For Yamalube Schrader's SMX racer Denaye Giroux, it wasn't the finish that she was hoping for. The first moto of the final round of the Women's Nationals in Edmonton had to be the most exciting race of this season by far.
She came out of the gate with the hole shot and did not look back.
She couldn't either, as there was a field of 40 other racers looking to hunt her down.
Series leader Haily Larson quickly made her way through the pack as her perfect record was officially now on the line.
"I knew that Haily was on me very quickly," says Giroux.
"I was determined that there was no way she was getting past me this time!"
What would ensue was a perfectly executed battle on Giroux's behalf.
"Haily was constantly showing Denaye her wheel, trying to cut inside and take different lines," reports team owner/manager Jackie Maffenbeier.
"You could see Denaye thinking and planning the whole race. She protected her inside line well and had great hook up with her powerfull Yamalube Schrader's 250F Yamaha. Denaye showed her experience."
In the second moto had Giroux jump into the lead again with her second hole shot of the day. The girls at the front were battling hard and this time (Haily) Larson managed to get her on an inside corner. Giroux finished moto 2 in second place for a second overall on the day and second overall in the series.
"We're proud of Denaye and her accomplishments in this short women's series," says team co-manager/owner Randy Maffenbeier.
The team now heads to Walton where Giroux will be hoping to keep her national #1 plate.
