A young gun takes his first win
You know that you’re a die-hard race fan when the first thing you do, upon waking up, is check the race results! This was the case this past Saturday for us with American Flat Track racing in Ventura, California. The southern part of the West Coast swing for flat track fans is done and dusted with some shocking results in the Singles class.
Chase Saathoff (88) and Tarren Santero (75) at Silver Dollar Speedway, Ventura, CA. Photos by Geoff Nickless.
One of our local Central Coast (Salinas) riders, 17-year-old #228 Kage Tadman, rode his KTM 450 SX-F like the wind, ahead of #88 Chase Saathoff to win his debut at the professional level. As photographers for the Lodi Motorcycle club in Northern California, we have the pleasure of seeing some terrific flat track racing, as well as watching young riders come up through the ranks to race in the Open A class. Kage Tadman is one of those riders. Geoff and I have photographed Kage over the last three years, watching his talent blossom with his dedication to the sport. His parents, Keith and Barbara Tadman, support Kage as he travels across the USA competing. Kage gives it his all, whether at a county fair bull ring in King City, California or an indoor short track at a fairground exhibit building in Santa Rosa, California. He seldom misses an opportunity to compete and hone his riding skills. Kage is a down-to-earth young man and enjoys fishing and the outdoors to relax. Friendly and focused best describes him in the pits at the track.
AFT Singles riders James Ott (19), Chase Saathoff (88) and Kyle Anselmi (115) checking out the race line during practice. Photo by Geoff Nickless.
Will Chase repeat his AFT Singles Challenge win at Chico next weekend, or will young Kage make it two in a row? We can’t wait to find out what happens on the banked turns of the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California this coming weekend. We’ll report back on the action in NorCal after next weekend.
Barb Nickless
*photos by Geoff Nickless
Chase Saathoff Taking the Number 1 Podium in 2024. Photo by Geoff Nickless.
Top featured photo: District 36, Open A class at the Lodi Cycle Bowl: Tony Meiring (1X9), Kage Tadman (28W), and Christian Spurgeon (33S) battling for the podium.
Nice article about a nice and superfast rider. I always smile when I get to a track and the Nickless’s are there. See you at Chico.
I agree with Al..
Barb & Geoff are passionate professionals. I was in the stands thursday at Lodi, but didnt get a chance to say hello.
Everyone needs to make an effort to purchase top quality Nickless Photos.🏁
Agreed. Geoff has been shooting racing since the early 1970s. The man is legendary in motorcycle race photography. We’re proud and honored to have Barb & Geoff contributing quality content to Road Dirt!