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Supercross & Motocross
AMA MX: Lake Elsinore Notebook
The 2012 AMA Motocross Championship wraps up this weekend at the brand-new Lake Elsinore venue.
MotoConcepts Suzuki's Mike Alessi (Photo: Simon Cudby)
The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, hosted members of the media on Thursday afternoon for a press conference to kick off festivities for the inaugural Red Bull Lake Elsinore National. The top three riders from each of the three respective divisions of competition - the 450 Class, 250 Class, and WMX Class - were on hand to talk about the new venue and give their thoughts on the Saturday's season finale.
Following the press conference, the riders and their respective teams took to the brand-new Lake Elsinore track for the first time, getting familiar with the layout and setting the foundation for what is sure to be an exciting day of action to wrap up the 2012 season.
"Having a National in Southern California is essential to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship," said Event Director Tim Cotter. "The group behind this facility has pulled out all the stops in preparing Lake Elsinore for this big weekend and I am confident that everyone will be impressed with what they've been able to accomplish here. Lake Elsinore has everything the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is looking for in a Southern California home, and we look forward to coming back here for many years to come."
450 Class
Red Bull KTM
Although he already wrapped up the championship at the Red Bull Unadilla National just a few weeks ago, Ryan Dungey hasn't let up on his competitors. Last weekend at the FMF Steel City National, Dungey captured his ninth consecutive victory with his seventh moto sweep of the season and now heads to Lake Elsinore with his sights on a 10th straight win. A victory on Saturday would match Dungey's win total from his championship-winning 2010 rookie campaign capping off a memorable debut season with KTM.
"It's an amazing feeling (to have the championship wrapped up)," said Dungey. "Especially knowing how hard we all worked for this moment. Starting out with just the 450, a brand new bike, we were able to really dissect it and get things (working) really well and now it feels great to be sitting here at Lake Elsinore in the position we're in. We've got a whole season worth of notes on the bike, so we have a direction for which way we want to go with things."
MotoConcepts Suzuki
With another strong runner-up effort at Steel City (3-2), Mike Alessi secured second place in the championship. The veteran rider has helped vault MotoConcepts into the upper echelon of the field and establish the team as a formidable championship contender. He is one of just three riders to beat Dungey in a moto this season and his success has him looking forward to a Southern California homecoming, and potentially become the first Lake Elsinore winner.
"My confidence has been getting better and better," exclaimed Alessi. "It's really refreshing to have a good season and not get injured and just progressing to be better and stronger and faster and fitter every single race. I'm happy and (I'm) having fun here at MotoConcepts and having fun racing again. Monday morning we're going to be right back at it testing and getting that motorcycle the best we can for 2013. We're going to work our tails off this offseason to make the bike better and faster. You can never stop working on improving the bike."
Team Chaparral Honda
Andrew Short will have to fend off the challenges of Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jake Weimer and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Broc Tickle on Saturday, as both riders sit within striking distance of the Honda rider. Short's ninth-place finish at Steel City (2-32) closed the margin between the trio coming into Lake Elsinore, but he hopes his experience works to his advantage on Saturday.
Following the press conference, the riders and their respective teams took to the brand-new Lake Elsinore track for the first time, getting familiar with the layout and setting the foundation for what is sure to be an exciting day of action to wrap up the 2012 season.
"Having a National in Southern California is essential to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship," said Event Director Tim Cotter. "The group behind this facility has pulled out all the stops in preparing Lake Elsinore for this big weekend and I am confident that everyone will be impressed with what they've been able to accomplish here. Lake Elsinore has everything the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is looking for in a Southern California home, and we look forward to coming back here for many years to come."
450 Class
Red Bull KTM
Although he already wrapped up the championship at the Red Bull Unadilla National just a few weeks ago, Ryan Dungey hasn't let up on his competitors. Last weekend at the FMF Steel City National, Dungey captured his ninth consecutive victory with his seventh moto sweep of the season and now heads to Lake Elsinore with his sights on a 10th straight win. A victory on Saturday would match Dungey's win total from his championship-winning 2010 rookie campaign capping off a memorable debut season with KTM.
"It's an amazing feeling (to have the championship wrapped up)," said Dungey. "Especially knowing how hard we all worked for this moment. Starting out with just the 450, a brand new bike, we were able to really dissect it and get things (working) really well and now it feels great to be sitting here at Lake Elsinore in the position we're in. We've got a whole season worth of notes on the bike, so we have a direction for which way we want to go with things."
MotoConcepts Suzuki
With another strong runner-up effort at Steel City (3-2), Mike Alessi secured second place in the championship. The veteran rider has helped vault MotoConcepts into the upper echelon of the field and establish the team as a formidable championship contender. He is one of just three riders to beat Dungey in a moto this season and his success has him looking forward to a Southern California homecoming, and potentially become the first Lake Elsinore winner.
"My confidence has been getting better and better," exclaimed Alessi. "It's really refreshing to have a good season and not get injured and just progressing to be better and stronger and faster and fitter every single race. I'm happy and (I'm) having fun here at MotoConcepts and having fun racing again. Monday morning we're going to be right back at it testing and getting that motorcycle the best we can for 2013. We're going to work our tails off this offseason to make the bike better and faster. You can never stop working on improving the bike."
Team Chaparral Honda
Andrew Short will have to fend off the challenges of Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jake Weimer and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Broc Tickle on Saturday, as both riders sit within striking distance of the Honda rider. Short's ninth-place finish at Steel City (2-32) closed the margin between the trio coming into Lake Elsinore, but he hopes his experience works to his advantage on Saturday.
SX Seattle
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