One arm in a sling from broken collarbone, the other hoisting the 2009 WMX number-1 plate. It was a memorable day for Red Bull Honda's Ashley Fiolek.
Mother nature was in good humor at Steel City, Pennsylvania, unlike previous years where the track, vendor row, and the pits were a mud fest. This year the Pennsylvania sun was shining, a gentle breeze was blowing and small puffy clouds dotted the skyline without a single hint of rain. As we headed into the motocross finale it was almost quite certain that Honda Red Bull rider Ashley Fiolek would take the WMX Championship. As long as she didn’t DNF, the probability was high that she would be the 2009 Champ.
Moto 1
In Moto 1, when the gate fell it was Honda of Houston rider Jessica Patterson that rocketed out of the gate and crossed the MotorcycleUSA.com Holeshot line. Jessica would increase her lead to over six seconds in the first lap. As Jessica lead the pack, Sara Price, Ashley Fiolek, Mariana Balbi and Elizabeth Bash fought for position. Unfortunately Sherri Cruse crashed early in the race injuring her jaw and shoulder forcing her to concede from both Moto 1 and Moto 2 racing.
Cross the Motorcycle USA Holeshot line first and you get paid. Jessica Patterson scored
both $250 dollar checks on the WMX podium
As the ladies raced on, WMX veteran Sara Whitmore began to move up positions eventually ending up in fifth place. Mariana Balbi’s MotoConcepts Honda was running exceptionally strong as she jockeyed for second position with Ashley Fiolek. From back in the pack, Honda rider Jacqueline Strong and Yamaha Red Bull rider Tarah Gieger put pressure on Mariana Balbi.
Several laps into the moto Ashley Fiolek crashed hard and was slow to get back up and moving. Eventually she did manage to restart her ride and resume the race; unfortunately her position would slip slowly down to seventh as she gingerly navigated the rough track. It was determined at the end of the race that Ashley had in fact broken her collarbone during her crash, yet had managed to finish the race in order to win the WMX championship.
Tested by fellow Honda rider, Mariana Balbi, Jessica Patterson (above) was able to seal the deal in Moto 2.
In the end it was Jessica Patterson for first, Mariana Balbi second and Jacqueline Strong for third. Ashley Fiolek’s seventh place finish was enough for her to win the WMX championship and in obvious pain she accepted her trophy with one arm.
Moto 2
Moto 2 began very much the same as moto 1 with Jessica Patterson once again claiming the MotorcycleUSA.com holeshot award. With Ashley Fiolek unable to race, the fight began between Jessica Patterson, Mariana Balbi, Sara Whitmore and Tarah Gieger.
As Jessica began to pull away, Mariana Balbi followed suite and refused to let Jessica out of her sights. For several laps, Mariana was four seconds behind Jessica and at times it looked as if she might try to overtake the X-Champion.
Fiolek's title hopes were almost scuttled by a broken collarbone in Moto 1, but she persevered for a seventh-place finish and five-point advantage in the final points.
Feeling the pressure from Mariana, Jessica returned with more aggressive riding and faster lap times. Jessica’s tactics paid off as she managed to hold her first place position when the checked flag dropped. The fight continued for Tarah Gieger and Sara Whitmore, but in the end with was Sara who would claim her first podium of the season. As the ladies cross the finish line it was Jessica Patterson for first, Mariana Balbi for second and Sara Whitmore finishing third.
WMX Steel City Results:
1 Jessica Patterson (Honda) 1-1
2 Mariana Balbi Belo (Honda) 2-2
3 Sara Whitmore (KTM) 5-3
4 Tarah Gieger (Yamaha) 4-4
5 Jacqueline Strong (Honda) 3-7
6 Elizabeth Bash (Kawasaki) 6-6
7 Sara Price (Kawasaki) 8-5
8 Allison Vrba (Yamaha) 10-8
9 Penni Cyrus (Kawasaki) 9-10
10 Alyssa Fitch (Honda) 12 9
