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SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
SPEEDtv.com
07/18/2008 - 10:49 PM
Monterey, CA
Leandro Mercado (Photo: Brian J Nelson) ยป More Photos
The opening day of qualifying for the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup saw an array of riders take their turn at the top, but Leandro Mercado emerged as the fastest on Friday in the first of two qualifying sessions at the Red Bull United States Grand Prix in sunny Monterey, Calif. The rider from Argentina set the provisional pole position on his last lap of the session to better Benny Solis of North Hollywood, Calif., Tomas Puerta of Colombia, and Hayden Gillim from Owensboro, Ky.
Mercado, the winner of the Elkhart Lake race, set a best time of 1:36.189. "It was a good session," said the 16-year-old. "My bike worked well and the condition of the track was fast. I set my best time on the final lap. I think it's important to be on pole position here because of the advantage it gives you on the start. Tomorrow, we'll have a great race. My goal is the championship, but I would like to win my second race in a row!"
Tomas Puerta led the session and eventually finished second when Mercado went quicker. The 15-year-old Puerta showed a strong pace throughout the session. Afterward, he said, "I am very happy. In the qualifying I was fast and I had the best time near the end, but all of the top riders were going quickly and the order kept changing.
Benny Solis was third quickest. The two-time race winner challenged for the top spot before falling just short of provisional pole. "I was pretty pleased with the session but I see room for improvement," said the 13-year-old. "I need to work on a couple of turns, plus I need to work on tucking in at some spots. My mechanic told me I looked like a chicken out there. My plan is to do the same as Barber -- try to move toward the front quickly and then ride the best I can."
Hayden Gillim was also quick in the session and also proved himself a contender for the two Rookies Cup races this weekend. Gillim posted similar times with the leaders until he dropped back late in the 30-minute qualifying period. Gillim was fourth quickest with a best time of 1:37.063 to earn a spot on the provisional front row.
Austin DeHaven of Los Angeles, Calif., Austin Medrano of Mustang, Okla., Bryce Prince of Bakersfield, Calif., and Travis Wyman of Macedon, N.Y., qualified on the provisional second row.
The second qualifying session of the weekend is scheduled for 11:45 AM local time on Saturday, with the first race set for 3:45 PM.
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