Brown put in a near faultless ride and made the technical track look easy as he worked toward his win.

The AMA EnduroCross Series added a new element to its night show line-up for the 2013 season where the twelve riders that qualify for the main event ride in hot laps with the fastest person getting first gate pick. Brown again took the honor of holding the top spot after turning a 40.1. Blazusiak earned the second choice spot with a time of 40.2.

The two riders choose the two inside gates for the start of the main event. Just as predicted, they rounded the first corner in that order with Brown taking the holeshot and Blazusiak in second. They locked into those positions throughout the 12-lap main event. Colton Haaker rounded off the podium.

Mike Brown: “It feels so great to get my first win tonight. I’ve been training hard and working toward this goal for a few years now and everything finally feels right. I am extremely grateful to my team that has been behind me this season and built me a great bike. I hope to carry my momentum into the next round and work toward a championship,” stated Brown.

Women’s event safe in KTM hands
The women’s event was also safe in KTM hands with Shelby Turner andChantelle Bykerk taking the two top spots. FMeanwhile actory FMF/KTM rider and reigning Women’s EnduroCross Champion, Maria Forsberg, had a spell of bad luck in her main event. She grabbed the holeshot in the main but made a mistake approaching a large log section which sent her back to second place. A corner later she was taken out by another rider and because of the position of her fall, had to wait for all riders to pass by before she could get back on her bike. She restarted in last position and in the short three-lap race was able to climb back to fourth place just barely missing out on a podium finish.

This season the women will compete in all seven rounds of the EnduroCross Championships

Next Event: Sacramento, CA – June 8, 2013

Overall Results Pro Class  –
1.    Mike Brown – KTM
2.    Taddy Blazusiak – KTM 
3.    Colton Haaker
4.    Cody Webb
5.    Geoff Aaron – KTM 

Overall Results Women’s Class –
1.    Shelby Turner – KTM
2.    Chantelle Bykerk – KTM 
3.    Rachel Gutish
4.    Maria Forsberg – KTM
5.    Sarah Whitmore – KTM

Round 6 of the world motocross champs in Portugal was gnarly and the final Supercross round of 2013 ended with a little German kid fulfilling his dream.

Ken Roczen: “I am so happy for this championship. It is the biggest championship I have ever won. I am so thankful for everyone on my team that has stood behind me this whole season and believed in me from the beginning. I finally got a great start and was able to get out front,” stated Roczen. “It felt great to see that number one plate on my bike while I was racing. It feels so great to get this win and my championship in the same night. This is really unforgettable.”

Dean Ferris: “This actually feels better than the first podium in Qatar because I was really sick there and couldn’t really soak up what it meant. This one is a bit more special. I’ve been coming back from injury and battling forward for the past six weeks and I’m pretty much fully fit now. I was in a tough battle throughout that whole second moto and that is probably the fittest I have ever felt in a Grand Prix. I actually messed up my start in the first moto and somehow ‘made it happen’ through the first two turns to end up second behind Jeffrey. I had broken away from third and had a few seconds over them when I had a silly tip-off in the turn before the step-up. It took me a while to get the bike up because the clutch lever was stuck in the ground. I was trying to keep it running. After that I couldn’t really get forward any more because there were about seven riders all going the same speed. I was pretty tough on myself afterwards because I had thrown away a lot of points and could have been a comfortable second but moto two was much better. The start helped and I tried to push hard to break away but must have made a big mistake somewhere because Tixier got very close for around fifteen to twenty minutes and it was very cat-and-mouse. Near the end he started being a bit defensive because Coldhenhoff was right with him and that gave me a bit of a gap. I was chasing my lap-times and watching the pit-board but I didn’t even know I was on the podium until I finished so it was a nice surprise with a 6-2.”

Marvin Musquin: “I gave it everything I had in the East 250SX main, and just came up a bike length short of the win. I was very tired in the shoot-out race after fighting so hard in the main so I wasn’t able to battle with my teammate for the win. I am happy that I was still able to get on the podium and I am very happy for Ken and his championship.”

Gautier Paulin: “It’s been a great result today and I’m really happy with my second MX1 victory and being able to battle with Cairoli. I feel I still have some room to improve and we are continuing to work hard with the team who are supporting me in every way possible. I want to continue with these results and be fighting for the victory at every GP.”

Max Nagl #12: 7th overall “In the first heat I had a really good start. I had a battle with van Horebeek and some other riders, which I could pass, and I finished fourth so I was really happy with that race. I was a bit tired, but not destroyed and I had a good recovery between the races. In the second moto I started quite well, but Tommy was on the right of me on the gate and his start was just a little better than mine. He wheelied, and we got stuck with my handlebar and his elbow, so I had to shut the throttle, otherwise we would have had a big crash. I braked early and turned inside, but I was only 14th, so there was a lot of work to do. In the first few laps I was really aggressive, and I’ve never passed so many riders in such a short time. I was pumped with that and with my riding, especially as they were fast riders I was getting by. I was following Philippaerts for some laps and he was pushing really hard. He made a mistake, so I passed him, but I was really tired. I had to just survive to the end, as there was too much of a gap to catch anyone, but from behind they were still pushing. The track was really gnarly with so many bumps, and it was incredibly difficult. From Bulgaria I’m pleased we could make an improvement; we changed my training programme to improve the speed and explosive aggression, which has worked. We need to continue in this way and do some long motos for the physical condition, but we are going in a good direction. We had some new engine parts this weekend from the factory and a new Termignoni exhaust, which has given us some more torque and made the bike even better, so everything is going in a good direction.”

Evgeny Bobryshev # 777: DNS “I was trying to ride yesterday and today, but I had a big crash in qualifying. I tried again in warm-up this morning, with the hope I would be okay, but there was quite a lot of pain. The track was so rough with deep lines, and it was a big risk for me to continue. We decided to stop, as I don’t want to make the injury worse and continue racing week-by-week with injury. For me it’s more important to come back stronger and be able to fight at the front, rather than riding at 30% just trying to get one point while risking making things worse. Brazil is an important race for Honda, and the goal is to go there. I’m going to be working as hard as I can to be able to come back strong for that race.”

Benoit Paturel: “I never felt comfortable on the track, even if I did the fourth fastest time in my group. I had a bad start in the qualifying race, but I tried to push hard but I only could finish eighth, which put me in the middle of the grid. I had to start between position 15 and 20, but I could not find my rhythm and stay in touch with the guys in front of me. As at the Italian GP or the MX of European Nations, I think I wanted to do too much and this blocked my mind, I have to work on this mental aspect. The championship level is as high as expected, but I think I’m able to ride at the same pace as the leaders. ”

David Herbreteau: “It was a tough weekend, in a very competitive championship. In the qualifying race I crashed twice, I was stuck a long time under my bike and this caused a bad starting position. On Sunday my start was not too bad, but I got stuck behind a crash at the first corner. Then during the race I had a very good rhythm and I was happy with my pace. Starting so far behind it was hard to do better than fifteenth.”

Rui Goncalves: “This weekend was not an easy one. My expectations were different than the outcome and of course I am disappointed that I wasn’t able to give a better result for my home crowd, I try get better from race to race and since we started so good, I’m sure that we will be back on track again, even though the result wasn’t what I would have wanted this weekend. I am very fortunate to have my team fighting with me. We discuss the race together and find solutions together and the feeling is very good – we push towards the same direction. My first start was good and I was even able to gain a few places during the first round. When half of the moto was done, I started to loose my rhythm due to arm pump, so I simply sat back a little bit and didn’t flight so hard against it this time. Naturally I lost a few places, but I wanted to see if it was easier to get back to the rhythm by controlling the problem in stead of trying to ignore it. And considering all it seemed to work and I was able to finish ninth.”

Tommy Searle: “We struggled a little bit to find the right bike settings this weekend, but we got there in the end and I was setting the best lap times for most of the second race. In the first moto I took a stone on the middle finger of my left hand; the ligament was broken so the race was tough but I managed to finish sixth. I was wondering if it would be OK for the second race, but the pain subsided after a couple of laps and I was able to charge to fourth place. The track here is always demanding, but it was much more difficult in the tight corners with a 450 than with a 250, particularly with my hand injury.”

Jeremy Van Horebeek: “I have mixed feelings about today, as I could have got better results, even if it was my best GP so far. I got two very good starts; in the first race I had some troubles with my arms, I’m not used to racing near the front this year but I finished fifth and was happy with this result. We made some changes to the front brake between the races as I had the feeling that something was not adjusted to perfection but in the end it was worse and I had no front brake after twenty-four minutes. But I showed everyone this weekend that I’m more and more comfortable on the 450, and I’m sure that I will get soon some top results.”

Santtu Tiainen: “I was quite happy about my riding on Saturday but I just got a bit unlucky today. In the second corner I sort of got stuck with Matiss Karro and twisted my knee. It was really, really painful! Still I managed to finish the race almost normally. We iced the knee in between the races and I received a painkilling injection. However the doctor adviced against starting in the second moto, franky it would have been stupid as well. I will get some more examinations done tomorrow, hopefully the damage will be okay.”

Christophe Charlier: “In the first race my start wasn’t good and I paid for this because it was hard to overtake away from the main line, which was the fastest. In the second moto I was away better and I was fifth and on my own for most of the time. I’m one point away from the podium; so close again. I’m getting impatient now and I want a trophy. The track was difficult today; very bumpy and extremely hard to overtake. Anyway another top five and I’ll keep looking at the overall picture of the championship positions.”

Nikolaj Larsen: “Already during free practice yesterday I went down and landed pretty hard. I tried to race but the pain was unbearable. Luckily the scan showed no broken bones, so probably It’s just a serious compression. I won the first round of the Danish championship two weeks ago and my speed was quite good in Germany last week so I was really looking forward to this GP. I’m really bummed about the situation but this is just part of racing.”

Dylan Ferrandis: “ I had a good feeling with this track right from the first practice session, and I qualified in fifth place. My start in the first race was great; I raced top six all race to finish fifth, even though I had some discomfort from pumped-up forearms as it’s the first the this season that I have been racing at the front of the pack. My second start was not as good but I made a lot of good passes on the first lap and had just passed Charlier before he jumped on my bike and my chain was broken with the impact. It’s frustrating, but I feel that I’m improving and I will soon be battling for podium results.”

Max Anstie: “Everything went well yesterday and I put in good times and we were third in both timed sessions; even when I went down in the qualification heat I was able to get up and move my way through. In both races I just felt like I was struggling. We didn’t get out of the gate and I don’t know why because we have been working so much on the start – it is all I have been doing during the week. On the track I felt like I was coming through OK but having to push very hard to pass. I made a few mistakes and went down in the second moto when I clipped some guy in the air. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time for a few moments today and it set me back. A shame; it could have been a much better weekend.”

Jeremy Seewer: “I’m happy with third in the first race but for sure the win would have been nicer. We have seven races to go so it was a solid way to start. I know I can do better and my goal is the title; top three overall for sure. I have to look towards Ernee and the Grand Prix of France now. The track was completely different today; yesterday it was dry and hard and because of the watering, it was deep and with many ruts. I didn’t struggle but there was just one good line in the morning and it was difficult to pass another rider.”

Brian Hsu: “My physical condition was good today but I had a stomach ache from the middle of the moto. I just kept going and tried to get as far as I could. I didn’t like the single moto final so much: It means just one chance. There is no second moto or second opportunity. Anyway, I’m enjoying the RM125 because there is plenty of power. With the 85 I was pushing the bike! I like the 125; it’s great for learning.”

Alessandro Lupino: “I felt good on the bike this weekend and had a good feeling with the track but I was unlucky and didn’t get the results I deserved. In the qualifying race I finished tenth even though I crashed on the last lap, but my start in the first race was not so good. However I fought back to seventh but then I missed a rut and crashed hard; it was tough to continue, as I was seeing stars for a few seconds. I went to the medical centre between the races and the examination showed that there is something wrong in my lung; maybe I have some water inside and I will go for further consultation this week. I was not feeling 100% for the second moto, but nevertheless I finished seventh.”

Jason Clermont: “I only tested the bike a few hours before coming here, and it was great to come back to the GPs on a good bike. I had good lap times in the races, but I need to improve my starts, to be faster in the corners and be more aggressive during the first few laps to get better results. I came from a long way back in both races to score points each time, and this was a demanding track to race for my return to the GPs.”

Ryan Dungey: “I just want to thank the Red Bull KTM Factory Team for their continued support this season. We were able to finish third overall in the championship, which is still something to be proud of. We will now focus on our next goal which is to defend our 450 Motocross Championship.”

Jimmy Decotis: “I’ve worked hard with the team since Bulgaria, but again this weekend I had difficulty with the track. I had the worst place on the grid and crashed during the opening lap of race one, then in race two I started last and finished twenty-first; for sure it’s not what I and the team are expecting but we’ll continue to work until we get there.”

Jeffrey Herlings: “This weekend I did my best and I worked hard on my starts. I took the three holeshots and was leading in every lap. The speed was unbelievable. I was as fast as the MX1 guys so I couldn’t ask for more.”

Jordi Tixier: “I struggled at some places on the track so I was not so happy with my riding. I missed the podium by one point but I didn’t get hurt when I crashed, I made some good points for the championship and I’m ready for the next GP in Brazil.”

Tony Cairoli: “Paulin was trying to attack all the time but I was still able to win. It’s a shame it wasn’t enough to win the GP but it was still good for the points and the championship.”

Clement Desalle: “What can I say? In the first moto I had good speed but I struggled the whole heat. I wasn’t relaxed and couldn’t find my rhythm. It was not so good, but also not so bad to finish third. In the next moto I was fourth at the start but it was the same thing: I was stuck behind Paulin and found it really difficult to pass. I couldn’t find a way, and Cairoli was just ahead. In the last two laps I said to myself ‘it’s now or never’. I did a good lap-time and got really close to Paulin but had a big crash in the braking bumps and now I have pain everywhere. I picked up the bike and could finish the race but my neck and back is painful. I was in the medical centre and they said I was OK but if tomorrow it is worse then I will go for a scan on Tuesday. I just went into that jump a bit faster than previous laps and the bumps kicked me over the top. I can’t remember if the bike hit me or not. It was a hard track but I liked it. I’m disappointed because I felt like I could win the GP. The two guys were just in front of me. Anyway, I did my best and I can only hope for some more fortune in the next races.”

Kevin Strijbos: “A bad weekend overall and I couldn’t get going with the track. Yesterday I had arm-pump and had it again after the first lap of the first moto. I just rode around for the 40 minutes and couldn’t pass riders that I normally would do in one corner. I was so angry after that race. We tried a new shock for the second moto and it was better and I had less arm-pump but couldn’t find any aggression. I really don’t know why. A bad GP: I expected a lot coming here because I’ve had some decent results in the past. I know the track gets rough and I can be good on it, but today was not my day.”

Ken DeDycker: “Now I need to be better for the next race but I have a good bike and I am not scared of any track. I know if I get a good start I can run with Tony and all the other guys.”

Tanel Leok (#40): “In the first race I felt good and was riding good in ninth but then I stalled the bike and couldn’t get it starting again. When I got it going, I was seventeenth and could only fight back to thirteenth. In the second race I couldn’t find a rhythm and I wasn’t happy with myself. One moment I was seventh and suddenly eleventh where I stayed following Simpson around.”

Jason Dougan (#85): “I came together with someone on the third turn and bent the bike up in the first race, continued but decided to stop as the bike was losing power. I didn’t have a great start in the second race and rode average for seventeenth; I’m still not 100% and have a lot of work to do.”

Arminas Jasikonis (#77): “The weekend wasn’t so good. In free practise I was seventeenth, but that was bad because I couldn’t get used to the track. The qualifying race was going not so good as well either. With two laps to go I was passing another rider, I crashed with him and broke my hand. I hope to be back on the bike as soon as I can.”

Images by Ray Archer, KTM, Kawasaki, Suzuki, CDS, Sarah Gutierrez, Monster Energy, Yamaha and Honda

Barcia raced to the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award to begin the 450SX Class Main Event, with MotoConcepts Racing’s Mike Alessi and Slaton Racing Honda’s Vince Friese in tow. Villopoto positioned himself in the top five, while a first-turn pileup claimed both Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey and TwoTwo Motorsports Honda’s Chad Reed.

Villopoto wasted little time in moving forward and was in second place by Lap 2, just a few tenths behind Barcia. Rockstar Energy Racing’s Davi Millsaps followed Villopoto into third place.

Both Barcia and Villopoto slowly pulled away from Millsaps as the race progressed, setting the stage for a battle to the finish. The Seattle crowd cheered on Villopoto, their hometown rider, but as the duo encountered lapped riders, Barcia’s lead began to increase.

Barcia led all 20 laps of the Main Event, mirroring the performance from his inaugural 450SX Class victory at the second race of the season in Phoenix.

I tell you what, that holeshot is so key,” said Barcia. “We made some great changes today on the bike. It was a tough track with so many lines, but there was one main line that was so much better than any other. I’ve been waiting for this since Phoenix.

Villopoto’s runner-up finish extended his podium streak to nine races, during which he has finished either first or second.

“I didn’t get the start I wanted, so to come out the way I did and salvage that was awesome,” said Villopoto. “I rode 20 solid laps but Justin [Barcia] was on it. I just really couldn’t do anything with him. The way it turned out tonight was pretty good for what we were up against [at the start].”

Millsaps finished third for his 10th podium finish of the season, and moved into second in the championship standings. Dungey overcame the incident on the opening lap to finish fourth after starting in 18th position.

Villopoto holds a 25-point lead over Millsaps in the 450SX Class standings and can clinch his third straight Monster Energy Supercross title if he maintains that advantage following next weekend’s 16th race of the season.

In the first Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Main Event since the sixth race of the season in February, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac grabbed the Nuclear CowboyzHoleshot Award and quickly pulled away from the field. Behind him, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Ryan Sipes and Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Christian Craig assumed second and third, respectively. Roczen positioned himself in fourth, but moved into a podium spot prior to the conclusion of the opening lap.

With his championship rival behind him, Tomac opened a multiple-second margin as Roczen methodically moved past Craig into second on Lap 2. For several laps, the pair maintained their distance from one another until Tomac came up short on a jump on Lap 9 and was thrown off his motorcycle. Roczen assumed the lead, but Tomac was able to remount in second.

Roczen pulled away for the remainder of the 15-lap Main Event to extend his lead in the point standings. He has finished first or second in each of the seven Western Regional 250SX Class Championship races this season.

It’s good to bounce back from a bad Heat Race with good start,” said Roczen, who crashed twice in his Heat Race. “I just put my head down and rode smart. The track was really technical out there, with a lot of ruts. It feels good to get a win after such a long break; it’s tough to get in a groove after so much time off, but I’m so happy I was able to walk away with this one.

Despite his misfortune, Tomac still finished second, but faces a significant deficit in the championship with only two races remaining.

“The track was getting tough in the Main Event,” said Tomac, who still has the most wins in the class with four. “I got a good start and started pulling away, but then I made a big mistake. It’s kind of a bummer, but that’s racing. I was lucky enough to be able to get up in second and still finish on the podium.”

GEICO Honda’s Zach Osborne secured his first podium finish of the season in third.

Roczen carries a 20-point advantage over Tomac into next weekend’s eighth race of the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship.

450SX Class Results: Seattle

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
3. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki
8. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha
9. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
10. Phillip Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., Yamaha

450SX Class Season Standings

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 321
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 296
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 295
4. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 245
5. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda, 213
6. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 202
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 189
8. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 174
9. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha, 162
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 155

Western Regional 250SX Class Results: Seattle

1. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
3. Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
4. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki
6. Austin Politelli, Menifee, Calif., Honda
7. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Suzuki
8. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., KTM
9. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Kawasaki
10. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki

Western Regional 250SX Class Points

1. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM, 163
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 143
3. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 113
4. Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 102
5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 99
6. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Kawasaki, 94
7. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha, 86
8. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., KTM, 75
9. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 74
10. Austin Politelli, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 72

In addition to being a sponsor of the RCSX at Daytona, Pro Circuit’s Mitch Payton, Jim “Bones” Bacon and current Eastern Regional 250SX points leader Dean Wilson will be on site to meet with riders and fans, and provide unique insight on bike setup, performance and what it takes to succeed.

“Pro Circuit is happy to be a returning sponsor for the Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross being held at the world famous Daytona International Speedway. Pro Circuit’s association with Ricky is well known and we are happy to be part this event,” said Mitch Payton. “This is a rare opportunity for those participating in the Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross to ask and get answers to their questions and recommendations from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable individuals. Pro Circuit hopes everyone has a chance to stop by and say hello and enjoy the distinctive opportunity that this event affords the “Pros of Tomorrow” at Daytona International Speedway.”

Pro Circuit’s Dean Wilson will be on site for the RCSX to meet racers and fans.
Photo: Simon Cudby / Racer X

Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Barcia, of Greenville, Fla., won the second-annual Monster Energy Cup tonight at Sam Boyd Stadium and earned $100,000 for his efforts. Auston Forkner, of Richards, Mo., raced his Kawasaki to the Super-Mini Class Championship, sweeping both Main Events. Yamaha’s Cooper Webb, of Newport, N.C., captured the Amateur All-Star Class title.

JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s Josh Grant, of Corona, Calif., opened the Monster Energy Cup’s first Main Event with the Toyota Holeshot Award with Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., following in second and third, respectively. Villopoto quickly worked his way into the lead on Lap 2 and Dungey assumed second place. A mechanical problem hindered Dungey’s charge to the front of the pack, and he salvaged a third-place finish. In his first premier class race, Barcia finished in second place and Villopoto cruised to the win.

Villopoto backed up his first win with the Toyota Holeshot Award in the Monster Energy Cup’s second Main Event. Motoconcepts’ Mike Alessi, of Hilliard, Fla., and Dungey crossed the Holeshot line in second and third, respectively. While leading, Villopoto crashed and lost several valuable positions as Alessi moved into the lead. Coincidently, Dungey experienced mechanical problems once again and struggled in the second 10-lap Main Event. Barcia secured the number-two position on Lap 4 and, after an intense battle with Alessi, he moved into the lead.

On lap 7, Barcia ran through the Joker Lane, which is a essentially a rolling pit stop, and Alessi moved back into the lead. The following lap, Barcia moved back into the lead and rode to victory. Alessi opted to run through the Joker Lane on Lap 9, allowing Dungey to move into second place, where he would finish. Heading into the third and final Main Event, Barcia has a two-point lead over Dungey.

In the third and final Monster Energy Cup Main Event, Alessi captured the Toyota Holeshot as Dungey and Barcia followed closely in second and third, respectively. After winning Main Event #1, Villopoto did not line up for the final Main Event as a result of the hard crash in the second Main Event. Alessi crashed on the opening lap, Dungey moved into the lead, but after he chose to go through the Joker Lane, Barcia assumed the lead. On lap 9, Barcia chose to go through the Joker Lane, giving the lead to GIECO Honda’s Eli Tomac, of Cortez, Colo. Tomac held on for the win, Barcia finished second and Dungey finished third.

Dungey finished second overall and Tomac finished third overall.

“All the guys in this class are really fast, and I am happy to turn in the performance I did tonight,” said Barcia. I tried to hold off (going into the Joker Lane) until late in the race, and that gave Eli the chance to move into the lead. I have been working hard and will continue to work hard.”

In the Amateur All-Star Class’ first Main Event, Webb led Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda’s Shane McElrath, of Corona, Calif., through the Toyota Holeshot. McElrath moved into the lead on the opening lap. On Lap 2, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, of Port Orange, Fla., moved into third place but later crashed on Lap 4. McElrath finished first, Webb finished second and Jordan Smith, of Belmont, N.C., finished third aboard his Honda.

Cianciarulo started the Amateur All-Star Class’ second Main Event with the Toyota Holeshot and began to distance himself from the field. McElrath crashed in the first turn and started near last place. Yamaha’s Paul Coates, of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., settled into second place, where he would finish, and Webb finished third.

Cianciarulo finished second overall and Coates finished third overall.

“It feels awesome to be out ahead of all the best riders in this class,” said Webb. “I was just trying to make my way up to the podium; it was shocking I won the overall, but still awesome.”

Forkner captured the Toyota Holeshot aboard his Kawasaki in the opening Main Event of the Super-Mini Class. Kotaro Takahaski, of Las Vegas, and Ashton Hayes, of Rockford, Mich., held down second and third place, respectively. On lap 4, while in second place, Takahaski, who rides for Kawasaki, crashed and dropped back to fifth place. Triston Miller, of Alpine, Calif., moved his Suzuki in to second place following Takahaski’s crash. Forkner picked up the win, Miller finished second and Chase Sexton, of LaMoille, Ill., finished third aboard his Yamaha.

Forkner followed Challen Tennant, of Willis, Texas, through the Toyota Holeshot and staked him until Lap 4 when he made a pass for the lead. On the same lap, Tennant crashed and gave up second place to Joey Crown, of Metamora, Mich., and Takahaski moved into third. Forkner scored the win, Tennant finished second and Takahaski finished third.

“It feels amazing because I have been thinking about this all year, and to come here and win is awesome,” said Forkner. “It was a great race tonight and awesome to feel what it is like to race supercross.”

Sexton finished second overall and Takahaski finished third overall.

Monster Energy Cup Overall Results
1. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Honda
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
4. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki
5. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda
6. Josh Grant, Corona, Calif., Yamaha
7. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
8. Jake Canada, Corona, Calif., Suzuki
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki
10. Mike Alessi, Hillard, Fla., Suzuki

Monster Energy Cup Main Event 1 Results
1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
5. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda
6. Josh Grant, Corona, Calif., Yamaha
7. Mike Alessi, Hillard, Fla., Suzuki
8. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
9. Jake Canada, Corona, Calif., Suzuki
10. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

Monster Energy Cup Main Event 2 Results
1. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Honda
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
3. Mike Alessi, Hillard, Fla., Suzuki
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
5. Josh Grant, Corona, Calif., Yamaha
6. Chad Reed, Dade City, Calif., Honda
7. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
8. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki
10. Jake Canada, Corona, Calif., Suzuki

Monster Energy Cup Main Event 3 Results
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
2. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Chad Reed, Dade City, Calif., Honda
5. Josh Grant, Corona, Calif., Yamaha
6. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
7. Jake Canada, Corona, Calif., Suzuki
8. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki
9. Vince Friese, Valrico, Fla., Suzuki
10. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki

Amateur All-Star Overall results
1. Cooper Webb, Newport, NC., Yamaha
2. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki
3. Paul Coates, Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Yamaha
4. Shane McElrath, Corona, Calif., Honda
5. Brady Kiesel, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda
6. Nick Gaines, Ringgold, Ga., Kawasaki
7. Anthony Rodriguez, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
8. Jordon Smith, Belmont, NC., Honda
9. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki
10. Daniel Baker, Crittenden, Ken., Suzuki

Amateur All-Star Main Event 1 Results
1. Shane McElrath, Corona, Calif., Honda
2. Cooper Webb, Newport, NC., Yamaha
3. Jordon Smith, Belmont, NC., Honda
4. Brady Kiesel, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda
5. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki
6. Anthony Rodriguez, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
7. Paul Coates, Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Yamaha
8. Nick Gaines, Ringgold, GA., Kawasaki
9. Cody Gragg, Lenoir, NC., Yamaha
10. Keith Tucker, Fuquay Varina, NC., Yamaha

Amateur All-Star Main Event 2 Results
1. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki
2. Paul Coates, Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Yamaha
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, NC, Yamaha
4. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki
5. Daniel Baker, Crittenden, Ken., Suzuki
6. Nick Gaines, Ringgold, GA., Kawasaki
7. Kyle Swanson, San Clemente, Calif., Honda
8. Anthony Rodriguez, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
9. Brady Kiesel, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda
10. Jayme Gardiner III, Las Vegas, Kawasaki

Super-Mini Overall Results
1. Austin Forkner, Richards, MO., Kawasaki
2. Chase Sexton, LaMoille, Ill., Yamaha
3. Kotaro Takahasi, Las Vegas, Kawasaki
4. Luke Purther, Oak Hills, Calif., KTM
5. Joey Crown, Metamora, Mich., Suzuki
6. Tommy Maxey, Bloomingdale, GA., Kawasaki
7. Challen Tennant, Willis, Texas, KTM
8. Mark Worth, Santan Valley, Ariz., Kawasaki
9. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha
10. Brandon Hartranft, Brick, NJ., Suzuki

Super-Mini Main Event 1 Results
1. Austin Forkner, Richards, MO., Kawasaki
2. Tristan Miller, Alpine, Calif., Suzuki
3. Chase Sexton, LaMoille, Ill., Yamaha
4. Mark Worth, Santan Valley, Ariz., Kawasaki
5. Challen Tennant, Willis, Texas, KTM
6. Tommy Maxey, Bloomingdale, Ga., Kawasaki
7. Kotaro Takahasi, Las Vegas, Kawasaki
8. Jeremy Byrne, Oak Hills, Calif., Yamaha
9. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha
10. Tanner Stack, Oak Grove, MO., Kawasaki

Super-Mini Main Event 2 Results
1. Austin Forkner, Richards, MO., Kawasaki
2. Joey Crown, Metamora, Mich., Suzuki
3. Kotaro Takahasi, Las Vegas, Kawasaki
4. Chase Sexton, LaMoille, Ill., Yamaha
5. Bret Welch, Oklahoma, City, Okla., Kawasaki
6. Brandon Hartranft, Brick, NJ., Suzuki
7. Sean Cantrell, Newbury Park, Calif., Kawasaki
8. Westen Wrozyna, Newtonville, Can., Honda
9. Robbie Wageman, Newhall, Calif., Yamaha
10. Tommy Maxey, Bloomingdale, Ga., Kawasaki

The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, hosted its annual stop from Central New York on Saturday, with the 10th round of the season from Unadilla. Continuing his dominance of the 450 Class field, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., captured his second career title with two rounds remaining by sweeping the day’s motos for his eighth consecutive victory. In the 250 Class, Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin, of France, broke through for his first career win on U.S. soil.

BTO Sports/Palmetto Suzuki’s Michael Byrne, of Australia, and Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., battled for the early lead in the opening 450 Class moto, with Stewart taking the spot on the second lap. However, the following lap, Stewart crashed out of the lead, dropping to the tail end of the field and allowing Byrne to reassume the position. The same lap, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, passed Byrne but went down moments later, unable to finish the race.

Byrne paced the field for the next seven laps and opened a multi-second advantage, only to experience misfortune of his own and suffer an injury that ultimately forced him out of the moto. In Byrne’s absence, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle, of Holly, Mich., took over the lead with Dungey, who also fell in the early stages of the moto, assuming second.

Tickle fended off Dungey for four laps, but the KTM rider made his move with two laps remaining to take a hard-fought moto win, battling his way forward from 10th place. Dungey’s closest championship rival, MotoConcepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., also suffered from misfortune in the moto, completing only four laps before pulling off with a DNF, which put Dungey is position to claim the title.

In Moto 2, Dungey capitalized on a good start, slotting himself into third place early behind Team Chaparral Honda’s Andrew Short, of Smithville, Texas, and Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s Davi Millsaps, of Cairo, Ga. Dungey wasted little time in moving forward, passing both of his competitors to move into the lead by the third lap. Once out front, Dungey never looked back and brought home his 22nd career premier class win, tying him with Ricky Johnson for third on the all-time wins list.

“It was a pretty amazing day,” said Dungey. “To be honest, I knew we could wrap (the championship) up today, but my focus was putting on a solid performance and moving forward. Mike (Alessi) has been riding well, but unfortunately there was a DNF. In the second moto, I just wanted to put in a solid ride and wrap up this championship. It’s amazing to see everything that’s gone in to making this moment happen. It’s pretty special.”

Dungey’s championship is a historic one for KTM, marking the Austrian brand’s first title in the 450 Class.

“I knew we had the right people behind us and if anyone could do it, (Team Manager Roger DeCoster) and this team could,” added Dungey. “We struggled at times, but as a team we worked it out and were able to overcome it. It took a lot of effort from everyone here and overseas. We had a god opening round and just kept making progress. I committed everything and winning a championship is paying that due. I hope this is the first of many more.”

Tickle posted a career-best runner-up finish (2-4), while Short rounded out the podium in third (4-3).

In the 250 Class, GEICO Honda’s Zach Bell, of Cairo, Ga., positioned himself at the front of the field of the opening moto and led the first two laps before giving way to Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen, of Germany. Once out front, Roczen pulled away from the field and claimed his first moto win since moving to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship this season.

In Moto 2, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia, of Monroe, N.Y., took advantage of the holeshot to open an early lead and rebound from a seventh-place finish in the first moto. Behind him, fellow GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac, of Cortez, Colo., and Musquin began to assert themselves at the front of the field.

Tomac eventually closed in on Barcia and passed his teammate on Lap 8, pulling away for the moto win. Musquin solidified himself in third through the remainder of the moto and the consistency was enough to award the former two-time World Motocross Champion the overall win.

“This is my best result here,” said Musquin. “I was finding good lines, and this track is really about technique. I (also) got two good starts. In the first moto, I was happy to follow Kenny (Roczen) and in the second moto I was determined to get a good start because I haven’t been doing that this year. I kept thinking about the overall, because I knew Tomac and Barcia had trouble (in Moto 1). With Kenny and Ryan (Dungey) winning as well, it was a good day for KTM. ”

Tomac (6-1) and Roczen (1-6) finished with identical moto results, tying for second overall, but Tomac claimed the spot by virtue of the second-moto tiebreaker.

Points leader Blake Baggett, of Grand Terrace, Calif., finished fifth overall aboard his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki but still maintains possession of the 250 Class lead, 24 points over Barcia.

After a break in the action next weekend, the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will return with the 11th of 12 rounds this season in Pennsylvania. The Steel City National from Delmont’s Steel City Raceway will host the world’s best riders on Saturday, September 1, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Red Bull Unadilla National
Unadilla – New Berlin, N.Y.
August 18, 2012
Round 10 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (1-1)
Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (2-4)
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (4-3)
Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha (3-5)
Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (5-6)
Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha (6-8)
Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (8-9)
Phil Nicoletti, Cohocton, N.Y., Honda (7-11)
Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki (12-7)
Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (39-2)

450 Class Championship Standings
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 480
Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 367
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 311
Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 293
Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 293
Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 226
Justin Brayton, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Honda, 202
Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki, 182
James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 163
Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha, 150

250 Class (Moto Finish)
Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (2-3)
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (6-1)
Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (1-6)
Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (7-2)
Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (3-5)
Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (11-4)
Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (9-8)
Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki (5-12)
Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki (13-7)
Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda (14-9)

250 Class Championship Standings
Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 436
Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 412
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 408
Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 385
Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 336
Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 255
Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 215
Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M, Suzuki, 206
Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 189
Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda, 16

Image by Hoppenworld.com

The popular Spring Creek MX Park has been challenging the world’s best riders for three decades and this season’s 30th Annual National will feature a full day of live television coverage across FUEL TV and NBC Sports Network.

  Spring Creek MX Park boasts multiple elevation changes and a dynamic mix of technical terrain.

(Courtesy Andrew Fredrickson)

With four consecutive overall wins highlighted by an eight-moto winning streak, Minnesota native Ryan Dungey is carrying all the momentum into his home race. The Red Bull KTM rider put forth his most convincing performance of the young 2012 season last weekend at RedBud and now heads to what could be considered his home turf in Millville, where he hasn’t lost since 2008 when he was a competitor in the 250 Class.

Dungey’s 18th-career victory last Saturday put him in a tie with Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart and legend Kent Howerton for fourth on the all-time wins list, and also extended his championship lead to 72 points. Stewart has been Dungey’s primary challenger this season despite missing four motos with an injury. He won the first two rounds with back-to-back 1-1 efforts and made his full-time return to action at RedBud with a third-place finish.

MotoConcepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi has also been a consistent front-runner, but a crash in the first moto last weekend cost him valuable points in the championship. Despite rebounding with a second-place effort in Moto 2, Alessi missed out on the overall podium for just the second time in 2012 and will be in search of a strong performance at Spring Creek.

Last season in Millville, Dungey relied on a memorable come-from-behind ride in the second moto to pass eventual champion Ryan Villopoto for the victory as both riders took advantage of the misfortune that befell fellow championship rival Chad Reed.

   Ryan Dungey is in search of his fifth straight win this season as well as at

Spring Creek.

(Courtesy Carl Stone)

Since starting the 2012 season with exceptional parity, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett has begun to assert himself as the rider to beat in the 250 Class. The winningest active rider in the division has posted back-to-back wins and also leads the class with three overall victories this summer. While a 6.2 starting average has often forced him to work his way through the highly-talented field of riders in order to achieve success, Baggett has shown a penchant for hard-charges that have so far gone unmatched this season.

As Baggett’s points lead gradually increases – now at 19 points – fellow race winners Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac will be looking to put a stop to his surge in momentum. Additionally, consistent Red Bull KTM rider Ken Roczen hopes to break through for his first career victory on U.S. soil, despite missing out on the overall podium for the first time at RedBud.

Last season at Spring Creek, Tyla Rattray and eventual champion Dean Wilson traded moto wins with Rattray emerging victorious by virtue of his second-moto triumph. Baggett followed his teammates in third.

Blake Baggett hopes to make it three-in-a-row heading into the second half of 2012.

(Courtesy Carl Stone)

Spring Creek has been a staple of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship since hosting its first National back in the 1983 season. Since then, it has become an anticipated stop on the schedule thanks to its challenging layout that features a healthy assortment of obstacles, as well as multiple dramatic elevation changes. Millville is home to three of the sport’s most iconic features, including the longest start in Lucas Oil Motocross, the “Holy Schmit” jump – named for late local legend Donny Schmit – and the infamous sand whoops that are often the site of where a race is won or lost

The Bob’s Cycle Supply Spring Creek National will feature a full day of live broadcast coverage for any fans uable to attend the event. Live first moto coverage of the 450 and 250 Classes can be seen FUEL TV, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern, in addition to the live stream at AlliSports.com. Live second moto coverage of both classes on NBC Sports Network begins at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Previous Round Results and Current Standings

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship

Red Bull RedBud National

RedBud USA – Buchanan, Mich.

July 7, 2012

Round 6 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (1-1)
2. Justin Brayton, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Honda (3-4)
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki (6-3)
4. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (4-5)
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (11-2)
6. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (5-9)
7. Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ontario, Canada, Honda (7-8)
8. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (9-7)
9. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (12-6)
10. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (2-20)

450 Class Championship Standings

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 286
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 214
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 202
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 178
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 162
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 151
7. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 142
8. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 137
9. Justin Brayton, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Honda, 131
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki, 100

250 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (2-2)
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (5-3)
4. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (4-4)
5. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (3-6)
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (6-5)
7. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (9-7)
8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki (7-12)
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda (12-9)
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda (11-10)

250 Class Championship Standings

1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 272
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 253
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 236
4. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 235
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 189
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 161
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 125
8. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M, Suzuki, 121
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 109
10. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda, 105

Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jason Anderson raced to his best result of the season at the fifth round of the Lucas Oils AMA Motocross ‘Lites” series at Budds Creek at Mechanicsville on Saturday aboard his RM-Z250.

Anderson rallied after a poor start to finish seventh in the first moto and then sixth in the second to bring home a commendable sixth overall for the day.

Said Anderson: “This weekend was good: I had a bad start in the first moto but came up to seventh. In the second moto I was running fourth and ended up coming-out with sixth in the moto. I was sixth overall and I felt more solid than I usually do, so this was a good day for me. We’re going to keep at it during the break and be fighting-strong for RedBud.”

Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki team-mate Blake Wharton is getting back into his 250 MX groove after missing last season due to injury. Although he got a less-than-stellar start in the first moto, Wharton came back to ninth. In the second moto, he crashed on the first lap but rallied to finish 18th. Overall, Wharton was 12th for the day.

“I rode pretty good in the first moto,” said Wharton. “But it was a rough weekend. You have them every now and then – sometimes more often than you want. But we’ve got a little break now, so we’ll rest up and come back strong for RedBud.”

Continuing to progress and improve in the 250 class, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Racing’s Hunter Hewitt went down at the start of the first moto and had to come from dead last. Even so, Hewitt made it from 40th to 25th. In the second moto he got off the line better and finished 15th and finished the day in 18th overall.

Said Hewitt: “Today was kind-of tough: In the first moto, I went down on the start and couldn’t re-start my bike. I came from last all the way to 25th. In the second moto, I just tried the best I could. I got a decent start and went all the way to 15th and stayed there. Now we’ve got a two-week break before RedBud, which is really much appreciated.”

Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson currently leads the overall Championship points in the WMX class – which didn’t run at Budds Creek – and Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Martin Davalos continues to recover from a recent crash.

The next event for the Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki team is the sixth round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday July 7th at the RedBud National in Buchanan.

Honda World Motocross riders Evgeny Bobryshev and Rui Gonçalves gave their all during a tough weekend with injury, which reaped only a fifth place in moto two for Bobryshev, while Gonçalves took a double points scoring finish with a broken rib for round eight of the MX1 World Championship in Bastogne, Belgium.

In the opening moto of the day Gonçalves made a good start into fifth position, while Bobryshev tangled with Ken de Dycker going into turn one with the pair then struggling to free their machines to rejoin the race at the back of the field.

Gonçalves was pushing hard around the Bastogne track, at which conditions had vastly improved thanks to sunshine this morning, although mid-race he was suffering with the painful broken rib sustained in yesterday’s timed session, and eventually slipped back to 15th place. Bobryshev, who also fell yesterday and is having problems with pain when he breathes deeply, managed to get within reach of the top fifteen in a handful of laps when a problem with the front brake, which was damaged in the crash off the start, caused him to fall again and ultimately ruled him out of the race.

Moto two certainly saw great improvements over the opening stint with Bobryshev getting a superb start, taking the lead on the first lap and battling initially with Christophe Pourcel in the opening stages with great pace aboard his factory CRF 450R. The Russian-ace had some arm pump mid-race and rode sensibly with no risk while battling through the pain to take a strong fifth place at the chequered flag. Gonçalves made a steady start into 10th position and rode through the pain barrier to take another points scoring finish in 15th place.

Antonio Cairoli won both races and the MXGP circus now has one weekend off before heading to the next round in Uddevalla, Sweden.

Evgeny Bobryshev #777: 11th overall
“The weather had improved a lot since yesterday, but this kind of track is almost like old school with the mud, stones and so on. I had a really bad night sleeping with the noise from the camping area, but anyway the first race went wrong straight from the gate. I crashed with de Dycker, who came across so fast as I was turning from the inside, and damaged my front brake. I crashed again because the front brake was damaged. The second race was much better, as I led a little bit, but I did struggle too. I haven’t really had good races with crashes and injury, so I got a bit pumped up in the middle of the race, just with not having many races being close to the front of the field where we should be. I am happy with fifth place, as it’s better than nothing and it is closer to the place I need to be. I had a lot of pain with the chest, and I don’t like taking painkillers because i t affects my vision. It’s hard to breathe when riding, but now we’ve got a bit of time to recuperate and get healthy ready for Sweden.”

Rui Gonçalves #999: 15th overall
“It was a really difficult day after the crash yesterday, where I fractured my rib and damaged the cartilage. I had a tough night with the pain, as I couldn’t breathe properly, or find any way of getting comfortable, then this morning it just felt like there was a knife inside with so much pain. I knew it would be tough, and I’ve never broken a rib in the past, but to be honest it’s not the best thing to have on a race day. I decided I could race with some painkillers and strapping from the doctor, but in some stages in both of the motos I couldn’t breathe. The pain was really intense, taking a lot of my energy, so I just had to try and battle to get to the end of each race. I really don’t know what’s going on, as I feel like I’m swimming against the current; every time I get nearly healthy something else happens. I won’t give up, and I just hope I can ride without pain to show my performance at 100%, as this has be en the fourth injury of the season, which is definitely enough now. Thanks goes to the team for their support and now I’ll go home to get a more detailed look at the injury.”

Lorenzo Resta: Honda World Motocross Team Manager
“It was another tough day for us. We already knew with Rui it would be a very difficult day, and I am really proud of what he did. With a broken rib he was fighting right until the end for the points and never gave up, then to see him really crying out with the pain after he came back from the track showed how brave he was, so I want to say thanks to him for all of his effort. With Bobby in moto one the crash at the start affected the outcome of the race. He was coming back really strong, but the front brake disc was broken and this eventually ended his race. In the second moto he showed that he is not only fast, but he’s a clever guy as he reduced his speed a little bit to stay there and not to make any mistakes. Now we continue our work with this week’s rest and build up for the next round in Sweden.”

(Image credit Sarah Guiterrez)

Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing picked up another top-10 finish in the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championships at the Budds Creek National fifth round at Mechanicsville on Saturday.

Brett Metcalfe raced his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 to two respectable moto finishes to bring home sixth overall, which moved him up to fifth in the title chase.

Metcalfe overcame two lacklustre starts by putting his head down and charging through the field: In the first moto, the Australian clicked off solid laps to get to eighth by the race’s end. In moto two, he came out even stronger and slotted into eighth by the half-way point. He rode aggressively for the remainder of the moto, moved into seventh and eventually sixth for a combined moto result of sixth overall.

Said Metcalfe: “It was a tough track. In moto one, I had a bad start and I came from a long way back to get up to eighth. During the break, I worked with the Yoshimura Suzuki team and we made some changes for the second moto. I needed a good start but I didn’t get it and I was back in 20-plus position. But I rode hard, the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 was brilliant; and I made good passes. Now, we have a break and I’m going to focus on my starts to be better at RedBud. I want to really put the hammer down to get the results I want.”

Yoshimura Suzuki team mate James Stewart continues to suffer from a wrist injury incurred in his recent crash at round three at Thunder Valley. Knowing the series was about to go into a two-week break before the next round, Stewart opted out of Budds Creek so he could focus on recovering and returning 100 per cent at RedBud.

“I was sorry to miss Budds Creek,” said Stewart. “I’m getting better, but I’m still not where I need to be to be racing. I’m just looking forward to being completely healthy in a few weeks so I can come back and race the way I was racing at the start of the season.”

Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing’s next event is the sixth round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday July 7th at the RedBud National in Buchanan.

2012 Budds Creek MX 450 Results:

1. Ryan Dungey
2. Broc Tickle
3. Mike Alessi
4. Jake Weimer
5. Justin Brayton
6. Brett Metcalfe (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450)
7. Josh Grant
8. Davi Millsaps
9. Andrew Short
10. Ryan Sipes

2012 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Standings:

1. Ryan Dungey – 236
2. Mike Alessi – 182
3. Jake Weimer – 179
4. Andrew Short – 154
5. Brett Metcalfe (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450) – 142
6. Broc Tickle – 134
7. James Stewart (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450) – 116
8. Josh Grant – 111
9. Nico Izzi – 95
10. Justin Brayton – 93