Courtesy of MX Sports
A new era of American Motocross began on Saturday as the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicked-off its 2009 season at the 15th Annual South Point Hotel & Casino Motocross National from Glen Helen Raceway. In his 450 Class debut, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., rode to an impressive pair of moto victories to become just the third rider in history to win his first premier class race. In the entry-level 250 Class, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey outlasted his highly-talented competition to take a hard-earned overall victory.
Villopoto overcame mid-pack starts in each moto and battled his way through the field to take each win, passing long-time rivals to take the top spot in each race. In the final moto, the pre-season title favorite overcame a 10-second deficit over runner-up Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., to secure the overall and establish the early season momentum. Alessi's third and second place moto results landed him second while JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha's Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., finished third.
Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto continued his end-of-season Supercross success with two impressive wins at Glen Helen.
"It was tough," explained Villopoto. "My starts out of the gate were good but we can get better. The first moto wasn't too bad, I was fourth, but in the second I was 10th so I had a lot of work to do and Mike (Alessi) was way ahead of me. I knew where he was and paid attention to him but I kept doing what I was doing and running (my pace), not letting myself get into my head that I couldn't catch him and I eventually I caught him."
Dungey was in the midst of a stellar 250 Class battle throughout both motos. After moving into the lead late in moto one, he was passed by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Christophe Pourcel, of Corona, Calif., and settled for second. In the final moto, a mid-pack start forced Dungey to come from 10th place out of the gate, but he stalked GEICO Powersports Honda's Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, Ga., in the closing laps and made the pass for the win with just two laps to go to take his fourth win in the last five races going back to last season. Pourcel brought home the runner-up spot while his teammate Tyla Rattray, of Murrieta, Calif., rounded out the overall podium in his U.S. debut.
"It feels good to start (the season) off the way we did," said Dungey. "Glen Helen is always a tough track for me. Not physically but more in other areas since I didn't really ride on anything like this until I was about 16. I really look forward to the east rounds, but to be able to win at a track like Glen Helen that's so tough is awesome."
Making its debut as a part of the race day schedule, the Women's Class of the Lucas Oil Motocross Championship opened up the first of eight rounds of action this season. Reigning series champion and Honda Red Bull Racing rider Ashley Fiolek, of St. Augustine, Fla., swept both of the day's motos to claim the overall victory. Honda of Houston's Jessica Patterson, of Tallahassee, Fla., brought home second while Cernic's Suzuki's Sherri Cruse, of Bakersfield, Calif., finished third.
Honda's Ashley Fiolek took the MotorcycleUSA.com holeshot award on her way to sweeping the Women's class.
"I didn't really feel any pressure," stated Fiolek. "I just go out and do my best and that's all I can do. My bike is awesome and my team is awesome so there is no pressure at all. The track was really rough but it was great to be out there."
In an effort to clarify current procedures, MX Sports Pro Racing and AMA Pro Racing will release a competition bulletin updating the scoring process for the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship season.
Round two of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship continues next weekend from legendary Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, Calif. for the Hangtown Motocross Classic. Coverage of next weekend's race can be seen live on SPEED, Saturday, May 30 at 9 p.m. ET.
Courtesy of Kawasaki
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto started off the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Racing Motocross Championship just as he finished the 2009 supercross season, on the top step of the podium. Villopoto went 1-1 in his motocross 450 class debut making it 26 straight moto wins for the Kawasaki KX450F. In the 250 class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel won the first moto and finished seventh in the second while his teammate, 2008 MX2 World Champion, Tyla Rattray went 5-2 in his first race on American soil. Jake Weimer went 6-9 and Austin Stroupe finished 13-5. Timmy Ferry started the first moto in the 450 class but was unable to finish as he continues to recover from a broken heel he sustained in March.
Ryan Villopoto placed himself among racing legends by sweeping the opening round of his rookie-year in the 450 motocross class.
Villopoto joined elite company as he went 1-1 in his first motocross race in the 450 class. After winning the last three 250 class championships, he became only the second rider to then sweep both motos at Glen Helen in his 450 class debut. Ricky Carmichael also achieved the feat on a Kawasaki in 2000. It wasn’t easy for Villopoto who had to fight his way to the front during the 30 minute plus two lap motos.
“It’s tough coming up through the pack,” said Villopoto. “In the first moto it wasn’t too bad, but in the second moto I was back in tenth at the start so I had to work hard. I have to say this is one of the toughest tracks I have ridden at a national. It was really rough and it was good. I liked the track. It really separated the riders. My bike was good and I could ride a good pace.”
During the second moto Villopoto worked his way up from 10th at the start to second on the sixth lap. When he moved up to second he was 16 seconds behind the leader. Over the next five laps, Villopoto caught up to and passed the leader to take his second moto win.
“Right from the start, Mike (Alessi) pulled a big gap on me,” said Villopoto. “I knew where he was and I was paying attention to who was out front. I just kept doing the lap times I was doing. I wasn’t trying to ride over my head and I wasn’t getting discouraged, I knew I had a good pace and I saw that I was catching him pretty quick.”
“Today was a lot different than the regular Thursday riding and testing at Glen Helen,” said Villopoto. “There are a lot of bumps on Thursday and slower riders, but today there were giant bumps. The bumps were deep, there were a lot of ruts and the track prep was different. During practice it seemed every turn was about 18 inches deep of thick mud, which made it a little one lined.”
Though Villopoto swept both motos, he still sees areas for improvement. Not one to rest on his laurels, the 20-year-old rider is planning to work hard during the week to put in another good performance at Hangtown.
“Nobody likes to come from the back but that’s what I had to do today,” said Villopoto. “We are going to work on our starts. I don’t think I come from the back all the time, but when I have too I can. I’m just hoping for some better starts to come.”
With Villopoto’s two moto victories, the Kawasaki KX450F now has won 26 motos straight.
South African rider Tyla Ratay had a strong debut for Kawasaki in the AMA Motocross 250 class after wining the 2008 FIM Motocross MX2 title.
Rattray’s first race in America was a good one as he finished fifth in the first moto and followed that up with a runner-up finish in the second moto. Rattray came across the holeshot line in fourth during Moto 2 and then rode a patient race to slowly move up to second.
“I really enjoyed the race today especially the second moto,” said Rattray. “In the first moto I got a little arm pump so I just rode as best I could and I’m happy to get third overall. The second moto was a lot easier to pass. The track was rougher and there were more lines to choose from. The first moto it was more difficult to get by guys, but I think everyone did a great job. The track was awesome.”
Glen Helen not only marked Rattray’s first race in the United States, but also his first race on the Kawasaki KX250F.
“I’m really enjoying riding the Kawasaki,” said Rattray. “It is a great handling bike and we have great engines. Put the bike with the team and it is even better. Everyone at Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki works really hard. I’ve got a good team behind me.”
Since winning the MX2 title in October, Rattray has not competed in a race. The South African rider joined the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team early in 2009, but did not race during the supercross season.
“I know racing is different than just riding, so I just wanted to go out and get the best result I can,” said Rattray. “My fitness isn’t at 100 percent yet because I haven’t raced in seven months, but I know it can only get better.”
After winning the MX2 World Championship in Europe last year, Rattray came to the United States to race against different competition. New tracks aren’t the only thing that is different for Rattray.
One of the advantages of racing in Southern California is getting plenty of track time before the season starts. Nearly every rider in the race had tested and practiced weekly at Glen Helen Raceway. Though the track was familiar, it was prepped different for the national.
“The track was really rough and the intensity was more than I’m used to,” said Rattray. “That is the biggest difference racing here in America, other than that it is pretty much the same.”
East Coast Supercross Lites Champ Christophe Pourcel rode his way to another win in the first moto of the 250 class.
Pourcel found a familiar position after the first moto, the top step of the podium. The French rider rode a smooth and patient race to get the win.
“The first moto was good for me,” said Pourcel. “I didn’t get a great start and it was kind of crazy. I was in fourth when the leaders made a mistake, and I got by them. I just rode really smooth until the end of the race.”
The rutted conditions combined with an already difficult track made for a long race day at Glen Helen. For Weimer, the tough conditions made it difficult for him to overcome mid-pack starts, but he knows there is still a long season ahead.
“It was tough,” said Weimer. “I just struggled with the starts. It was tough to pass because everybody is so fast here. Having to restart the first moto after the red flag was kind of a bummer. That was my best start of the day and we had redo it. The track was rough and I didn’t get the results I wanted.”
Ferry came to the race still recovering from a broken heel and rode the first moto. After the moto Timmy and the team decided it would be best to concentrate on his recovery.
“I’ve only been riding for about a week,” said Ferry. “I’m not at 100 percent yet and I kept going as long as I could. I’m going to get back out this week and ride some more and get ready for Hangtown.”
16-year-old Sara Price, made her professional career debut at the opening round of the 2009 Lucas Oil Pro
Motocross Championship, held this past Saturday, May 23rd. The rookie made a strong impression with a 2nd place finish in moto one and a top five finish overall.
Sara Price held second in the first heat and recovered from a crash in the second to take fifth overall in the Women's class.
Moto One was held at 1:00pm following opening ceremonies, Sara Price got a good start on her Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki bike. She worked her way into 2nd place early on and held off Jessica Patterson all the way to the checkers.
In Moto Two Sara again got a good start, unfortunately another racer made contact with her causing Sara to crash. She remounted quickly and made her way through the pack passing several riders to get a 9th place finish. Price finished an impressive 5th overall.
"I was excited and anxious for my first pro race. I am really happy to have got on the podium in the first moto, all the women are riding really fast. I learned a lot and am even more prepared for Hangtown next weekend," said Price.
Watch the women¹s live race coverage from Hangtown in Sacramento, CA on Allisports.com starting a 1:00pm PST, Saturday, May 30th.
Courtesy of Suzuki
Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ryan Dungey celebrated his first race of the 2009 AMA Motocross series with a victory on Saturday afternoon at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. The young Minnesota rider carded second- and first-place moto finishes to take the overall victory in the 250 class.
In the 450 class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi enjoyed a second-place overall finish, thanks to third- and second-place finishes in the two motos. Chad Reed, racing his first outdoor motocross race in two years, raced his Rockstar Makita Suzuki RMZ450 to a fourth- and third-place finish for an overall fourth-place result. Michael Byrne finished fifteenth and fourteenth for an overall twelfth-place result in his first race back after recent shoulder surgery.
Ryan Dungey:
“It definitely feels good to be back outdoors. I think overall it was a good day. We had solid practices and finished first-fastest in both. Ended up second in the first moto, had a little bobble in a corner, and kind of lost the lead. Going into the second moto, not such a great start, but I worked my way through the pack and was able to work my way up to first.
Mike 'Holeshot King' Alessi had excellent starts in both heats, which helped him take third and second in the two heats at Glen Helen despite getting stuck in the first.
Two-one today for the overall. I think it was solid.”
Mike Alessi:
“It was good. First moto we got a really great start and were out in front and pulling away big time. Just all of a sudden, I hit a turn and got stuck -- literally got stuck and couldn’t get out. That put me all the way back to fourth. I charged back to third to try to salvage points. Second moto, got a great start, was out front and pulled away from everybody, and was riding a good pace and my own race. I led it ‘till the last couple laps when Ryan caught me and took the lead. We’ll come back strong next week.”
Chad Reed:
“It was good. I got flashes of brilliance. There are some things I need to work on with me and I think we’ll be real good. I feel confident. The results on paper aren’t really as important to me as what it means to me. I was really more comfortable than I expected to be. I didn’t expect to be the fastest guy in practice, and I was. There’s a realistic side of things, and we tested twice and came racing. We made a lot of changes throughout the weekend that were positive ones. It’s promising.”
Michael Byrne:
“It was okay. I got points, and that was the main goal. I probably don’t even know if I should be really racing yet, but you got to be in it to build those points up for the championship. I felt like I rode stronger in the second moto than in the first moto. The first moto I got a good start, but my shoulder just wasn’t used to the jarring of the hills and stuff. It got a little weak and I just kept falling back. The second moto I felt like I kind of maintained and caught the guys ahead of me. All in all, it was okay.”
Cruse took third overall in the Women's class.
Cernic's Suzuki racer Sherri Cruse started out the 2009 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship with a podium finish at Glen Helen Raceway, in San Bernardino, Calif. this past Saturday, May 23rd.
The 20-year-old racer from Bakersfield, California, rode with her new career number three (3) at the infamous Glen Helen Raceway. In the first moto, she got a great start coming out of the first corner in 2nd place behind the defending champion Ashley Fiolek. Cruse finished 5th in the moto. In moto two, Sherri again got a great start and she battled with Jessica Patterson before securing a third place finish and third overall for the day.
Sherri Cruse:
"It was great having our practice and both motos part of the pro day. The fans were so supportive. Glen Helen is a challenging track and unfortunately I got arm pump in the first moto and couldn't hold on to second. In moto two I rode a lot less tight. It is a long championship and my goal is to be on the podium every weekend so I feel confident going into round two."
Courtesy of KTM
The Motocross class marked the debut of Jagermeister/MDK/KTM Justin Brayton's first full-time 450 season and the return to motocross racing for the 2001 125cc Motocross National Champion and Shock Doctor/KTM rider Mike Brown. The Jagermeister/MDK/KTM ride of Josh Summey also returned to racing since his hand injury which left him sidelined for half of the Supercross season.
The gate dropped for the first moto and the crowd cheered loud for the #3 bike of Brown who rounded the first turn in 3rd position. Brown showed the crowd why he is a past champion as he continued to battle within the top five for the first few laps of the race. Brayton wasn't as fortunate as Brown on the start and came around the first turn in 20th. Summey was a little farther back in 25th. Near the end of the moto Brayton had moved up to 13th position and was closing in on the 12th place rider when he suffered a crash on a downhill in the back of the track. He was able to remount but had lost valuable positions and finished 21st. Brown rode a solid moto and finished 8th.
KTM WORCS Racer Mike Brown took a solid eighth and seventh in the two heats.
In the second moto, Brown was up front again in 7th position while Brayton was a few spots back in 14th. Summey started near the bottom twenty and began to move his way up. Brayton quickly caught up to Brown and the two KTM riders began to close in on the front of the pack. At one point Brayton passed Brown for 8th position and pulled a few bike lengths ahead. Near the end of the moto Brown passed Brayton back and took over the position. With two laps to go Andrew Short, running in 6th, made a mistake that allowed Brown and Brayton to pass. Brown held his pace and finished an impressive 7th overall while Brayton finished a solid 9th place. Summey encountered a bike problem and was forced to pull off the track on the fifth lap.
"I had a lot of fun out there. It has been a while since I raced a motocross race in the US," commented Brown. "I feel that I did pretty well today although I would have liked a top five finish. I hope to be at a few more motocross events if they don't conflict with my current race schedule."
Searle had a great start when the gate dropped for the first moto coming around the first turn in 2nd place. He was still inside the top three as the first lap was coming to an end, but unfortunately, that race would be red-flagged and the riders were sent back to the starting gate to begin the race again.
Tommy Searle rounded off the podium in Moto 1 of the 250 class, and then placed a solid fourth in the second.
The second attempt was just as successful for Searle. He came around the first turn in 3rd and remained up front. His teammate Wil Hahn also had a great start rounding the first turn in 5th and the third member of the team, Martin Davalos, started mid-pack around 15th place. The Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM riders continued to turn in impressive lap times. Searle spent the majority of the race in 5th position but moved up to 4th right before the checkers. Hahn maintained a steady pace and finished 11th overall while Davalos dropped back due to a leg injury that became inflamed during the race and finished mid-pack. A newcomer to the Motocross Lites class, J-Law Racing's Max Anstie, started around 20th and worked his KTM up to 13th before a crash sent him over the bars and ended his race day. Anstie was taken to the hospital for further evaluation and is hoping to return for the Hangtown National.
In the second moto Davalos got the holeshot on his KTM 250SX-F machine followed closely by Searle. The Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM teammates led the first couple of turns together until Justin Barcia was able to get around. Davalos again faded back due to a lingering injury and eventually had to pull off while Searle was able to maintain pace and stay close to the #151 bike of Barcia. Hahn got pinched off on the start and came around the first lap in dead last. Hahn pushed through the pack and by lap six had moved up ten positions and was sitting in 25th position. Searle held 2nd until lap four and then remained in 3rd position until the half way mark. A mistake on lap nine allowed another rider to pass moving Searle back to 4th. Searle then began a five lap battle with Austin Stroupe for 4th position. On the final lap after swapping positions twice, Searle won the battle taking 4th place by half a wheel length.
