Can-Am/ Motoworks John Natalie celebrates being crowned 2011 AMA ATV MX Pro Champion

Vista, CA (8/17/2011) – As the champagne flowed on the podium, Motoworks’ John Natalie, Jr. was all smiles after going the distance at Loretta Lynn’s this past weekend, giving the Can-Am/Motoworks team its first-ever AMA ATV Motocross Pro Championship.

Motoworks’ John Natalie, Jr. went into the final round of the series with a ten point lead and anticipation was high in hopes that he would bring home the championship for the Can-Am/Motoworks team, and in true Ironman form, John Natalie did not disappoint.

Natalie rode smart to take third overall at Loretta Lynn's to secure the AMA ATV MX Pro Championship

As the gate dropped for the first moto of the day, Natalie shot off the line in fourth place and after just a couple of laps, moved into the number three spot. Natalie then began to chase down the leaders and was able to make his way into second place before crossing the finish line ahead of his nearest competitor for the championship, Josh Upperman. “I wanted to go out there and ride smart and finish ahead of Josh (Upperman), and that’s just what I did. I felt really great after that first moto and I was ready to take the win in moto two,” said Natalie.

After a fairly easy first moto, it looked as if things would be effortless for Natalie in moto two, but that would not be the case. When the gate dropped for the final moto of the season, Natalie was looking good in the number two spot, but in the second corner, Natalie came over a jump and crashed. The crowd gasped as Natalie went down in what was quite a dramatic scene that sent his quad flipping off the track, but the Ironman lived up to his reputation once again, as he got back on his quad and continued to race. After the incident Natalie would have to finish in eighth place or better in order to win his championship. Knowing this, Natalie put the hammer down and began picking off racers and quickly went from dead last to eighth in just two laps, but Natalie was not going to just settle for a top ten finish and kept pushing forward. Just before the mid-way point Natalie moved into the number five spot and held it until the final lap when he took over fourth place just before the checkered flag, giving him third overall on the pro podium, and more importantly, the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Pro Championship.

Natalie crosses the finish line aboard his Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 ATV

“It’s been a long road and we finally made it and took the championship! It felt great to come out here and take the championship in the last round of the season. I can’t believe it, it’s just an incredible feeling to finally achieve what we have been working for so long. This has been such an incredible season, and with all the ups and downs our team has had with both Chad and I getting injured; for our team to take the championship couldn’t be any sweeter right now. I have to thank everyone at Can-Am and Motoworks and everyone who has been there for us this season and stuck behind us; it brings tears to my eyes to be able to bring a championship to all those people,” stated Natalie, who was overcome with emotion.

After a well-deserved break, it will be back to work for John Natalie, Jr. and the Motoworks team as they prepare to defend the number one plate for the 2012 season.