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Lemieux, Patenaude, Gaspardi earn Triple Crown wins in Valcourt for East Coast Snocross,
Presented by AMSOIL and Woody’s Traction
VALCOURT, Quebec (Feb. 17, 2014) – Vermont veteran Lincoln Lemieux, rising star Hunter Patenaude and Massachusetts native Bruce Gaspardi Jr. all won 2014 Triple Crown Series finals last weekend, as East Coast Snocross (ECS) completed Round 7 of its 10-race schedule during the prestigious Grand Prix Ski-doo de Valcourt.
Lemieux (Lemieux Racing/Ski-doo) kicked off the weekend’s activities on Friday, overpowering fellow ECS riders Danny Poirier (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) and Mathieu Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) for top honors in Pro Open. The field was comprised of top riders from both the U.S. And Canada, with Quebec-based stars like Dave Allard, Dave Asselin and Max Taillefer revved up to defend their home turf.
“I grabbed a good holeshot in the Triple Crown, built a nice lead and never looked back,” Lemieux said. “The sled was running well and I found some great lines. I’m happy we could win it this year against such a stacked field.”
Patenaude outgunned his childhood hero and inspiration Jason Boron for top honors in Pro Lite, with SCM regular David Temblay coming home third. Hot off a clean sweep in recent ECS action, the red-hot rookie continues to propel himself to new heights each and every weekend. SCM regulars Maxime Pepin and Keven Kelly completed the top five in Friday’s Pro Lite Triple Crown final.
“I pushed myself pretty hard the whole race, and it paid off,” Patenaude said. “Winning the Triple Crown in my class is huge; I’m proud to do it for my family, Ingles, Ski-doo and all of our other great sponsors. I had a strong desire to win in Valcourt, and I was able to pull it off. It’s a very special feeling.”
Gaspardi has been almost unstoppable throughout February in Sport class competition. If not for his teammate Cody Paolella, the veteran from North Adams would literally own the division. Gaspardi outfoxed Simon-Pierre Larouche and Raphael Lemieux to claim Friday’s final with a brilliant effort. After winning three of five classes entered recently, the 20-plus year veteran is on a hot streak.
“Winning the 2014 Sport Triple Crown Series is a huge deal for me,” Gaspardi said. “I had never raced in Valcourt prior to last weekend, so to go up there and put my Mystic Lubricants/Woody’s Traction Polaris up front in all three finals is amazing. I’m very comfortable on the sled lately, and now I just want to ride this incredible wave of momentum into our home race this coming weekend.”
On Saturday, the mix of riders from ECS, SCM and the CSRA produced some great racing. When the Pro Open final had concluded, it was six-time CSRA champion Iain Hayden (OTSF/Rockstar Polaris) standing atop the podium. Lincoln Lemieux carried the ECS logo with pride to finish second, while Idaho native Colby Crapo (Huber Motorsports/Pillers Ski-doo) filled out the podium. Poirier and Taillefer completed the top five in a 15-rider field packed with talent.
“I slotted into second spot and rode a smart, careful race to stay there,” Lemieux added on his Saturday performance. “I’m happy with my effort; it was a very solid race.”
Lemieux will now prepare for his second event riding for the AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports Ski-doo squad this coming weekend in Michigan.
In Pro Lite action Saturday, CSRA point leader and Yellowknife, NT, native Brandon Bradbury edged ECS top gun Jesse James Bonaduce for top honors. Maxime Pepin rounded out the podium in third, while Hunter Patenaude and his brother Leo completed the top five.
On Sunday, ISOC regular Petter Narsa (BOSS Racing/Jimmy John’s Ski-doo) came out on top after a grueling 12-lap Pro open final. Hayden capped a stellar weekend in second, while Poirier led the ECS contingent in third. Mike Bauer (Jess Racing/Arctic Cat) and Stale Eggen completed the top five.
Hunter Patenaude capped a successful outing to Quebec by winning Sunday’s nine-lap Pro Lite final. SCM regular Andrew Lincoln and Maxime Pepin filled out the podium with solid runs as the fans in Valcourt roared in appreciation. Boron and Bonaduce finished fourth and fifth respectively to wrap up a very productive trip for several ECS riders to participate in Canada’s biggest snowmobile race.
There is little time for any of last weekend’s big winners to savor their hard-earned victories. Riders will now focus on the debut of sanctioned snocross in Berkshire County, Mass., as ECS gets set to invade North Adams for Round 8 at “The Range” on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22-23. ECS officials would like to thank Donald Lemay and the entire Grand Prix de Valcourt staff for hosting our Triple Crown finals; it was an honor to be part of such a high-profile international event.
