Cracking shots from the GP of Brazil and round 1 of the US Outdoors series from Hangtown, plus what the riders had to say about it all.

Christophe Charlier: “The track was different today! I made a good start but crashed after a jump on the first lap and one rider following landed on top of the bike. I managed to restart but was far behind and tried as hard as I could to come back and reached twelfth. It was good to save a few points. My start was pretty bad in the second moto but I kept going to be the fourth MX2 rider. I keep chasing the podium all the time and now I have ten more rounds to make it happen as much as possible. I want to reach the top three of the championship, this is my goal for the year.”

Broc Tickle: “I think I was around 28th in the first sections of the opening moto, made a bunch of passes and after the second lap, I was in 12th. Then, I lost the front end on lap three. It was a little bit of a bummer that I did that but got it back up, got it going and passed some guys. The guys that I was around already were way out in front of me, so I had some work cut out for me to try to get close to them, but I felt pretty good. I had somebody right in front of me and I wanted to pass them, so I gave ‘er an extra charge there and found some good lines toward the end of the race,” said Tickle. “My last five or six laps were my best laps of the whole race. That was really good. It showed that I was strong. I’m a little bummed because I know where I should be. I normally shine a little better in Outdoors and I am in good shape, but we got the first one out of the way. We have 22 more motos and time to knuckle down, get in there and be around the top five. If you look at the first moto, for instance, my fastest lap was at the end, but the sixth-placed guy; his last five laps were way slower than mine. You know, the competition is deep this year and everybody is healthy right now. The goal for the team and for myself is to do the best we can do. We know where we should be and that’s around fifth to eighth every weekend. That’s where I should be every moto.”

Max Anstie: “It was a difficult weekend and we struggled. I think we had a good setting and set-up and I came into the weekend with good form but I didn’t have the power to push. I wasn’t tired but just not ‘firing’. We go back to the States for a week and I have some time to sort everything out before coming back to Europe and focus 100% for France. I felt more normal in the Superfinal because I was able to pass guys but still we have problems with the starts and we have worked on a few things but it is at the point now where I’m not sure how much practice we can do! We have all been working really hard and it is time now to sit back in the next three weeks and then let the results come. We just need a little bit of luck on our side.”

Clement Desalle: “After the big crash in Portugal I couldn’t really train like I wanted in the week and I could feel it this weekend. It is really positive to get up here on the podium because my feeling was not that perfect on the track, especially in the second moto where the weather and conditions seemed to get to me a little bit. I had a good battle with Max in the first moto and sometimes it was a bit frustrating. I had a small problem with my goggles and lost a second-and-a-half at one point but was able to fight back. We were together the whole race. I felt that the track was short for a 450. It was not that tricky because the speed wasn’t so high but there were a lot of jumps and waves and other stuff. The ground was good and I could control the power of the bike with plenty of traction so that was a positive thing. I think the track would be better if there were some simpler sections. We go to America now and this will be a different kind of training and hopefully a good experience.”

Kevin Strijbos: “I felt really good out there, especially in the second moto! We had a good weekend in terms of getting the set-up right and we made the right choice with my rear shock and then made another change for the second moto. I enjoyed that holeshot and I pushed really hard in the beginning because I knew I would need a gap over Tony when I saw he was in second place. Later on he came closer and closer and I got a bit tired, Tony passed me in a corner and I couldn’t really follow him and he made the gap quickly with just two laps to go. In the end I’m really happy to be on the podium again and to take the first one of the season. We worked really hard in the winter and I hope there will be more trophies ahead!”

Petar Petrov: ‘This was my worst weekend so far this season. All weekend I struggled to find the speed to get in the top 10. On top of that I had bad luck with the crashes in the starts and even while riding I never felt good. It was a hard and disappointing weekend but I hope France will be a turning point. We’ll go back to Belgium now and work hard for the next GP.”

Dean Ferris: “All day I struggled a bit with my intensity. In the first moto I just seemed to be riding around at the start but eventually warmed up and got going. My lap-times were good and I made ground but it was a case of too-little-too-late. Moto2…man, it was chaos. I was second in the class but then some 450s starting coming through, cutting me up and roosting everywhere. They’d overtake but then hold me up and ruin my momentum. Once I was in a group of 250s I started finding the speed again but then crashed. There is not much else to say. Now I’ll go home and train hard and try to find that little bit that’s missing. I need to close down the points in the championship. I need to make it happen.”

Gautier Paulin: “This track is nice to ride, and I had a good feeling on Saturday. Unfortunately another rider came across me and I had to close the throttle at the start so I had to pass a lot of riders to qualify in third place, but I set good lap times and that gave me confidence for a top result on Sunday. Today my start in the MX1 race was not so good and I again had to pass a lot of riders to finish fourth, again with the fastest lap time. In the Superfinal it was difficult to pass -my start was better but there were many ruts and I had to settle for fourth position.”

Max Nagl: “The riding has been great all weekend. I had a good start in the first heat; I was able to pass some guys in the first few laps and finish second behind Tony. I was really happy and proud with this result for everyone, including myself, the team and the mechanics. I had a good recovery before the second heat, which I needed, as the first race was tough with Clement pushing me nearly the whole race. In the second moto I had a good gate jump, but they had ripped the start and I got kicked up a bit when I hit a big lump of mud going down the straight, which cost me a few positions. To finish fourth on the same points is nice, but I am disappointed to have missed the podium of course. When we get back I’ll be taking a few days off to rest, and then we’ll make a plan for the training to try and be prepared for France with the aim of a podium again.”

Evgeny Bobryshev: “In warm-up I was feeling better than yesterday and I tried to push to find the limit with the leg. In the first race I had a bad start and I was really fighting with my bike because I had arm-pump; I was thinking about my leg in the turns, so I was braking early, and the whole race I struggled. I was very disappointed, and in the second race I wanted to improve. I had a bad jump from the gate, but then I held the speed around the first corner and got into seventh. I was quite happy, as I had good speed in the beginning; after the first race I had told myself I needed to block out the pain. I was fighting well, passing a few riders, but Tommy put me down in a corner, so it was difficult to come back. It was very narrow here, which made it tough to pass, but I’d like to say thanks to my team, to Honda Brazil for making such a fantastic job at this event, and everyone who has been behind me. The organisation here is fantastic, the crowd is loud and supportive, so I’ve had a good weekend. Now I am going to be working even harder in the week with a few races before France to try and get more confidence with a bit more speed to come back strong.”

Rui Goncalves: “The start was great and I was able to ride on my own level. I’m definitely satisfied on the super final. Naturally I am a bit disappointed on my start in the first moto, but very happy about the holeshot in the super final.”

Alessandro Lupino: “ Since I broke two ribs at the Italian GP I haven’t been able to train normally, and as a result my physical condition is not at his best so here in Brazil it was not a good weekend for me. In the MX2 race I already got arm pump after two laps, and in the Superfinal I lost time when Pocock crashed in front of me at the second corner. I now have three weeks to recover and I will go in Holland to train; we are nearly at the halfway point of the season, and I want to race top five in France to give the team the results they expect.”

Dylan Ferrandis: “ On Saturday the track was nice to ride, but it was so flat that everyone was going fast and the qualifying race was boring; my start was not so good and I could only qualify thirteenth. In the MX2 race I got a great start and was third in the first corner, and was still fifth when I crashed. I recovered to sixth place again and battled with Tixier, Pocock and Butron until I had to take of my goggles and finished eighth. The start of the Superfinal was a disaster; Coldenhoff crashed and I got his handlebar in my rear wheel! I recovered from last place to ninth, but I was expecting more.”

Jimmy Decotis: “ This is definitively a crazy place with such great fans. The track was one of the better ones I have faced since I started racing the GPs and I feel I have made progress since Portugal. Everyone is working hard to achieve this and I scored points in both races here. My speed is better, but I still need to improve my fitness so that I can keep the pace for the entire forty minutes. But I’m sure it will come soon.”

Gautier Paulin: “ This track is nice to ride, and I had a good feeling on Saturday. Unfortunately another rider came across me and I had to close the throttle at the start; I had to pass a lot of riders to qualify in third place, but I set good lap times and that gave me confidence for a top result on Sunday. Today my start in the MX1 race was not so good and I again had to pass a lot of riders to finish fourth, again with the fastest lap time. In the Superfinal it was again difficult to pass; my start was better but there were many ruts and I again had to settle for fourth position.”

Jeremy Van Horebeek: “ I was happy with my rhythm and my lap times this weekend, but again I found it difficult to get a good start and we need to find a solution so that I can challenge for the podium. I had a good feeling on the bike; I had the speed to be regularly in the top five and I fought back well in all of my races. I know that with some good starts the results will be different. We have three weeks to prepare for the French GP, and I want to thanks the team for the support they have given us on this long trip to Brazil.”

Tommy Searle: “ I struggled all the weekend with my broken finger. I couldn’t ride since Portugal but before I got here I did not think that it would make such a difference! I’m weak in my shoulders and I got tired. In the MX1 race I had a good start, but on the second lap I crashed and lost many positions. It’s good that we now have two weekends free; I need to recover and then get back on the bike to be ready for France. I know that my speed is OK, I just need to be fit again.”

Ken Roczen: “It feels great to get a win here,” remarked Roczen. “I felt confident coming into this race and just knew I needed to get a good start to make it happen. I was able to improve my start in the second moto and hopped into the lead early on. Baggett challenged me for a while but I am glad my conditioning paid off and I was able to get my first overall. I am so thankful to the entire Red Bull KTM team for building me a great bike.”

Tony Cairoli: “I was looking forward to racing this GP. I like the track and the people really cheer for you. Its very special to win here and to put on a show for these people.” He dedicated his 58th career win to the memory of Marco Simoncelli, the Italian road racer who lost his life in a racing accident in 2011. “I am going to give this trophy to his father” Cairoli said. Simoncelli raced with the #58.


Ken De Dycker: “I was struggling with myself this weekend and I didn’t feel like I had any power. Now I will concentrate on training in Belgium and Italy to get ready for the next GP.”

Jeffrey Herlings: “Now I will make it my goal to win every GP. It’s very tough to race the Super final. With 40 riders on the track from both MX1 and MX2 anything can happen, especially at the start.”

Mel Pocock: “This is the best GP I have been to in my life. There is so much atmosphere here and I cannot wait to come back next year. The track was awesome and the preparation also. I got a mint start in the first race and pushed forward in the final stages to make sure of my personal best. In the next moto I had a great start and was the second MX2 rider in the first corner but then Van Horebeek went down and took me with him; I was so pissed off. I came back from last to eleventh in MX2 but it was a shame. I got held up by the 450s. Not really with the MX2 guys because I could pass them quite easily but the 450s were faster in different places. It was hard work but this is by far the best GP I’ve been to.”

Maxime Desprey: “The first moto was great. My start was pretty average but I had a good rhythm and settled into a decent pace to finish eleventh, so I was happy with that. The best thing was that I could recover from a bit of a dip because I had a few laps with some mistakes in the middle part of the moto. The Superfinal was really difficult with the 450s but today was OK.”

Images by KTM, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki

Home town favourite Edgar Torronteras took gold in last nights best whip competition at the final night of the 2013 X-Games Barcelona.

The voting took place online by the fans watching LIVE on the internet, ET gained the most votes for his insane tricks ahead of Ronnie Renner, Thomas Pages, Twitch Stenberg, Nate Adams and Josh Hansen.

Renner and Hansen battled it out in a tense and somewhat long winded “Step up” event to finish the night off, Renner saved the best until last with a huge leap of 32ft.

“That was a battle, probably one of the hardest battles I’ve had,” Renner said. “[Hansen's] a sharp rider; I knew he’d get this step up thing figured out.”

“In Foz, I let my mouth do a lot of talking,” Hansen said Sunday in Barcelona before attempting 31 feet. “Tonight, I’m letting my riding do the talking.”

Added Renner, “How ironic is that, me and him end up on the battlefield together in the end? It’s hard to block all that stuff out, honestly, but I knew I was here for the right reasons and take it real serious.”

“I made the best of it. I got beat by one of the best, so I’m going to work hard and come back and make it happen next time,” Hansen said.

Image by Ray Chuss

Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, who missed most of the second half of the 2012 season, made a comeback of his own by grabbing the Motorcycle-Superstore.com holeshot in Moto 1, garnering one point toward the overall championship holeshot bonus of $25,000 in the 450 Class. However, keeping the lead wasn’t an easy task as three other former 450 Class Champions and several returning contenders chased the 2008 champ early on.

Villopoto took over the lead on the opening lap with Stewart and defending champion Ryan Dungey close in tow. The trio diced it out in the first half of Moto 1 but it was ultimately Villopoto who locked in the moto win, with Dungey in second and Stewart in third.

Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Trey Canard returned to the Hangtown Motocross Classic for the first time since his 250 Class championship-winning season in 2010. Canard made a statement early on as he jumped in behind the lead battle and even closed in on Stewart near the end of Moto 1. Just behind was the epic battle for fifth place between Canard’s teammate Barcia, BTO Sports/KTM’s Andrew Short, Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda’s Malcolm Stewart, Smartop/MotoConcepts Mike Alessi and 450 Class rookie Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson. Malcolm Stewart, Alessi and Wilson experienced issues that dropped all three in the running order, while Canard and Barcia prevailed, rounding out the top five, with Short sixth.

James Stewart began Moto 2 in similar fashion to the first, grabbing the Motorcycle-Superstore holeshot once again and taking over the points lead in the season-long chase for the end-of-the-year cash prize. From there, Stewart engaged in a battle for the lead with Dungey, while Villopoto followed close behind. Near the halfway mark, Villopoto made his move to the front, leaving Dungey and Stewart to fight for the second place position. Dungey bested Stewart for the second place spot in Moto 2, giving the Minnesota native second overall for the day with a pair of second place finishes. Stewart, the 2012 Hangtown winner, scored (3-3) for third place overall. Villopoto went on to secure the first overall win of the 2013 season with a score of (1-1).

“Hangtown has always been a rough place for me so for the bike to feel like it did today was amazing,” Villopoto said. “I’m obviously happy with that and happy with how I rode. I feel like we’re in a really good place and it’s only going to get better from here.”

The 250 Class was set to be a showcase with a full lineup of returning contenders, including defending 250 Class Champion Blake Baggett. Fresh off a wrist injury, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider had no reservations about getting to the front early on as he grabbed the Motorcycle-Superstore holeshot in Moto 1. However, the Red Bull KTM duo of Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen quickly gained control of the lead. Musquin led three laps before his teammate commanded the lead for the remainder of Moto 1.

GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac began the first moto just outside of the top five but made his way into podium contention early on. Tomac first set his sights on Musquin and then made his way around Baggett to eventually secure second place in Moto 1. Baggett finished third, while Musquin took fourth and MyPlash Star RacingYamaha/Metal Mulisha’s Cooper Webb rounded out the top five in his Pro class debut.

In Moto 2, GEICO Honda’s Zach Bell grabbed the Motorcycle-Superstore holeshot but it was once again Roczen who jumped out front on the opening lap. Roczen set the pace early on and Baggett remained close in tow throughout the first half of the race. Roczen eventually put a gap on the defending champion in the final laps of Moto 2, going on to secure his first career victory in the 250 Class.

“Coming here, I didn’t really know what to expect because I sort of took some time to have fun during the week off [between supercross and motocross],” Roczen said. “It’s important to me to keep things fun but next week it’s time to put in some work and make my performance even better.”

Baggett’s score of (3-2) was enough to give him second overall for the day, while Tomac went (2-3) for third overall. Musquin captured a pair of fourth places to claim fourth overall, while GEICO Honda’s Zach Osborne rounded out the top five overall with a (9-5) score.

New Zealand’s Courtney Duncan took the opening round of the Women’s Motocross (WMX) Triple Crown by storm, sweeping both motos of the day in her WMX debut. Duncan bested Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Sayaka Kaneshiro, who finished second overall with a (2-3) score and Texas native Taylor Higgins rounded out the overall podium. Six-time WMX champion Jessica Patterson finished second in Moto 2 but bad luck in the first moto gave her 10th overall for the day.

The WMX Triple Crown returns to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship June 8 for the GEICO Hangtown National in Mt. Morris, Pa. Round 2 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship heads to Lakewood, Colo. for the Rockwell Watches Thunder Valley National next weekend, May 25.

For tickets and additional information, please visit AlliSports.com/motocross and LIKE the Pro Motocross Facebook page and follow @ProMotocross on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and additional information on the latest Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship news.

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Red Bull Hangtown Motocross Classic
Prairie City OHV Park – Sacramento
May 18, 2013
Round 1 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (2-2)
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki (3-3)
4. Trey Canard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Honda (4-4)
5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (5-5)
6. Ryan Sipes, Elizabethtown, Ky., Suzuki (8-7)
7. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM (6-10)
8. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (12-6)
9. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (9-9)
10. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki (13-8)

450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki, 50
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM,44
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki,40
4. Trey Canard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Honda,36
5. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 32
6. Ryan Sipes, Elizabethtown, Ky., Suzuki, 27
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 26
8. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 24
9. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki, 24
10. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki, 21

250 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (1-1)
2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (3-2)
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (2-3)
4. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (4-4)
5. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Honda (9-5)
6. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha (8-7)
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki (12-6)
8. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha (7-13)
9. Joseph Savatgy, Cairo, Ga. KTM (10-11)
10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki (13-9)

250 Class Championship Standings
1. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 50
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 42
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 42
4. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM, 36
5. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Honda, 28
6. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha, 27
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 24
8. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 22
9. Joseph Savatgy, Cairo, Ga. KTM, 21
10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 20

WMX Class (Moto Finish)
1. Courtney Duncan, New Zealand, Yamaha (1-1)
2. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Japan, Honda (2-3)
3. Taylor Higgins, Mesquite, Texas, Honda (4-4)
4. Mackenzie Tricker, Australia, Yamaha (3-6)
5. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., KTM (6-5)
6. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (5-8)
7. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki (7-7)
8. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM (8-9)
9. Hailey Larson, Mill Valley, Calif., Honda (9-10)
10. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (30-2)

WMX Triple Crown Points
1. Courtney Duncan, New Zealand, Yamaha 50
2. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Japan, Honda 42
3. Taylor Higgins, Mesquite, Texas, Honda 36
4. Mackenzie Tricker, Australia, Yamaha 35
5. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., KTM 31
6. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM 29
7. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki 28
8. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM 25
9. Hailey Larson, Mill Valley, Calif., Honda 23
10. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha 22

MOTO catches up with Ricky Carmichael in Barcelona, Ricky’s here for the Fox Europe launch and 2013 X Games.

So much to talk about including tonights Hangtown, RCU back in the UK and his team RCH Suzuki.

Not to shabby a start to the motocross events here at X Games Barcelona. Mike Mason took the gold medal from Rebeaud in the final of the “Speed and Style” event last night at the amazing Palau Sant Jordi arena.

Mike was pretty pumped and had this to say, “I was going to do the same tricks no matter what, but it calms you down on the track. If the guy is right on you obviously you’re trying your hardest, but if I can see a gap, you just want to do a smooth lap, especially on this track. We were all doing the same thing, so there’s really not any room for error.”

Early in the race they were side by side which and had the Spanish crowd screaming for more but Mike’s superior racing skills showed and passed Rebeaud and never looked back.

“After he passed me, I made a couple mistakes and I didn’t get the gold,” Rebeaud said. “But I’m super happy. It’s a medal. I’m on the podium and had so much fun to ride in X Games.”

Images by Ray Chuss

Riders from 12 different countries will attempt to qualify for the 250 and 450 Classes on Saturday afternoon.

For the first time in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross history. former 450 Class Champions Ryan Dungey, James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed will line up together at Hangtown.

In addition to the four past 450 champions, former 250 Champions Dean Wilson and Trey Canard join the superstar lineup in the 450 Class for 2013.

Additionally, former overall race winners Mike Alessi, Josh Grant and Brett Metcalfe will also be lining up on the Hangtown starting line.

Four past Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Motocross champions will make their Lucas Oil Pro Motocross debut this weekend at Hangtown – Cooper Webb, Adam Cianciarulo, Joey Savatgy and Justin Hill.

At 16 years of age, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo is the youngest rider in the series.

450 Class Stats
The first Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship race was held at Hangtown on April 8, 1974, with Billy Grossi winning on a Honda.
This will be the 40th time the gate will drop for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown.
Hangtown wins by brand:

Honda: 16
Kawasaki: 8
Suzuki: 7
Yamaha: 6
Can-Am: 1
Husqvarna: 1
Last win at Hangtown by brand:

Suzuki: 2012
Honda: 2011
Kawasaki: 2010
Yamaha: 2000
First time winners at Hangtown: Mike Alessi – 2009 (Suzuki); James Stewart Jr. – 2006 (Kawasaki); David Vuillemin – 2000 (Yamaha); Kevin Windham – 1999 (Honda); Rick Johnson – 1992 (Yamaha); John Dowd – 1991 (Honda); Jeff Stanton – 1989 (Honda); Alan King – 1984 (Honda); Kent Howerton – 1980 (Suzuki); Marty Smith – 1977 (Honda); Billy Grossi – 1974 (Honda).
Ricky Carmichael is the winningest rider at Hangtown with five victories.
James Stewart earned his first 450 Class victory at Hangtown in 2006.
Yamaha has not won at Hangtown since 2000 when David Vuillemin earned his inaugural 450 Class victory.
Chad Reed ended a six-year drought for Honda at Hangtown in 2011.
From 2002 to 2008, only two riders won at Hangtown: Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart. Carmichael captured four straight victories from 2002-2005. Since then, only two additional riders have won: Mike Alessi and Chad Reed.
Mike Alessi’s first-career victory in both the 250 Class and 450 Class came at Hangtown.

250 Class Stats
The first Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 250 Class race was held April 8, 1974, with Marty Smith winning on a Honda.
This will be the 40th time the gate will drop for a Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 250 Class race at Hangtown.
Hangtown wins by brand:

Kawasaki: 12
Suzuki: 11
Honda: 8
Yamaha: 5
KTM: 3
Last win by brand at Hangtown:

Kawasaki: 2012
Honda: 2010
KTM: 2006
Suzuki: 1994
Yamaha: 1991
First time winners at Hangtown: Blake Baggett – 2011 (Kawasaki); Eli Tomac – 2010 (Honda); Christophe Pourcel – 2009 (Kawasaki); Mike Alessi – 2006 (KTM); Damon Huffman – 1994 (Suzuki); Jeremy McGrath – 1993 (Honda); Steve Lamson – 1992 (Honda); Doug Henry – 1991 (Yamaha); Brian Myerscough – 1979 (Suzuki); Bob Hannah – 1976 (Yamaha); and Marty Smith – 1974 (Honda).
Steve Lamson and Mark Barnett are the winningest 250 Class riders at Hangtown with four wins apiece. Barnett won his four races consecutively.
Eli Tomac made history in 2010 by becoming the first rider in history to win his professional debut.
Jeremy McGrath earned his first professional motocross victory at Hangtown in 1993.

Past Winners

HANGTOWN MOTOCROSS CLASSIC
Sacramento, Calif.

450 Class
Date / Winner / Hometown / Machine
May 19, 2012 / James Stewart, Haines City, FL / Suzuki
May 21, 2011 / Chad Reed, Australia / Honda
May 22, 2010 / Chad Reed, Australia / Kawasaki
May 30, 2009 / Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA / Suzuki
June 1, 2008 / James Stewart, Haines City, FL / Kawasaki
May 20, 2007 / Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL / Suzuki
May 21, 2006 / James Stewart, Haines City, FL / Kawasaki
May 22, 2005 / Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL / Suzuki
May 16, 2004 / Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL / Honda
May 18, 2003 / Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL / Honda
May 19, 2002 / Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL / Honda
May 20, 2001 / Sebastien Tortelli, France / Honda
May 21, 2000 / David Vuillemin, France / Yamaha
May 16, 1999 / Kevin Windham, Ethel, LA / Honda
May 17, 1998 / Jeremy McGrath, Menifee, CA / Yamaha
May 4, 1997 / Greg Albertyn, South Africa / Suzuki
May 5, 1996 / Jeremy McGrath, Menifee, CA / Honda
May 7, 1995 / Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA / Kawasaki
May 1, 1994 / Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA / Kawasaki
June 20, 1993 / Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA / Kawasaki
June 14, 1992 / Damon Bradshaw, Mooresville, NC / Yamaha
March 24, 1991 / John Dowd, Chicopee, MA / Honda
April 1, 1990 / Jeff Ward, San Juan Capistrano, CA / Kawasaki
April 23, 1989 / Jeff Stanton, Sherwood, MI / Honda
March 27, 1988 / Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA / Honda
March 22, 1987 / Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA / Honda
April 6, 1986 / Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA / Honda
March 31, 1985 / Jeff Ward, Mission Viejo, CA / Kawasaki
April 8, 1984 / Alan King, Troy, MI / Honda
March 27, 1983 / Bob Hannah, Carson City, NV / Honda
March 28, 1982 / Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA / Yamaha
March 29, 1981 / Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX / Suzuki
March 23, 1980 / Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX / Suzuki
March 25, 1979 / Bob Hannah, Carson City, NV / Yamaha
April 9, 1978 / Bob Hannah, Carson City, NV / Yamaha
April 10, 1977 / Marty Smith, San Diego, CA / Honda
April 4, 1976 / Jim Ellis, East Hampton, CT / Can-Am
April 6, 1975 / Kent Howerton, San Antonio, TX / Husqvarna
April 8, 1974 / Bill Grossi, Santa Cruz, CA / Honda

250 Class
Date / Winner, Hometown / Machine
May 19, 2012 / Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, CA / Kawasaki
May 21, 2011 / Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, CA / Kawasaki
May 22, 2010 / Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO / Honda
May 30, 2009 / Christophe Pourcel, France / Kawasaki
June 1, 2008 / Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA / Kawasaki
May 20, 2007 / Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA / Kawasaki
May 21, 2006 / Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA / KTM
May 22, 2005 / Grant Langston, South Africa / Kawasaki
May 16, 2004 / James Stewart, Haines City, FL / Kawasaki
May 18, 2003 / Ryan Hughes, Temecula, CA / KTM
May 19, 2002 / James Stewart, Haines City, FL / Kawasaki
May 20, 2001 / Grant Langston, South Africa / KTM
May 21, 2000 / Steve Lamson, Murrieta, CA / Honda
May 16, 1999 / Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL / Kawasaki
May 17, 1998 / Steve Lamson, Riverside, CA / Honda
May 4, 1997 / Ricky Carmichael, Havana, FL / Kawasaki
May 5, 1996 / Steve Lamson, Pollock Pines, CA / Honda
May 7, 1995 / Ryan Hughes, Escondido, CA / Kawasaki
May 1, 1994 / Damon Huffman, Saugus, CA / Suzuki
June 20, 1993 / Jeremy McGrath, Murrieta, CA / Honda
June 14, 1992 / Steve Lamson, Pollock Pines, CA / Honda
March 24, 1991 / Doug Henry, Fairfield, CT / Yamaha
April 1, 1990 / Guy Cooper, Stillwater, OK / Suzuki
April 23, 1989 / Damon Bradshaw, Charlotte, NC / Yamaha
March 28, 1988 / Guy Cooper, Stillwater, OK / Suzuki
March 22, 1987 / George Holland, Kerman, CA / Suzuki
April 6, 1986 / Erik Kehoe, Granada Hills, CA / Suzuki
March 31, 1985 / Ron Lechien, El Cajon, CA / Honda
April 8, 1984 / Jeff Ward, Mission Viejo, CA / Kawasaki
March 27, 1983 / Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL / Suzuki
March 28, 1982 / Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL / Suzuki
March 29, 1981 / Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL / Suzuki
March 23, 1980 / Mark Barnett, Bridgeview, IL / Suzuki
March 25, 1979 / Brian Myerscough, Calimesa, CA / Suzuki
April 9, 1978 / Broc Glover, El Cajon, CA / Yamaha
April 10, 1977 / Danny LaPorte, Yucca Valley, CA / Suzuki
April 4, 1976 / Bob Hannah, Whittier, CA / Yamaha
April 6, 1975 / Tim Hart, Torrance, CA / Yamaha
April 8, 1974 / Marty Smith, San Diego, CA / Honda

500cc Motocross
Date / Winner, Hometown / Machine
March 31, 1985 / Broc Glover, El Cajon, CA / Yamaha
April 8, 1984 / David Bailey, Axton, VA / Honda
March 27, 1983 / Danny Chandler, Foresthill, CA / Honda

2012 Final Stats

2012 Final 450 Class Point Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 580
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM – 453
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 355
4. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., Honda – 354
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 349
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki – 277
7. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha – 247
8. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki – 211
9. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha – 176
10. Tyla Rattray, Durbin, South Africa, Kawasaki – 172

Overall Wins
Ryan Dungey – 10
James Stewart – 2

Moto Wins
Ryan Dungey – 18
James Stewart – 4
Mike Alessi – 1
Tyla Rattray – 1

Overall Wins by Brand
KTM – 10
Suzuki – 2

Holeshot Winners (total)
Mike Alessi – 8
Ryan Dungey – 7
Michael Byrne – 2
Jake Weimer – 1
Andrew Short – 1
Justin Brayton – 1
Tommy Hahn – 1

2012 Final 250 Class Point Standings
1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 519
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda – 499
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 487
4. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM – 456
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM – 406
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda – 316
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki – 265
8. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki – 238
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda – 225
10.Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda – 193

Overall Wins
Blake Baggett – 5
Eli Tomac – 4
Justin Barcia – 2
Marvin Musquin – 1

Moto Wins
Blake Baggett – 10
Eli Tomac – 8
Justin Barcia – 5
Ken Roczen – 1

Overall Wins by Brand
Honda – 6
Kawasaki – 5
KTM – 1

Holeshot Winners (total)
Justin Barcia – 5
Jessy Nelson – 4
Marvin Musquin – 3
Wil Hahn – 2
Alex Martin – 2
Ivan Tedesco – 2
Blake Baggett – 1
Ken Roczen – 1

If you’re a fan of BMX, FMX, skate or Rally – X-Barcelona is not to be missed. Over the next few days MOTO will bring you highlights of all things FMX and more including video and images from each freestyle events from X-Games Barcelona.

Day 1

The venue is vast with 5 different venues on one HUGE site

The fans are chilled checking out what to watch and where to do

No FMX on Thursday but the BMX guys were out getting used to the their course

The ramp is massive but the speed and style course is tight

Queues for tickets were intense to say the least…

In what is becoming a rapidly changing season, the demise of the Mexican Grand Prix has left this fixture an awfully expensive excursion for just a couple of races. Clearly in response to this uncomfortable truth, Youthstream have dropped the 108% rule to avoid the embarrassment of teams and riders travelling 6000 miles to be disqualified if they are unlucky in qualifying. It’s a good move on one front, although on the other hand it may potentially allow very slow local riders to compete well out of their league which is not ideal.

Anyway enough of the rule book, what of the racing. Well, last year the promoters of the Beto Carrero fixture had crafted a rather beautiful circuit right in the middle of a theme park, only to have all their work ruined by horrendously heavy rain. It was a situation that changed the racing quite considerably than what might have happened on a dry day, and threw up some unexpected results. Now you might have thoughts that this was a one off, but with the GP visiting the country in what is effectively the wet season, the Brazilian races could be similarly affected by rain this weekend too.

MX1

In the last GP Preview we pointed out that if anyone fancied changing the inevitable championship winners then they better had get a move on pretty sharpish. Well it seems that Gautier Paulin took on our advice and used the Portuguese fixture to pull off a second overall win on the bounce and chip another few points of Cairoli’s lead. Paulin and the Kawasaki squad were understandably ecstatic at the result, whereas the mood in the normally fun loving and happy AC222 camp was subdued to say the least. It’s a side of Antonio we rarely see and maybe, just maybe the champion is a tiny bit rattled.

Paulin will come to Brazil with his dander fully up and we think he has a strong chance to get number three in the bag. Hoping to stop his progress – apart from Cairoli – there will be a host of others heading to South America seeking a sackful of points. Top of the list is Desalle who despite his nasty crash in Agueda still managed a third spot even if the pain from the tumble kept him away from the Press Conference. Clement still sits away back from Paulin in the points but will grind away all season long to get the best result he can every weekend.

On the grafting front, both DeDycker and Nagl are continued podium threats for Brazil and will be doing their utmost to make the 12000 mile round trip worthwhile.

(We continue to not mention Tommy Searle in this preview as each time we do it, his results improve. If we predict a DNF he might even win!)

Our prediction then ladies and gentlemen – we think Paulin will get number three win ahead of De Dycker and Strijbos. Cairoli will have a win and a DNF. Brave enough for Ya?

 

Highlights from 2012

MX2

I’m sorry but the effect of Mr Herlings on this year’s championship has been nothing short of crushing. Herlings is now routinely running at least 30 seconds ahead of the rest and in Portugal was a ridiculous one minute 18 and one minute 8 ahead of second place, leading every single lap. This is a whitewash of monumental proportions.

Both Jake Nicholls and Dean Ferris traded runner up places behind No: 84, Jake being cruelly denied another podium place by a mechanical in the second moto. Nicholls is fast becoming a very confident and convincing contender and if it were not for that darn Dutchman would stand a very strong chance of a GP win.

We predicted Butron for third and he repaid our tip with that exact position, although we hadn’t thought that Ferris could get a second so good work to him and the Dixon team. Tixier is still in a strong second but can’t slacken off in Brazil if he wants to keep that slot in the table, whilst Max Anstie has been over in the states practicing, so maybe he can get that Suzuki in the top five for both motos.

Prediction for the weekend Sir? – We know that Herlings will get the top honours, and we are quietly confident that Nicholls will get second ahead of Tixier.

MX-Life.tv will be showing the whole thing live but you’ll have to stay up late to catch the action thanks to a considerable time difference. Failing that, catch the highlights on Moto on Monday!

At the ACU’s very own British Championship circuit at Milton Malsor, it was an action packed day of racing in all classes as every position was sought after. It was series leader Elliot Banks-Browne who managed to fend off the opposition in MX2, while a series of event’s led STR KTM’s Jonathon Barragan onto the top step in MX1.

Check out our edit to see what went down on the day.

The CRF450R and CRF250R are renowned winning packages with a combination of power, agility and reliability that makes them popular with professional racers and hobby riders alike. Today Honda releases details of upgrades to these two models for 2014.