On The Pegs January 2020 - Volume 5 - Issue 1 | Page 25

On The Pegs
VOL. 5 ISSUE 1 - JANUARY 2020
25
PAT SMAGE WINS
AMA ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
The American Motorcyclist
Association honored the 2019
season’s fastest amateur mo-
torcycle racers and top event
organizers at the KTM AMA
Championship Banquet at the
Hilton Columbus Downtown
on Dec. 7, and Pro MotoTrials
rider Pat Smage was recog-
nized as the AMA Athlete of
the Year from AMA National
Championship Series compe-
tition. He won his 11th AMA/
NATC MotoTrials Pro Class
championship in 2019.
“This is an honor, not just for
me, but for the sport of trials
in general,” Smage said. “We
don’t always get the recognition of the other sports, as they’re much better
known. Trials is growing in the [United] States a bit, and we’re trying to take it to
the next level. So, I’m glad I could be a part of this.”
The AMA sanctions thousands of motorcycle and ATV races each year on dirt,
sand, asphalt, ice and snow. The competitors attending the banquet placed in
the top three in their classes and are among the elite amateur motorcycle racers
in the country.
AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman highlighted the importance of those in
attendance to the sport.
“This night is for the riders, racers and their families who invest emotion, time
and money into the sport we all love,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman
said. “Your dedication and passion are the fuel that powers AMA racing and rid-
ing. You are the heart of the most expansive sanctioned motorsports program in
the world. Thank you for your commitment to motorcycling in all its forms.” n