With one of the most memorable seasons in American Motocross history in the books, MX Sports Pro Racing presents the final statistical report of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. 450 Class champion Chad Reed and 250 Class title holder Ryan Dungey provided a clean sweep for the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team while Honda Red Bull Racing’s Ashley Fiolek made history as the first full factory-supported woman to win a championship in the inaugural season of the Women’s Class of the Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship.
Through twelve rounds and 24 motos for each of the men’s classes, parity reigned supreme as a total of 10 riders claimed their first career class victories, including seven in the premier 450 Class alone. The eight round, 16 moto women’s title fight came down to a pair of familiar faces while a lineup of young guns showcased their talent in what is quickly becoming a deep field of fast females.
AMA Motocross Season Review
>> With seven overall winners in the 450 Class, the series featured the most parity since 1999 when seven different riders also stood atop the podium.
>> Of the eleven different winners across both classes in 2009, only Ryan Dungey was a previous class winner, meaning there were 10 first-time class winners this season.
>> Five riders won their first-ever AMA Motocross National in either class: Christophe Pourcel, Jake Weimer, Justin Barcia, Matt Goerke, Tommy Hahn
>> Suzuki’s sweep of the 450 and 250 classes marks the third time in history the manufacturer has achieved the feat. As a whole, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team manager Roger DeCoster’s riders won 45% of the overall victories across both classes (11 of 24).
>> Dungey’s final 11-point advantage over Christophe Pourcel is the closest since 2001, when Mike Brown edged out Grant Langston by just 14 points.
>> Michael Byrne was the only 450 Class rider to score points in all 24 motos.
>> Dungey and Brett Metcalfe are the only two 250 Class riders to score points in all 24 motos.
>> Christophe Pourcel finished on the overall podium in 11 of 12 rounds this season.
>> Chad Reed finished on the podium in 18 of 24 motos in the 450 Class while Dungey and Pourcel did it 17 times apiece in the 250 Class.
>> Ashley Fiolek became the first full factory-supported female to win a national championship as well as the inaugural champion of Women’s Motocross Class of the Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship.
>> Fiolek’s heroic effort to finish the first moto at the Steel City finale after breaking her collarbone clinched the championship as she finished the season with just a 5-point lead over Jessica Patterson.
450cc Class Review
>> Suzuki won its ninth championship in what is now the 450 Class: Tony DiStefano (’75, ’76, ’77), Kent Howerton (80,’81), Greg Albertyn (’99), Ricky Carmichael (’05, ’06) and Chad Reed (’09).
>> Chad Reed becomes the 21st different rider to win a 450 Class championship and the 12th different rider to win a Supercross and Motocross title in the premier class: Bob Hannah, Donnie Hansen, David Bailey, Jeff Ward, Rick Johnson, Jeff Stanton, Jean-Michel Bayle, Jeremy McGrath, Jeff Emig, Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, and Chad Reed
>> Reed has five career 450 Class wins. He is tied with fellow champions Greg Albertyn and Tony DiStefano for 20th all-time.
>> Reed becomes just the fifth international rider to win an AMA Motocross Championship: Pierre Karsmakers (Holland), Jean-Michel Bayle (France), Greg Albertyn (South Africa), Grant Langston (South Africa), Chad Reed (Australia).
450cc Final Point Standings
1. Chad Reed, Australia, Suzuki, 481
2. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 388
3. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 376
4. Michael Byrne, Australia, Suzuki, 348
5. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki, 302
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 280
7. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 249
8. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha, 200
9. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Yamaha, 191
10. Jimmy Albertson, Ozark, Mo., Yamaha, 185
450cc Overall Wins
Chad Reed – 5
Mike Alessi – 2
Matt Goerke – 1
Josh Grant – 1
Tommy Hahn – 1
Ivan Tedesco – 1
Ryan Villopoto – 1
250cc Class Review
>> Suzuki won its sixth AMA Motocross championship in what is now the 250 Class: Mark Barnett (’80, ’81, ’82), Guy Cooper (’90), Travis Pastrana (’00), Ryan Dungey (’09)
>> Ryan Dungey becomes the 23rd different rider to win a 250 Class championship.
>> Dungey ends a five-year Kawasaki streak in the 250 Class and is the first non-Kawasaki rider to win this championship in the four-stroke era.
>> Dungey becomes the sixth rider to win an AMA Supercross Regional and AMA Motocross National title in the same season.
>> Dungey has seven-career 250 Class wins. He is tied with fellow champions Travis Pastrana, Doug Henry and Johnny O’Mara for 18th all-time.
250cc Final Point Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 503
2. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 492
3. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 378
4. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 353
5. Justin Barcia, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 340
6. Tommy Searle, Great Britain, KTM, 332
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 285
8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 273
9. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 236
10. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha, 189
250cc Overall Wins
Ryan Dungey – 4
Christophe Pourcel – 4
Jake Weimer – 3
Justin Barcia – 1
WMX Class Review
WMA Final Point Standings
1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 350
2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 345
3. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki, 258
4. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki, 237
5. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 217
6. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Honda, 192
7. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM, 185
8. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Honda, 170
9. Penni Cyrus, Queen Creek, Ariz., Kawasaki, 157
10. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., Honda, 148
WMA Overall Wins
Ashley Fiolek – 5
Jessica Patterson – 3