had softened the track, meaning the qualifying sessions had to be held in muddy conditions. Title contender Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) was the fastest and started from pole.

Combined 250cc qualifying

1. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 1:56.283

2. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, +0.313

3. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, +0.661

4. Landen Gordon (USA), Yamaha, +0.890

5. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, +1.042

6. Carson Mumford (USA), KTM, +1.651

7. Drew Adams (USA), Kawasaki, +1.726

8. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, +1.792

9. Michael Mosiman (USA), Yamaha, +1.875

10. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, +1.904

Race 1: Kitchen’s decisive mistake

The first race of the 250cc class took place in very muddy conditions. Levi Kitchen sought grip off the track on the start straight, for which he was to receive a penalty. The Pro Circuit Kawasaki works rider took the holeshot and led the race. Kitchen pushed too hard on the slippery surface and went down. By the time he was able to resume the race, the field had passed him and Kitchen had to set about catching up. Cole Davies (Yamaha) seized his chance and won the first race ahead of HRC factory rider Chance Hymas and the 19-year-old Yamaha rookie Landen Gordon. Levi Kitchen fought his way back into the top 10 after his crash, but was demoted by four places for leaving the track. Finishing 14th, he lost crucial points in the championship battle.

Cole Davies gewann den ersten Lauf in Budds Creek

Foto: AMA

Kitchen went all out

In the second race, Kitchen had to go all out, but he didn’t get off to a good start. He went on the attack, pulled off numerous overtakes and even got past Davies. In the end, he finished second behind Chance Hymas. Cole Davies came third and took the second podium spot, whilst Landen Gordon stood on the podium for the first time in his career with a 3-7 result.

Standings at the top of the table

Levi Kitchen travelled to Budds Creek with a narrow one-point lead. His crash in the first race saw him drop back to second place, and he now trails by 14 points ahead of the season finale at the Ironman Raceway in a week’s time. Davies therefore heads into the season finale as the title favourite.

Budds Creek 250

1. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 2-1

2. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 1-3

3. Landen Gordon (USA), Yamaha, 3-7

4. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 8-4

5. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 14-2

6. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 5-10

7. Lux Turner (USA), Yamaha, 7-9

8. Caden Dudney (USA), Yamaha, 10–8

9. Daxton Bennick (USA), Husqvarna, 9-11

10. Drew Adams (USA), Kawasaki, 17-5

Championship standings after Event 10 of 11

1. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 378 points

2. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 364, (-14)

3. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 322, (-56)

4. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 317, (-61)

5. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, 291, (-87)

6. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 269, (-109)

7. Carson Mumford (USA), KTM, 244, (-134)

8. Jo Shimoda (J), Honda, 194, (-184)

9. Michael Mosiman (USA), Yamaha, 167, (-211)

10. Caden Dudney (USA), Yamaha, 166, (-212)