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AMA Supercross Motocross
BATES: Trading Humidity For Altitude
Erin Bates checks in following the AMA Motocross round at Budds Creek and looks ahead to a mountainous challenge this weekend.
Erin Bates  |  Posted June 23, 2010   Mechanicsville, MD
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Dean Wilson (Photo: Kawasaki Racing)

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Same-day coverage of the AMA Motocross 450 Class race from Lakewood, Colorado will air on SPEED on Saturday, June 26 at 11:00pm EST. Coverage of the 250 Class will air on Sunday, June 26 at 12:00pm EST.

Budds Creek 2009 was nothing but torrential downpours and we returned this season expecting the unexpected. But there's one thing you can always count on -- the heat is going to be unbearable at Budds Creek and this year was no different.

The humidity was off the charts and the highs were somewhere in the high 90s making an already difficult job that much more challenging for the riders. Typically I sweat pretty good at an outdoor National but this year took it to a whole new level!

Still, we had a phenomenal day of racing.

With the 250 Class, you just never know -- it's so stacked with talent. Congratulations to Dean Wilson on taking not only his first moto victory, but his first overall victory as well. That was sweet redemption for him considering what took place in Texas when he basically gave away a win due to a simple mental mistake. He's got to be feeling good about himself right now.

As far as the 450 Class goes, what can you say about Ryan Dungey? He's just on a roll. Three wins in his last three rounds? Unbelievable. Pretty much like there have been throughout his career, there were skeptics following his rough outing in the season opener at Hangtown, but I'm pretty sure he's put all that talk to rest! He's doing a spectacular job, especially when you remember that he's still just a rookie.

I know Ricky Carmichael has got his back, so maybe that's the guy who's giving him a little advice that's helping to put him over the top, but it's also got a lot to do with all that hard work, dedication, and heart he pours into his craft.

Even though that we've left the humidity of Budds Creek behind, it doesn't necessarily get any easier. Now we're heading to Colorado for some dry heat and altitude -- it'll be a whole different beast for the riders to contend with.

Now with new fuel injected bikes it's not as big of an issue as it once was, but you still never know quite what to expect when you're racing on a track carved out on the side of a mountain. That one is always fun.

It should be another great day in paradise!

Win a Trip to the US Indy MotoGP Race
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
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