-
Home
-
Latest Headlines
-
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
-
Latest Headlines: Moto-Racing
-
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Supercross & Motocross
AMA MX: Lakewood Team-By-Team Previews
James Stewart carries his win streak into this weekend's Thunder Valley National at Lakewood, CO.
Yoshimura Suzuki's James Stewart (Photo: Suzuki Racing)
After two rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the title contenders in the 450 and 250 Classes are beginning to emerge. This weekend, the series makes its annual visit to the Rocky Mountain State of Colorado for the Toyota Thunder Valley National.
Thunder Valley MX Park presents one of the most unique challenges on the schedule thanks to its mile-high elevation, which could very well pay into the outcome of tomorrow afternoon’s action.
450 Class
Team Yoshimura Suzuki
Through two rounds, James Stewart remains undefeated aboard his new Suzuki. The former champion once again swept the day’s motos in Texas, this time fending off fierce competition from Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey. Stewart holds a 14-point lead in the standings coming into Thunder Valley, where he was victorious during his championship run in the 2008 season.
“It was a good race (in Texas),” said Stewart. “It was warm, but I was able to get two good starts and I actually led every lap. The Yoshimura Suzuki team is just gelling. Now, we’re going to Colorado, and Lakewood is not one of my better tracks. Also, it’s at high altitude so it will be another tough race, but the team has a really good set-up for me with the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, and we’ll do our best to put it on the podium.”
Brett Metcalfe’s season has gotten off to a slower start than he hoped, but the Australian rider continues to put in the work to make necessary improvements. Last weekend, a poor finish in the opening moto hurt his chances at a strong overall, but he still managed to fight his way to 13-10 moto scores and finish eighth overall. He enters Colorado seventh in the standings.
“I felt like I rode really well in Texas,” said Metcalfe. “It was just a tough track to come from behind on. In the first moto, I got a good start, but then I spun it out and had to come from behind to 13th. In the second moto, I got a really good start but went way too wide in the first corner and dropped back a little. I tried to force something on a tough braking section and got sideways and went down, so it was a tough break. Now, I’m looking forward to Colorado and getting up front and staying up there.”
Red Bull KTM
Dungey gave Stewart all he could handle one week ago. The former champion pressured his rival throughout each moto, but was unable to find a way past Stewart, despite posting faster lap times on several occasions. He accepted the hard-fought runner-up effort and will look towards tomorrow afternoon, entering Colorado as the defending race winner.
MotoConcepts Suzuki
For the second consecutive weekend, Mike Alessi landed on the overall podium behind Stewart and Dungey. The veteran rider has shown impressive speed and even more impressive starts this season, which has allowed him to position himself at the front of the field in the early portion of the season.
Monster Energy Kawasaki
Jake Weimer came on strong in Texas and appeared to be in position to finish on the overall podium. Following a strong third-place effort in the opening moto, Weimer found himself in a first-turn pileup in Moto 2, hindering his chances at backing up his initial effort. Despite having to come from the back of the field, Weimer worked his way from 28th to 6th in the final moto, finishing fourth overall and missing out on the podium by a single point. He comes into Thunder Valley sitting fourth in the championship. The venue was the sight of Weimer’s first-career win in Lucas Oil Motocross back in 2009, so he’s hoping for good results.
“I got my first ever win at Thunder Valley,” said Weimer. “It’s a fun track and I’ve done well there, so we’ll give it our best shot to be up on the podium again.”
Team Chaparral Honda
Andrew Short has helped the L&Mc Racing team start the Nationals well, setting a solid foundation for the summer. A current Texas resident, Short was arguably more familiar to the conditions last weekend than anyone, and it helped him finish sixth overall (10-5) despite getting a tough start in the opening moto. This weekend, Short returns to his home state of Colorado, where he always seems to step up in front of the hometown crowd. Last year he finished fifth at Thunder Valley.
Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki
In Texas, Josh Grant showed the speed and tenacity that earned him an overall victory back during the 2009 season. Following nagging injuries that have forced him in-and-out of competition for the past couple years, Grant appears to be back in full health and is proving it out on the track. In Texas, he relied on 6-4 moto results to grab fifth overall and now heads to Colorado, where he won a moto back in 2010.
Grant’s JWR teammate Kyle Chisholm had an up-and-down day in Texas, posting 30-12 moto scores to finish outside the top 10 in 19th. He’ll look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon.
Thunder Valley MX Park presents one of the most unique challenges on the schedule thanks to its mile-high elevation, which could very well pay into the outcome of tomorrow afternoon’s action.
450 Class
Team Yoshimura Suzuki
Through two rounds, James Stewart remains undefeated aboard his new Suzuki. The former champion once again swept the day’s motos in Texas, this time fending off fierce competition from Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey. Stewart holds a 14-point lead in the standings coming into Thunder Valley, where he was victorious during his championship run in the 2008 season.
“It was a good race (in Texas),” said Stewart. “It was warm, but I was able to get two good starts and I actually led every lap. The Yoshimura Suzuki team is just gelling. Now, we’re going to Colorado, and Lakewood is not one of my better tracks. Also, it’s at high altitude so it will be another tough race, but the team has a really good set-up for me with the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, and we’ll do our best to put it on the podium.”
Brett Metcalfe’s season has gotten off to a slower start than he hoped, but the Australian rider continues to put in the work to make necessary improvements. Last weekend, a poor finish in the opening moto hurt his chances at a strong overall, but he still managed to fight his way to 13-10 moto scores and finish eighth overall. He enters Colorado seventh in the standings.
“I felt like I rode really well in Texas,” said Metcalfe. “It was just a tough track to come from behind on. In the first moto, I got a good start, but then I spun it out and had to come from behind to 13th. In the second moto, I got a really good start but went way too wide in the first corner and dropped back a little. I tried to force something on a tough braking section and got sideways and went down, so it was a tough break. Now, I’m looking forward to Colorado and getting up front and staying up there.”
Red Bull KTM
Dungey gave Stewart all he could handle one week ago. The former champion pressured his rival throughout each moto, but was unable to find a way past Stewart, despite posting faster lap times on several occasions. He accepted the hard-fought runner-up effort and will look towards tomorrow afternoon, entering Colorado as the defending race winner.
MotoConcepts Suzuki
For the second consecutive weekend, Mike Alessi landed on the overall podium behind Stewart and Dungey. The veteran rider has shown impressive speed and even more impressive starts this season, which has allowed him to position himself at the front of the field in the early portion of the season.
Monster Energy Kawasaki
Jake Weimer came on strong in Texas and appeared to be in position to finish on the overall podium. Following a strong third-place effort in the opening moto, Weimer found himself in a first-turn pileup in Moto 2, hindering his chances at backing up his initial effort. Despite having to come from the back of the field, Weimer worked his way from 28th to 6th in the final moto, finishing fourth overall and missing out on the podium by a single point. He comes into Thunder Valley sitting fourth in the championship. The venue was the sight of Weimer’s first-career win in Lucas Oil Motocross back in 2009, so he’s hoping for good results.
“I got my first ever win at Thunder Valley,” said Weimer. “It’s a fun track and I’ve done well there, so we’ll give it our best shot to be up on the podium again.”
Team Chaparral Honda
Andrew Short has helped the L&Mc Racing team start the Nationals well, setting a solid foundation for the summer. A current Texas resident, Short was arguably more familiar to the conditions last weekend than anyone, and it helped him finish sixth overall (10-5) despite getting a tough start in the opening moto. This weekend, Short returns to his home state of Colorado, where he always seems to step up in front of the hometown crowd. Last year he finished fifth at Thunder Valley.
Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki
In Texas, Josh Grant showed the speed and tenacity that earned him an overall victory back during the 2009 season. Following nagging injuries that have forced him in-and-out of competition for the past couple years, Grant appears to be back in full health and is proving it out on the track. In Texas, he relied on 6-4 moto results to grab fifth overall and now heads to Colorado, where he won a moto back in 2010.
Grant’s JWR teammate Kyle Chisholm had an up-and-down day in Texas, posting 30-12 moto scores to finish outside the top 10 in 19th. He’ll look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon.
SX Seattle
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
AMA SBK: '13 Schedule Finalized
The late-season 'TBA' has officially been scrubbed from the 2013… -
AMA SBK: AMA Pro Invests In Airfence
AMA Pro Racing officials announced today that the company will be… -
PHOTOS: WSBK - Donington Park QP
Local favorite Tom Sykes was quickest in mixed conditions on the… -
WSBK: Donington Park QP Ticker
Notes and quotes following a wet opening day at Donington Park. -
AMA MX: FIM Contenders Set For Wild Card Appearance
FIM World Championship contenders Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos… -
WSBK: Sykes On Provisional Pole At Home
World Superbike's resident qualifying ace, Tom Sykes, posted the… -
AMA MX: Thunder Valley Stats
Facts and figures heading into this weekend's second round of the… - More News
