Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich put his KX™450F on the top step of the podium for the second weekend in a row at Straddline ORV in Olympia, Wash. during the eighth round of the WORCS series. The win marks Dietrich’s fifth of the season as he extended his points lead over second to 11 points. Teammate Damon Huffman got off to a good start and finished eighth. Destry Abbott was running just outside the top-five when he suffered a big crash that sent him back to 17th. Not being one to give up, he made up as much time as possible to finish 14th.
For the second weekend in a row and the fifth time this season, Dietrich made it through the difficult conditions to stand on top of the podium. Unlike many races this year, Dietrich got out of the gate in the top-five. While others had trouble on the first lap, Dietrich rode to the front on the first lap. Although he went down and gave the lead up, he soon regained the top spot just before the halfway point and cruised to victory.
Ricky Dietrich took an early lead to take the win in WORCS Pro Bike at Olympia, WA.
“I finally got a good start and that really helped me move forward quickly,” said Dietrich. “I did fall in an icy area and got my glove muddy. I had to come in and get a new glove, but it only took me a few laps to move back into first. I just tried to minimize my mistakes and it really helped me pull away. I am happy with the win and even more happy to have the points lead.”
After a 13th place result last weekend, Huffman was ready to improve. He got one of his best starts of the year, but several minor crashes put him outside the top-10. Once the track started to form in the second half of the race, he made a strong push and finished eighth overall.
“I liked the course better this weekend, but the constant drizzle in the morning made the conditions really slippery,” said Huffman. “On the first lap, my vision was impaired with all the mud on my goggles. I pretty much had limited vision until I got a fresh set of goggles at the pit. From there, I felt like I rode really well. I was definitely stronger the second half and the course was a lot better.”
Coming off a second place finish at the last race, Abbott felt even better about the second race at Staddleline. Like the rest of his teammates, he too got a great start and was in the front group going into the woods. Unfortunately several people, including Abbott, went the wrong direction and had to make a u-turn back to the group. Abbott was still maintaining a top six position until he hit the ground pretty hard on a big tree root. Even though he had a bloody nose and hit his head, Abbott got back on the bike in 17th. After some time, he finally felt better and charged back to finish 14th.
“It was just after the pit stop that I hit the ground really hard,” said Abbott. “I seriously thought I had broken my nose because it wouldn’t stop bleeding. I got up to ride around for some points, but after a while I picked it up again and finished 14th. I am glad I didn’t get seriously hurt, but I’m a little mad because I felt really good and the bike was running great. I just need to avoid those tree roots.”
Ryan Abbatoye took third in the Pro 2 moto while points leader Cory Floyd sat out.
With Kawasaki’s Corey Floyd sitting out of the Pro 2 race in Washington, it left the door open for teammate Ryan Abbatoye to rack in as many points as possible. He rode well to a third, picking up the points lead over his teammate Floyd by 12 points. Abbatoye’s consistent performances throughout the season have helped put him in this position as he’s never finished higher than third place.
Following the race, the Kawasaki riders commented on the harsh opening-lap conditions. With a light drizzle starting in the morning, the riders were faced with one of the slickest tracks they’ve seen all season.
“This track was good since it incorporated the motocross and endurocross sections, but a lot of the areas were really slippery,” said Abbott. “The track provided a good variety.”
The next WORCS race returns to the California track at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif. The track is in the backyard of the Kawasaki headquarters that is just one hour away.
“I’m excited to see how the series prepares the course at Glen Helen,” said Huffman. “I’ve gone to off-road events there before and I hope to see a good turnout since its close to home.
”Shock Doctor
KTM teammates Mike Brown and Justin Soulè finished 3rd and 4th respectively after a friendly battle at the eighth round of the AMA WORCS Series.
WORCS Pro Bike Olympia, WA Overall Results:
1. Ricky Dietrich
2. Brenden Ritzman
3. Mike Brown
4. Justin Soulè
5. Charles Mullins
6. Jamie Lanza
7. Lance Smail
8. Damon Huffman
9. Robby Bell
10. Tim Weigand
WORCS Pro Bike Points Standings:
1. Ricky Dietrich – 177
2. Mike Brown – 166
3. Bobby Bonds – 129
4. Justin Soulè – 126
5. Tim Weigand – 115
WORCS Pro 2 Bike Olympia, WA Overall Results:
1. Jonathan Davis
2. Ian Blythe
3. Ryan Abbatoye
4. Eric Habenicht
5. Collin Carbaugh
6. Cody Schafer
7. Travis Coy
8. Erek Arnold
9. Justin Bonita
10. Brad Goolsby
WORCS Pro 2 Bike Points Standings:
1. Ryan Abbatoye - 172
2. Corey Floyd - 160
3. Jonathan Davis - 158
4. Eric Habenicht - 94
5. Cody Schafer - 83
6. Travis Coy - 79
7. Brad Goolsby - 65
8. Ian Blythe - 64
9. Kevin O'Donnell - 58
10. Justin Jones - 43
Brown started the race in 2nd place behind Jamie Lanza while his teammate Soulè had a good jump off the start but was pinched off in the first turn falling back to 15th. Brown held 2nd place as the riders went into the woods while Soulè had already passed three riders to make up a couple lost positions.
As the riders emerged out of the woods and toward the EnduroCross loop the lead position had changed to the #2 bike of Ricky Dietrich will Brown had dropped back to 7th after going off course and Soulè had climbed up to 9th position.
Mike Brown was awarded the WORCS Bike Week Championship #1 plate.
Lap two had the fans on their feet as local RPM/KTM rider, Brenden Ritzman, emerged from the woods as the new leader. Brown had climbed back up to 3rd with Soulè behind in 4th. Ritzman continued to hold the number one position on his KTM for the next two laps. Shortly, after the halfway mark Dietrich passed Ritzman to inherit the lead while the Shock Doctor/KTM riders remained in close battle behind.
After ten solid laps of laying it all out Dietrich came away with the win followed by a very excited Ritzman in 2nd. Brown held on for 3rd place only a bike length ahead of Soulè.
“It was a great day for KTM,” commented Shock Doctor/KTM Team Manager Antti Kallonen. “Anytime you have three KTM motorcycles in the top five is a great day for the team. We are happy with each rider’s performance.”
In addition to earning 3rd overall at the WORCS event, Mike Brown, was awarded the WORCS Bike Week Championship #1 plate during the podium ceremony. The award was given to Brown for his performance from his success in the week long events, including: Round 7 of the WORCS Series, Wednesday’s motocross race, Friday’s WORCS Cross and Sunday’s WORCS race results. “The rider with the best overall combined finishes is the champion and this year it is my honor to give this award to Shock Doctor/KTM rider Mike Brown,” stated WORCS President Sean Reddish.
Maria Forsberg won her second consecutive race since her return from injury in round eight of the WORCS series.
In addition to the 2nd place finish for RPM/KTM rider Brenden Ritzman in the Pro Class, his teammate, Maria Forsberg dominated the Women’s Class on Saturday to take her second win since her return from injury.
“Forsberg is back stronger than ever,” commented Mike Hurlbert, RPM/KTM Team Manager. “She won the past two WORCS events and the WORCS Cross event over a one week period. Forsberg has also accepted the invitation to ride as a member of the Women’s Pro ISDE Team in Portugal. She will honor her team by representing the United States at this grand event.”
Next Event: Milford, CA – WORCS Round 9 – September 19, 2009
