AMA Motocross News
With the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship season halfway over, premier class rookie and Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey continues to lead the way in the 450 Class, capturing his fifth straight victory at the series’ last round from RedBud over the Independence Day holiday weekend. On Saturday, the second half of the season kicks-off from Dungey’s home state of Minnesota for the Rockstar Energy Spring Creek National in Millville.
450 Class
Rockstar/Makita Suzuki
Dungey’s current run of five consecutive victories has him firmly in the driver’s seat in the chase for the championship. For the last two seasons, he’s walked away from his home race with back-to-back overall victories in the 250 Class. Growing up riding the Spring Creek layout, he no doubt feels extremely confident at the track and will look to continue his winning streak at the facility in front of his family and friends this weekend.
Teammate Matt Moss posted his best result of 2010 with a solid 14th place effort. The Australian rookie continues to acclimate to the premier class and is consistently improving.
Monster Energy Kawasaki
Reigning 450 Class champion Chad Reed returned to the second position in the championship standings at the last round after a strong outing at RedBud in which he posted a runner-up effort. Last season at Millville, Reed took the overall win and began a stretch run of dominance that led him to the title. He’ll look to end Dungey’s early-season dominance on Saturday in an attempt to go back-to-back at Millville.
“The weekend off was good, but I would have rather been racing,” said Reed. “I’ve been training hard in the Florida heat and I’m ready for anything thrown at me this week.”
Teammate Nick Wey is coming off his best finish of the season heading into Spring Creek. The Michigan native thrived at his home track at RedBud, posting a 10th-place finish and will look to carry that momentum into this weekend.
“I got a good finish last week, but I want to be better,” said Wey. “Millville has always been a good track and I’m looking forward to racing this weekend.”
GEICO Powersports Honda
Despite another strong showing at RedBud in which he finished fourth overall, Brett Metcalfe fell from second to third in the 450 Class standings. The rookie premier class rider has put together an impressive season and has consistently been one of the quietest, yet best-finishing riders in the class throughout the first six rounds. As the second half approaches, he’ll look for more of the up-front consistency that has put him in the thick of the title fight.
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda
Although he’s had some ups and downs throughout the first half of the season, Ben Townley is starting to come into form. His performance at RedBud was the best he’s had all season and it yielded another podium result. His last lap mistake that took away an opportunity at his first career moto win in the premier class left a bitter taste in his mouth and he will come back stronger than ever this weekend to try and claim what he felt was his to lose. His recent string of outstanding runs has moved him into a tie for fourth in the championship with Andrew Short.
Honda Red Bull Racing
Andrew Short is doing what he does best this season, running consistently at the front of the field. While his effort at RedBud might be considered a disappointment by his standards, the veteran rider is putting together an outstanding season, especially considering that he was forced to sit out an entire moto during the second round of the season. With a moto win under his belt and the best starting average in the class, Short knows he has what it takes to win and will look to put together two solid motos in an effort to achieve that.
Joining the Honda Red Bull Racing team this weekend and throughout the second half of 2010 is fan favorite Kevin Windham. After losing Davi Millsaps for the season at Budds Creek due to injury, the Honda team summoned one of the most experienced riders in series history to make a return to the nationals. While it remains to be seen how Windham will do, the mere presence of the number 14 on the track will bring the fans to their feet.
Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGR
After serving notice that he is a contender in the premier class at Thunder Valley, Josh Grant’s efforts to back up his performance resulted in an up and down day at RedBud. The second-year 450 Class rider has been plagued by bad starts throughout the first half of 2010 and this weekend’s race at Spring Creek, where he went toe-to-toe with Chad Reed last season, will serve as an opportunity to turn things around for the second half.
Justin Brayton’s last round at RedBud was a tough one. As the second year 450 Class rider continues to work his way back from injury, he was forced to overcome misfortune at the previous round, failing to finish the opening moto and only managing an 18th-place effort in Moto 2 to finish 21st overall. He will look to bounce back this weekend.
Jagermeister KTM
Mike Alessi’s consistent top-10 efforts in 2010 have come as a bit of a surprise to many in the industry. After dominating the series before injury forced him out of competition last season, many thought he’d be in the thick of the title fight. However, since taking the second moto win at Hangtown, the ultra-quick rider has not returned to the podium and appears to be making a dedicated effort to dial in the new 350cc bike KTM has introduced this season and return to the front of the field where he has proven he belongs.
250 Class
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
While they came up short in taking the overall win for the just the second time in 2010, Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki squad still landed a pair of riders on the overall podium at RedBud. Both Christophe Pourcel and Dean Wilson have been the class of the 250 Class field when it comes to consistency and are the top two riders in the standings as a result of that. They’ll both look to continue to maintain that momentum throughout the second half of the season starting this weekend.
“It has been fun staying on the podium, but I want to win again,” said Wilson. “Millville should be a good race and I know my teammates are some of my toughest competition.”
Fellow teammate Tyla Rattray has also been exceptionally strong, holding an overall win of his own and third place in the standings.
“We are only halfway through the season, so anything can happen,” said Rattray. “I’m just focused on getting good finishes. The weekend off helped me heal a little so my thumb will be no issue this weekend.”
GEICO Powersports Honda
Trey Canard’s previous outing was the most memorable of his career as the third year rider was finally able to breakthrough and capture his first career AMA Motocross victory at RedBud. The win helped solidify his spot in fourth place in the championship standings and closed the gap to third place behind Rattray. As of now, he sits only seven points out of the top three and has considerable momentum and even more confidence heading into the second half of the season.
DNA Shred Stix/Star Yamaha
Quietly amassing an impressive season, Broc Tickle finished seventh at RedBud and currently sits fifth in the 250 Class standings. The Michigan native was hopeful of a better result at his home track, but still put forth a great effort. He will look to break onto the overall podium throughout the rest of the season and continue what has been a breakout year.
With a ninth place effort at RedBud, Martin Davalos continues to climb up the 250 Class standings with a string of impressive outings. The Ecuadorian rider currently sits ninth in the championship and hopes to continue his progression through the field.
WMX Class
The MotorcylceUSA.com Women’s Motocross Championship hits Spring Creek MX Park on Saturday for their first event at the renowned facility. After a dominating start to the season in which she posted five wins through the first five rounds, DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jessica Patterson watched her perfect season come to an end at RedBud as Honda Red Bull Racing’s Ashley Fiolek captured what was surprisingly her first win of the 2010 season. Fiolek’s win brought Patterson’s run to an abrupt conclusion and it will be intriguing to see how Patterson responds this weekend.
The stars of the WMX Class will lay it all on the line at the start of each moto in hopes of capturing the $250 MotorcycleUSA.com Holeshot Award while Rekluse will provide its best sponsored female with the Top Rekluse Rider award and $100 in prize money.
