New Berlin, New York, home of the legendary Unadilla motocross facility, is home to an abundance of American Motocross history. This past weekend the storied hillsides of Unadilla played host to the world’s best ATV motocross athletes as rd. 8 of the ATV Motocross National Championship tour invaded central New York. Fan favorite, Cody Janssen, came into the weekend having finished first or second in every moto all season long and on the hunt for another overall victory. During the few week break following the previous national event in Illinois, Janssen and his team worked tirelessly to improve his #25 Cody Janssen Riding School/Swartfager Farms Honda. With the help of Pivot Works and their family of brands, Cody and his team were able to make the #25 the strongest it has been and everyone involved was anxious to see how the new combination performed on the track.
Spoiler alert: it was fast. Janssen’s speed was apparent all day long on Friday during practice and he was feeling great heading into Saturday’s Moto 1. Cody unfavorably drew 16th gate pick and knew his work would be cut out for him. He got a great jump off the start from the far outside but got pushed off the track in the first turn. He reentered the track around mid-pack and began his charge to the front. Fans and followers of Cody Janssen know that the later into the race, the stronger he gets. This was apparent once again as he made a late pass for 3rd and then a last corner pass to finish the race in 2nd. Heading into Moto 2, Cody knew a win would give him the overall victory. He got the start he needed and raced the entire race bumper to bumper with Nick Moser but could not make the pass, finishing just ¾ of a sec. behind the winner. Moser and Janssen, both pro racers in their own right, have won every moto this season, and the Junior 25+ division has turned into a must-see each and every weekend.
“When you work as hard as I do, sacrifice as much as I do, and grind as much as I do…it hurts to come so close but not win. That being said, I love ATV racing more than I ever have. I am having so much fun riding my ATV, and I got so much love from the fans out here [in New York]. It’s disappointing to finish 2nd, I mean how many times can you lose by less than a sec? But I am
really enjoying myself and I am so grateful to be here doing what I love. We’ve been improving [my quad] every week and I look forward to putting it on the top step of the podium at Red Bud!” Janssen said post race.
Next up is the Red Bud ATV National on July 21-22. See you there, you won’t want to miss it!
