Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme : FIM Motocross News

Philippaerts and Paulin rule Dutch championship opener

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:42:00 +0100

Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team’s David Philippaerts and Gautier Paulin again sampled victory upon their works YZ450FM and YZ250FM machines, this time in the sand of Holland as the Italian and Frenchman won the MX1 and MX2 classes respectively in the first meeting of the national series at Mill.

After triumphant runs in the first two rounds of the Italian Championship both riders transferred their attentions to northern Europe and the sand as they continue to dial-in their new motorcycles ahead of the FIM World Championship on April 3rd/4th. Mill represented the last pre-season outing for the team.

Philippaerts was ruthless through the soft and rutted terrain to obtain two race wins and easily claim the overall. He charged from third to first in the opening moto in as many laps, defeating world championship rivals like Marc de Reuver, Kevin Strijbos and Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team’s Ken De Dycker. In the second moto he was masterful and pulled away to take the flag from sand-specialist De Reuver by more than five seconds. “I am happy with this race and especially to beat riders like De Reuver and De Dycker here,” said Philippaerts. “We made some tests in the sand to find a good set-up during the week and everything worked well, so that is very good. The sand was not too deep and pretty hard underneath but it was still bumpy and rutty. I was pushing quite a bit to win as De Dycker kept close in the first moto and De Reuver was chasing me in the second. Overall this was a good way to end the pre-season and now we will think only about Bulgaria.”

After taking 2nd to Philippaerts in the first race, DeDycker did not finish the second as the stomach virus he had been suffering in the days leading up to the event finally took its toll and he pulled out.

Paulin was less than a second behind Joel Roelants on his first competitive race with the YZ250FM in the sand but improved his runner-up slot by one position in the second Heat. The 19 year old set the fastest lap and escaped to win by 24 seconds. “Yes, I am quite pleased although my start was not great in the first moto and I wasn’t so happy by the fact that I could take the lead but Roelants could keep attacking,” said the overall MX2 winner. “I improved my performance for the second race and it was good to end the day in this way.”

The first three Grands Prix of the season will take place in Bulgaria (hard-pack), Italy (sand) and Holland (sand) throughout the month of April. Philippaerts and De Dycker will give the 2010 YZ450F its MX1-GP World Championship debut at Sevlievo on Easter weekend.

Meanwhile in Italy, Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi’s Christophe Charlier won the third round of the MX2 Italian Championship at Gallarate and now leads the contest by 16 points with one race remaining.

Villopoto Takes Win Number Five in Toronto

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, made its first and only visit outside the United States with much success as 42,083 devoted Canadian fans packed into Toronto’s Rogers Centre for the 10th stop of the 2010 season. It was another strong night for Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., as he raced to his fifth win of the year. GEICO Powersports Honda’s Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, Ga., captured the AMA Supercross Lites checkered flag for his first-career win.

As the gates dropped on the premier AMA Supercross class main event, Honda Red Bull Racing’s Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla., grabbed the Spike Holeshot Award followed by Valli Motorsports/Rockstar Yamaha’s Ivan Tedesco, of Murrieta, Calif., and Villopoto. Prior to the conclusion of the first lap, Villopoto made his move for the lead around Canard and went on to lead all 20-laps of the main event.

“I really wouldn’t be in this position without all of my team and everyone involved,” said Villopoto. “The last couple weeks we’ve been on it and it’s what we need to do. (The racing is) close and it’s been tough. I need to make up ground and I got to make those passes quick. I (also) need to keep getting good starts.”

Current points leader Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., started the race in fourth but worked his way into second place on lap five and ran there the rest of the way aboard his Rockstar/Makita Suzuki, minimizing Villopoto’s advantage. Canard held on for third, his third straight podium result.

After a dominating start to the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel, of Groveland, Fla., Barcia became just the second different winner this season in the class after grabbing the Spike Holeshot Award and leading all 15 laps of the main event. Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Austin Stroupe, of Lincolnton, Fla., kept Barcia honest throughout the race by running a close second and went on to garner his fourth consecutive runner-up finish. The battle for third was close between Pourcel and his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate and Canadian native Dean Wilson, of San Jacinto, Calif., but the defending Eastern Regional Champion was able to secure the third and final spot on the podium.

“(This win) means everything to me,” exclaimed Barcia. “I really want to thank my mom and dad and my team, GEICO Powersports Honda. All these fans here were cheering me on so thanks a lot to everyone. It’s an incredible feeling, I’ve been trying so hard all year. This definitely ranks at the top of my list as far as accomplishments and I feel to lucky to have such a great team behind me.”

Dungey currently holds a 17-point lead over Villopoto in the AMA Supercross standings. Pourcel leads Stroupe by seven points in the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship. The 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season continues next weekend from the brand new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

AMA Supercross Class Results: Toronto

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki

2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki

3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda

4. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

5. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda

6. Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha

7. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki

8. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki

9. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

10. Matt Boni, Geneva, Fla., Honda

Season Standings

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 214

2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 197

3. Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 177

4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 152

5. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 147

6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 136

7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 135

8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 113

9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 92

10. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki, 89

Suzuki’s Dungey Holds Double-Digit Advantage as Monster Energy Supercross Invades Canada

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:16:00 +0100

Villopoto Looks to Continue Winning Ways

Despite a dominating victory last weekend in which he led all 20 laps of the main event, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto still sits at a 20-point disadvantage in the AMA Supercross standings. As the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season hits the second half and heads to Toronto’s Rogers Centre for its lone race outside the U.S., Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey sits in firm control of the premier class championship. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel remains a perfect three-for-three in the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship as the 8-race title fight hits the halfway point.

When the championship concluded its annual race from Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, it was Dungey who stood atop the podium with his third win of 2010 and all the momentum of the championship after Villopoto suffered a frightening crash while running second and finished 19th. Dungey held a 20-point lead over his rival heading into Daytona last Saturday night.

In last Saturday’s AMA Supercross class main event, it was all Villopoto, who rebounded from his worst outing of the season in dominating fashion, grabbing the lead early and never looking back en route to his fourth win of 2010. Dungey rode to a strong runner-up finish, minimizing the loss of points in the standings to only three. Honda Red Bull Racing’s Trey Canard, fresh off a career-best runner-up effort in Atlanta, posted his second consecutive podium finish in third.

The second stop of the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship produced one of the most exciting races in recent memory. Three different riders found themselves at the front of the field as Wilson captured his first Spike Holeshot Award as a professional and went on to lead the next nine laps. On lap 10, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Austin Stroupe made his move and led until lap 13 when his front wheel slid out from under him. The error allowed Pourcel to capitalize and lead only two laps on his way to win number two.

On Saturday night in Daytona, Stroupe found himself at the front of the field yet again and put forth a quick pace to gap his competitors. However, Pourcel began to make methodical work of closing the deficit and made a stellar pass for the lead on lap six and never looked back. Stroupe would hold on to the runner-up spot while Wilson maintained his recent run of momentum to grab his first-career podium finish in third. The trio also holds down the top three positions in the current AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship standings.

Last year in Toronto, San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart earned his ninth win of the season as he continued a season ending quest to overcome then points leader Chad Reed after a horrific crash in Daytona and fall the week prior in St. Louis. In the AMA Supercross Lites class, Pourcel dominated for his fourth win of the Eastern Regional Championship season, extending his seemingly insurmountable points lead heading into the championship’s final race.

The first AMA Supercross race held in Toronto was December 4, 2004 when Ricky Carmichael won on a Honda. When Toronto became a regular part of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, schedule on March 29, 2008, Chad Reed won on a Yamaha. Last year, Pourcel captured the first-ever AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship main event from the Rogers Centre. With both Reed and Stewart’s returns in question, Toronto could host its third different winner in as many years.

Championship Standings

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 192
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 172
3. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 162
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 150
5. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 131
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 124
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 117
8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 99
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 82
10. Michael Byrne, Noonan, Ga., Yamaha, 80

Photo Credit: Brian Robinette

Dungey Secures Contented Position at Supercross Halfway Point

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:24:00 +0100

As Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, reaches its halfway point in the season, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn. leads the AMA Supercross class with 170 points followed by San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill, of Carlsbad, Calif., with 150 points.

A rookie in the premier AMA Supercross class, Dungey has won three races and claimed two additional podium finishes. He currently has led 74 of the 160 laps this season and has the most Spike Holeshots with four overall. He has work cut out for him as the second half of the season approaches this weekend in Daytona.

“The bike feels great, but there’s always room for improvement”, said Dungey. “Everyone on the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team is behind me 110 percent, which is good. When I see people putting in everything they’ve got, then I can put in everything I’ve got and we make a great team. We’re just trying to keep moving forward as a team and sometimes you have to go backward to go forward but things are working out so far.”

Heading into Indianapolis two weekends ago, Dungey was tied in points with Hill, but this changed when Hill finished ninth and dropped back into third place in season points standings. As Hill fell in the standings, Villopoto, who sat in third place at the time, won the Indianapolis stop and moved up into a share of first place with Dungey as they rolled into Atlanta. During the Atlanta race, Villopoto crashed on lap 10 while chasing down his rival, allowing Dungey to comfortably win and lock-in a 20-point lead over Hill heading into this weekend. Villopoto now sits back in third place with 147 points, 23 out of the lead.

In the coming weeks, defending AMA Supercross class champion James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., and former AMA Supercross champion Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., plan their return to the circuit following injuries which left them out for a several of races.

Photo: Frank Hoppen

FIM Motocross World Championship in Asia

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:34:00 +0100

Recently elected President of the FIM Asian Motorcycle Union (UAM), Mr. Stephan Carapiet, was in Geneva for the FIM Spring meeting which ended on Sunday, February 28, and during these days he met with Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM/CMS President, and Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream President, to discuss about Motocross and SuperMoto developments in Asia. Discussions were very positive and a Grand Prix in Asia can be expected in 2011.

Youthstream will support the Asian Motocross Championship as it already does with the European Championship.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream President, stated: “We are delighted about this close cooperation with FIM Asia, the present and future markets are there and they have the best motorcycle market in the world with a growing economy.

“We hope that with this partnership we will see more Grand Prix events in Asia and we also hope to improve the level of the Asian riders and see more and more Asian riders participating in the FIM Motocross World Championship. We would like to thank Mr. Carapiet and we are confident our partnership will be very successful.”

Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM/CMS President, continued: “The 21st century is very likely be the period where Asia will grow very fast, in terms of economy and population. I expect also perfect chances for the sport in general and for motorcycle sport in particular, as sport is a very important part of the social and cultural life of people.

“I am extremely happy that Mr. Stephan Carapiet, whom I know very well since many years ago, has taken over the position of President of FIM Asia. I trust that with his knowledge of the sport and his strong commitment we will soon reach the target of hosting FIM Motocross World Championship events in Asia in the very near future.”

Mr. Stephan Carapiet, President of the FIM Asian Motorcycle Union, ended: “My heartfelt thanks to Dr. Wolfgang Srb and Mr. Giuseppe Luongo for their confidence in me. Having worked with both of them in countless FIM endeavors in the years past, I am positive that with their expertise and capabilities, our collective efforts will bear fruit and we will soon be able to realize and fulfill our monumental goal of bringing motorcycle sport in the Asian continent to greater heights.”

Mala will host the best Snowcross riders in the World

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:09:00 +0100

Mala, idyllic place in Sweden, will host the FIM Snowcross World Championship 2010. The new Snowcross World Champion will be known on Saturday 27 March. Sweden is the European center of Snowcross and the home country of the 2009 World Champion Peter Eriksson.

Mala is a municipality in Västerbotten Country in northern Sweden. It is situated within the province of Lapland. The nearest towns are Arvidsjaur and Lycksele. Besides Mala the administrative district consists of 28 villages. Mala is one of the geological centres in Sweden. It is also rich of mineral resources. There are woodworking and engineering industries. Mala is well known for its good and beautiful environment.

Peter Eriksson will not defend his title because he decided to take a break from racing after winning last year’s Title. There will be other strong Swedish riders like discovery of the season 2009, young Petter Narsa, the 2008 World Champion Emil Ohman, Viktor Stenman and many others. Also best riders from America and Canada will come to Sweden. In the last season home rider Emil Ohman was the defender of the 2008 Title but he lost it already in the second of three events, when he did not finish the first heat. It seems that this year the rivalry will be much stronger.

Last year riders had to attend three events to fight for the Snowcross World Champion Title. This season they will have only one. This will be also a big thing for the organizer, Swedish club Mala Snöskoter Klubb. Pauline Hedström, press responsible from the club explains: “It means a lot for us to host all the best riders. This is what we have been working for and now we finally have the chance to take the sport to a new level. For Mala generally this is the biggest event that Mala ever had. Every company in the village is somehow working for the event. The municipality collaborates with us and help us with the marketing. They see it as a winning situation and they want us to succeed.”

After the successful event in the past season, Mala is interesting also for riders out of Europe. Pauline Hedström said: “ There will be also three top American riders and four riders from Canada. This year a lot of American riders contacted us because now they have a chance to become the Snowcross World Champion. On Friday before the event we have an opening dinner for riders and collaborating people. On Saturday after the race there will be an evening with the unofficial prize giving ceremony and the dinner entertainment.”

The organizer did not make any special changes on the track, because everyone was satisfied with it at the last year’s event. The track is very pleasant for spectators, who can see riders all the time. The goal of the club is to have around 10.000 spectators, what will be more as last two years.

Dungey Wins Again for Rockstar Makita Suzuki!

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:57:00 +0100

The air was electric in Atlanta as the main event gate dropped for Round 8 of the AMA Supercross series. Ryan Dungey, who went into the night tied for the series points lead, conducted the entire field of racers around the track for 20 laps and crossed the finish line first. The win gives the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider some breathing room atop the standings.

“I got a great start, which put me in a good position,” Dungey said after the race. “It’s really enjoyable when the win happens. It doesn’t always go your way, so when it does you have to be very thankful for it.” Dungey, aboard his RM-Z450, put in consistent lap times throughout practice and his heat race. At the drop of the gate in the main event, Dungey shot out and got the holeshot and then began his race domination. “At the practice track, what we work on is setting the pace lap after lap,” Dungey said. “So when I get in that race situation where I’m up front, it’s similar and I think, ‘Hey, I gotta keep putting in the laps.’ There’s pressure when you’re leading, but at the same time I just gotta ride and have fun and do what I got to do.”

The win was Dungey’s third of the season, and he is now 20 points ahead of second place. “It was awesome tonight,” Team Manager Roger Decoster said. “Not only did Ryan ride excellently and win, but we got the points lead. But now we can’t get conservative…we have to go for the win.”

In the second race of the Eastern Regional Lites series, Austin Stroupe and his fuel-injected RM-Z250 put on a great show. Stroupe was in the chase the entire 15 laps, and he lead for a few laps before a mistake took him back a few positions. “I didn’t want to lead too early, but I made a mistake and got a little tight,” Stroupe said. “With me riding the way I did and putting a charge in, I was going for it and making good decisions, and that was cool. I got a little lucky and pulled through. I think I rode pretty consistently, despite the bobble I made, with passes and used the whole race to my advantage and let it come to me.” Stroupe finished second and is currently second in points.

Expect the Rockstar Makita Suzuki racers to be at the front of the pack in Round 9 of the AMA Supercross series, which takes place on Saturday, March 6, in Daytona Beach, Florida. For more information on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Team, go to www.suzukicycles.com.

Dungey Reclaims Points Lead with Victory in Atlanta

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:10:00 +0100

ATMonster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, made its annual visit to the south and once again it was a race to remember as 69,182 fans filled Atlanta’s legendary Georgia Dome on Saturday night. Entering the evening in a dead heat atop the standings with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., captured his third victory of 2010 to move into sole position of the top spot. In the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel, of Groveland, Fla., raced to his second-consecutive win of the season.

As the gates dropped on the premier AMA Supercross class main event, Dungey grabbed the Spike Holeshot Award, followed by Honda Red Bull Racing’s Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla., and Villopoto.

Dungey quickly asserted himself up front, opening up an early gap over Canard who began a heated battle with Villopoto. Eventually, the Kawasaki rider moved his way into second and set his sights on his rival. Villopoto closed in slightly, but on lap 10 suffered a frightening get off, allowing Dungey to dominate the rest of the way.

“It was definitely a good win,” said Dungey. “The start was key because it was a tough track to pass on. My tires hooked up great and I wouldn’t be here without my team. I won my first supercross race here so it feels good to come back and get my first big bike win (in Atlanta). We’re just trying to keep moving forward as a team and sometimes you have to go backward to go forward but things are working out so far.”

Canard captured his career-best premier class finish with a runner-up result in just his second race on the bigger bike while Davi Millsaps, of Murrieta, Calif., gave Honda Red Bull Racing a 2-3 result. Villopoto came home in 19th.

Dungey currently holds a 20-point lead over San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill, of Carlsbad, Calif., in the AMA Supercross standings while Villopoto falls to third, 23 points out of first. Pourcel leads Stroupe by six points in the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship.

AMA Supercross Class Results: Atlanta
1.Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
2.Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
3. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
4. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
6. Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
7. Michael Byrne, Noonan, Ga., Yamaha
8. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
9. Grant Langston, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
10. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1.Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 170
2.Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 150
3.Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 147
4.Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 134
5.Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 121
6. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 115
7. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 113
8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 85
9.Michael Byrne, Noonan, Ga., Yamaha, 71
10.Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 69

This Week in Monster Energy Supercross: Atlanta

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:13:00 +0100

The 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season is heating up heading into the eighth race of the season this weekend from Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. For the second week in a row, Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, who has led the AMA Supercross class since the second week of the season, has company atop the standings. Last weekend it was San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill. This weekend it’s Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, who won his third race over the last four weeks and holds the tie-breaker over Dungey by virtue of his three victories.

Villopoto is riding a big wave of momentum as the season reaches its midpoint, and he is happy with his position. He is undoubtedly the hottest rider in the championship and looks to maintain the control he’s established over the last month.

“All along I’ve had my eye on the championship,” said Villopoto. “I knew I needed to put myself in the right position to do that. Winning three of the last four races has been good, but I need to keep working hard and pushing so I can stay out front.”

Villopoto’s teammate Nick Wey has stayed consistent with the team as he rides while Chad Reed recovers from a broken hand. In his four races with Monster Energy Kawasaki, Wey has scored four top-10 finishes.

“These top 10s are good, but I know we can do better,” said Wey. “Every week we seem to find a little thing here and a little thing there that helps. Everybody on the team is great to work with and I’m getting good information to take with me when Chad comes back.”

Although he wasn’t able to reassert control at the top of the standings, Dungey had a great weekend in Indy. The two-time race winner rode strongly, closing in on Villopoto in the closing laps. After a three-week hiatus from the podium, he returned to protect the points lead with a solid runner-up finish.

“I’m really looking forward to Atlanta,” said Dungey. “I haven’t been there since 2007, and I’m really looking forward to going there and hopefully keep the momentum going.”

Team Manager Roger DeCoster is optimistic about what the team is capable of this weekend.

"I think we will build on our results going into Atlanta,” he said. “We have some momentum with Ryan and hope to move forward in Atlanta. We will be busy with testing leading up to Atlanta ... I feel pretty good about our chances there. "`
Last weekend, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham picked up his third podium finish of the season after staging an exciting duel for the lead early on in the race with Honda Red Bull Racing’s Davi Millsaps. Windham held onto the lead for nine laps before Villopoto and Dungey got by to finish in third place.

“Three podiums this season, two of them coming back-to-back; I’m really happy with this result,” said Windham. “My CRF450R keeps getting better every year and to be still scoring podium finishes at 32 years of age is a testament to the support I receive from everyone.”

Photo Credit: Hoppenworld.com

Monster Energy Supercross Points Lead Tied as Championship Heads South to Atlanta’s Georgia Dome

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:22:00 +0100

Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto sit atop the AMA Supercross class points lead, knotted at 145 points apiece as Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, heads south this weekend to Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. Christophe Pourcel leads the Eastern regional AMA Supercross Lites class points race after winning the opening race of the season last weekend at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium before 60,019 fans.

Heading into last weekend’s feature in Indianapolis, it was San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill that was tied with Dungey for the AMA Supercross class points lead. In a season that has seen four different winners in seven races, anticipation runs high for this weekend’s race at the Georgia Dome. Hill finished ninth and dropped back to third place in season standings.

In last weekend’s AMA Supercross class main event, Honda Red Bull Racing’s Davi Millsaps, of Murrieta, Calif., won the Spike Holeshot Award with GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham, of Centreville, Miss., and Villopoto following in second and third, respectively. As Millsaps and Windham battled for the lead, it was Windham’s resilience that prevailed as he moved into the number-one position. On lap 11, Villopoto moved past Windham for the lead and Dungey moved into second place on lap 12. The trio would finish in that order – Villopoto, Dungey and Windham.

“Going out of the last chance I had the outside gate,” said Villopoto, who failed to finish his heat race after a crash and had to qualify for the main event through the last chance qualifier. “I was second to last to line up (for the main event) and I really just can’t thank the guys at Monster Energy Kawasaki enough. It was the fastest bike out there and I was able to get a good holeshot.

“Starting on the outside there killed me,” he continued. “I was able to make something of it, which was awesome.”

In the opening race of the 2010 Eastern regional AMA Supercross Lites class race, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, Ga., won the Spike Holeshot Award with Pourcel and Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Austin Stroupe, of Lincolnton, N.C., in tow.

Pourcel didn’t waste any time in passing Barcia for the lead before he went on to lead all 15 laps of the main event. Stroupe finished second and Barcia, in the first professional AMA Supercross Lites class of his career, finished third.

“I just felt pretty good on my Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki,” said Pourcel. “Everything was ok today for me so I am just really happy to win the race tonight. The track was pretty tight tonight and I needed to win the race so coming into the main event I just gave my best (effort).”

Last year in Atlanta, San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart, of Dade City, Fla., earned his seventh win in a row and seventh victory of the season en route to stealing the points lead from Reed, of Tampa, Fla. In the AMA Supercross Lites class, Pourcel grabbed his second win in a row in the Eastern Regional Championship to extend his points lead.

“The start was great,” said Stewart after the race last year. “The San Manuel Yamaha pulled another holeshot. It was a good race for me. The track was tough but we came out on top. I’ve always liked the ‘ATL’ and I’m glad we could do well here. I want to thank all the fans and all the motivation they give me. It feels good to have the points lead but there is a long way to go.”

The first AMA Supercross race ever held in Atlanta was March 5, 1977, and Bob Hannah won on a Yamaha. On February 22, 1986 Honda rider Keith Turpin won the first-ever AMA Supercross Lites main event. Ricky Carmichael is first on the AMA Supercross class’ all-time win list with five. Carmichael and Brian Swink share the AMA Supercross Lites class’ all-time win record with two.

Photo Credit: Hoppenworld.com