Jessica Patterson looks almost unstoppable as she comes in to Red Bud with a perfect score.
The Thunder Valley altitude wasn’t an issue for Jessica Patterson on her DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing
Yamaha. She once again dominated the competition and swept the podium. As the series heads to Red Bud, Patterson sports a perfect score of 150. At the post-race press conference, the Yamaha rider commented that she feels extremely confident and attributes her 2010 success in part to the new DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Team. She stated that she finally has the equipment she needed to compete against the factory teams.
Last year’s champion, Ashley Fiolek, just can’t seem to catch a break. After claiming the first MotoUSA.com holeshot award she was taken out in a corner and was unable to regain her leading position. If Fiolek doesn’t find her groove soon, Patterson will easily reclaim the championship crown.
Also at Thunder Valley was a new racer riding under the Ti-LUBE/Brown Motorsports pit hailing from Germany. Kim Irmgartz, traveled to the US to race Thunder Valley. Unfortunately, she’s only scheduled to race one event this year, though she may race Southwick if she can find a cheap flight. After racing officials delayed the start of Moto 2, Irmgartz commented, “I did not come to America to ride one moto!” Thankfully after 15 minutes officials announced that Moto 2 would continue. Irmgartz finished 12th overall after a 15-10 finish. When asked what her plans were for 2011, Irmgartz said, “For next year I have no plans yet. But I’m going to a GP maybe then going to a WMX event.” We’re looking forward to the foreigner returning and challenging our leading US ladies next year.
KTM's Sarah Whitmore fought hard for a podium spot at Thunder Valley but came up a little bit short in both motos. Will she put the orange bike on the podium at Red Bud?
Sarah Whitmore, who has been struggling this year, had a great race in both motos, earning 6-4 for fifth overall. Whitmore fought hard to keep her third position in Moto 1 but ultimately succumbed to Jacqueline Strong, Tarah Geiger and Fiolek. This was Whitmore’s best race of the season and the first time we’re seeing her determination to win since the beginning of the season. Hopefully she can continue improving and get her
KTM on the podium in the next rounds.
As the season marches on, injuries are starting to take their toll on the riders. MotoConcepts rider Mariana Balbi and
Kawasaki rider Sara Price are racing on injured shoulders. Both riders, however, are still performing exceptionally well. Price placed second in Moto 1 and earned third overall. Balbi was running a good race until she got caught in a mud rut in the second moto.
Fiolek commented in the post-race press conference that her crash in Moto 1 caused some burns and bruises to her arm and shoulder. She was unfortunately unable to show up at the podium to claim her MotoUSA.com holeshot check as her injuries required medical attention.
Meanwhile, Sherri Cruse, who injured her wrist at Hangtown hasn’t officially announced when she’s returning to the WMX. Last week Cruse stated that her wrist is just now strong enough to start practicing again. It’s unclear at this time if Cruse will join the WMX at Red Bud, but word around the pits is Cruse will definitely race the X-Games.
Fiolek is still on the hunt for her first win of the year, but can she keep up that holeshot pace to finally over take Patterson?
The ladies now head to Red Bud for the first time. Red Bud is located just above the Michigan-Indiana state line and claims to attract the largest attendance of any US
motocross race. Red Bud is also home of the infamous LaRocco’s Leap which is the track largest jump on the circuit. This notorious jump has claimed many riders who don’t approach the jump with enough speed or who can’t control their trajectory in midair. The ladies are excited to be racing a new track and several commented that they just might attempt LaRocco’s Leap if track conditions are right.
The weather for Saturday’s race is looking to be decent with a predicted high of 85 degrees and 56% humidity. Compared to the last two rounds where riders were exposed to extreme heat, humidity, high altitude, rain showers, thunder and lightning; Red Bud is looking to be ideal for summertime riding.
Once the gate drops in Moto 1, all eyes are going to be on the #1 plate of Fiolek and the #2 plate of Patterson. Fiolek has routinely been launching off the gate first and claiming the MotoUSA.com holeshot awards, but she’ll need to continue that hard charge if she’s to defeat Patterson. Fiolek is currently 26 points behind Patterson so she must finish first if she wants to close the points gap. Many of the point spreads for several riders are close and positions could change over this race. Red Bud is sure to be an exciting race so stay tuned for the race report on Saturday evening.
