The Team Babbitt’s/Monster Energy/AMSOIL/Kawasaki rider has triumphed at the Las Vegas finale.
By Hayden Gregory
The 2016 season finished with a thriller as Gavin Faith, Chris Blose and Jacob Hayes all battled it out for the inaugural Ricky Carmichael Cup. Faith held an eight point lead in the Race to the Championship and needed another strong performance to wrap up the title in Vegas.
Making a statement in the final round was Chris Blose, winning both motos and putting pressure on the other riders behind him to perform. Unfortunately the clean sweep was not enough to claim the championship with Faith recording a pair of runner up finishes behind Blose to take honours.
“I don’t know if I’ve even been so nervous coming into a weekend,” expressed Faith. “Chris has been riding great all year and I knew he was going to bring it tonight. It just feels so good – I’m a little speechless right now.
“It feels incredible to win the Ricky Carmichael Cup, I’ve been working with Ricky and we’re bringing it back home to the [Carmichael] Farm. It’s been a long season and we’ve worked really hard for this, so to finally make it happen feels incredible.”
Despite some last round heroics Chris Blose would fall five points short of Faith in the overall, claiming second for the series.
“I came out and did everything I could tonight to win the overall,” said Blose. “I’m pretty bummed to get second in the championship, but we made a lot of progression from last year and we have to be proud of that.
“I had two bad Main Events [in the Race to the Championship] with two crashes and that ultimately cost me the championship. But you live and learn from your mistakes and it makes you a better person.”
Jacob Hayes finished third in each moto as the Vegas standings replicated the final series overall with a Team Babbitt’s/Monster Energy/AMSOIL/Kawasaki podium clean sweep.
