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Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Round 3: Flagstar Bank Motocross National

Freestone Raceway, Wortham, Texas, June 6

  • Freestone is the newest track on the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship schedule entering just its third year of hosting a national (2007).
  • The Flagstar Bank Motocross National is the series' only visit to the Southeastern portion of the country.

Series Statistical Report

  • Prior to winning his first career 450 Class race last weekend, Mike Alessi had collected 12 podium finishes in the premier division.
  • Despite being one of the most consistent riders since turning pro in 2005 with 25 total podiums, Alessi only has four career Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship wins (450 and 250 classes): High Point 2005, Broome-Tioga 2005, Hangtown 2006 and 2009.
  • Christophe Pourcel became just the fourth foreign rider to win a 250 Class race. He is the third from France (Stephane Roncada and Jean-Michele Bayle), with Grant Langston being the other (South Africa).
  • GEICO Powersports Honda has had all four of its riders in the top 10 in three of the first four motos and had Justin Barcia not crashed while running second in Hangtown's second moto, they would likely be 4-for-4.
  • JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha has had one of its two riders in the top five for every moto this year. Last season, the team did not earn a single top-five finish.


450 Class Stats

  • The first Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross race at Freestone Raceway was held on September 2, 2007. Grant Langston won on a Yamaha en route to the series championship.
  • Freestone wins by brand:
    Kawasaki: 1
    Yamaha: 1
  • Last win at Freestone by brand:
    Kawasaki: 2008
    Yamaha: 2007
  • There has never been a first time winner at Freestone. For 2009, Mike Alessi is the only entered rider with a career 450 Class victory.
  • Two different manufacturers and two different riders have won in each race at Freestone. A third rider will be added to the list this season.
  • Since joining the schedule in 2007, the rider who has won at Freestone Raceway has gone on to win the championship.

450 Class Point Standings - After 2 of 12 rounds

  1. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 92
  2. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 74
  3. Chad Reed, Australia, Suzuki, 73
  4. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 55
  5. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki, 52
  6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda, 51
  7. Dan Reardon, Australia, Honda, 41
  8. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki, 41
  9. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 40
  10. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Yamaha, 37

450 Class Overall Wins
Mike Alessi - 1
Ryan Villopoto - 1

450 Class Moto Wins
Mike Alessi - 2
Ryan Villopoto - 2

450 Class Wins by Brand
Kawasaki - 1
Suzuki - 1

250 Class Stats

  • The first 250 Class race at Freestone Raceway was September 2, 2007. Ryan Villopoto won on a Kawasaki.
  • Villopoto and Kawasaki are the only winners in the 250 Class at Freestone. A new name will be added to the winner's list in 2009.
  • Freestone wins by brand:
    Kawasaki: 2
  • Last win by brand at Freestone:
    Kawasaki: 2008
  • There has never been a first time winner at Freestone. For 2009, Ryan Dungey, Christophe Pourcel, and Austin Stroupe are the only riders with a 250 Class overall victory.
  • Since joining the schedule in 2007, the rider who has won the 250 Class race at Freestone Raceway has gone on to win the championship.
  • Four factory-supported riders are Texas natives:
    Kyle Cunningham - Canidae/Motosport Kawasaki - Fort Worth
    Wil Hahn - Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM - Decatur
    Matt Lemoine - Division 7/Star Yamaha - Collinsville
    Blake Wharton - GEICO Powersports Honda - Pilot Point

250 Class Point Standings - After 2 of 12 rounds

  1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 86
  2. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 84
  3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 75
  4. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 70
  5. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 63
  6. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 54
  7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 53
  8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 52
  9. Tommy Searle, England, KTM, 48
  10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 47

250 Class Overall Wins
Ryan Dungey - 1
Christophe Pourcel - 1

250 Class Moto Wins
Ryan Dungey - 2
Christophe Pourcel - 2

250 Class Wins by Brand
Kawasaki - 1
Suzuki - 1

Mike Alessi Races to First Career 450 Class Victory at Hangtown
Christophe Pourcel Closes in on Dungey with 250 Overall Win

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 30, 2009) - Under beautiful skies and a packed Prairie City SVRA, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., captured his first career victory in the premier 450 Class at 41st Annual Hangtown Motocross ClassicTM, round two of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Christophe Pourcel, of France, grabbed his first American Motocross victory with a win in the 250 Class.

Alessi has been a perennial front-runner since joining the 450 class in 2007. On Saturday, he was able to set the tone with an impressive win in the first moto despite an early fall. In moto two, he chased longtime rival Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., throughout the moto. The two engaged in a bar-to-bar battle, exchanging the lead on several occasions before Alessi settled into the runner-up position to secure the overall victory. However, the AMA penalized Grant one position for not adhering to a hazard flag during the latter stages of the moto, giving Alessi a 1-1 moto finish.

"I'm not even really tired," boasted Alessi. "I didn't even break a sweat in both motos. It was good to come in this weekend, get the holeshot and grab a victory. I knew I had the overall and (Josh) was being aggressive so I felt it wasn't worth it to possibly lose more points than I could gain. This has been a long time coming."

Honda Red Bull Racing's Ivan Tedesco, of Tallahassee, Fla., secured second place overall while Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Chad Reed, of Australia, assumed third overall. With the penalty, Grant dropped from third to fifth overall.

Pourcel stayed steady throughout the day, biding his time and chasing down GEICO Powersports Honda's Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, Ga., to win the first moto. In moto two, Pourcel settled into second behind Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., to ensure himself of the overall victory.

"(Today) was much better than Glen Helen for sure," explained Pourcel. "The track got some good lanes and was a lot of fun to ride. I'm happy to have the chance to race on it. Barcia was awesome at the beginning of the moto and it surprised me so I just let him go and waited for him to get tired. I think it was the right thing to do. I didn't want to make a mistake and risk losing this championship so early in the season."

GEICO Powersports Honda's Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla., captured his best career finish with a runner-up finish while Dungey took home third.

A total of seven riders were penalized one position in the second moto for not adhering to a hazard flag, including Pourcel, who as a result went from a tie atop the standings with Dungey to a two-point deficit.

In the WMX Class, Honda Red Bull Racing's Ashley Fiolek, of St. Augustine, Fla., captured her second overall victory of 2009 with a 1-2 moto finish. Her closest competitor Jessica Patterson, of Tallahassee, Fla., made a statement in moto two when she passed Fiolek early and took a convincing victory, placing her second overall (3-1). Vicki Golden, of El Cajon, Calif., finished third (2-3) for her first career podium.

"I got a good start (in moto two) and J.P. was sticking with me," said Fiolek. "She also got a good start and got by me so I settled into second because I knew I had the overall. The track was definitely rough today, but not as rough as Glen Helen. They smoothed out some portions of the track today."

Round three of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship takes place next Saturday, June 6 from Wortham, Texas for the Flagstar Bank Motocross National. Coverage of next weekend's race can be seen live on SPEED, Saturday, June 6 at 9 p.m. ET.

Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
41st Annual Hangtown Motocross ClassicTM
Prairie City SVRA - Sacramento, Calif.
May 30, 2009
Round 2 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (1-1)
  2. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda (2-4)
  3. Chad Reed, Australia, Suzuki (6-3)
  4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda (3-6)
  5. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha (9-2)
  6. Daniel Reardon, Australia, Honda (7-5)
  7. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki (5-9)
  8. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (8-10)
  9. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki (11-8)
  10. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Yamaha (4-23)

450 Class Championship Standings

  1. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 92
  2. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 74
  3. Chad Reed, Australia, Suzuki, 73
  4. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 55
  5. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki, 52
  6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda, 51
  7. Dan Reardon, Australia, Honda, 41
  8. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki, 41
  9. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 40
  10. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Yamaha, 37

250 Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki (1-3)
  2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda (3-2)
  3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (7-1)
  4. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda (5-4)
  5. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki (4-7)
  6. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha (6-6)
  7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda (9-5)
  8. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (8-8)
  9. P.J. Larsen, Stanley, N.C., Kawasaki (10-10)
  10. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda (2-29)

250 Class Championship Standings

  1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 86
  2. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 84
  3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 75
  4. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 70
  5. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 63
  6. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 54
  7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 53
  8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 52
  9. Tommy Searle, England, KTM, 48
  10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 47

WMX Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (1-2)
  2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda (3-1)
  3. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Honda (2-3)
  4. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki (4-4)
  5. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki (8-5)
  6. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (9-7)
  7. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Suzuki (7-9)
  8. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., Honda (6-10)
  9. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Honda (5-11)
  10. Penni Cyrus, Queens Creek, Ariz., Kawasaki (12-6)

WMX Class Standings

  1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 97
  2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 87
  3. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Honda, 78
  4. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki, 72
  5. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki, 63
  6. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 56
  7. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Suzuki, 54
  8. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Honda, 48
  9. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Japan, Suzuki, 47
  10. Penni Cyrus, Queens Creek, Ariz., Kawasaki, 46

   

Wide Open 450 Class Kicks-Off This Weekend For The
2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship

 

MORGANTOWN, W.V. (May 20, 2009) - The 2009 season has been one of change across the motocross landscape as new faces have moved to new places and the sport of motocross enters into a period of growth fueled by new ownership. After one of the greatest AMA Supercross Championship battles in the history of the sport, dirt-bike racing in America is carrying considerable momentum heading into the prestigious Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Undergoing its own fair bit of change, motocross in the U.S. is now managed by MX Sports Pro Racing and their partners in The Alliance of Action Sports. With new leadership at the helm, revolutionary initiatives are already transforming the sport, while providing more access and coverage than ever before.

The most significant change from the traditional format of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship is the move to Saturday racing. While Sundays have served as race day for many years, the new opportunities available for the sport make the move to Saturdays immediately beneficial for the future. Add an unprecedented television package with six races on live television, split between NBC and SPEED, the addition of a world class title sponsor in Lucas Oil, fresh talent coming in to challenge America's best motocross riders, and some of the most legendary motocross tracks the world has to offer, and the ever-growing list of exciting changes make a recipe for success for motocross.

And to only add to the anticipation, both of the newly-named 450 and 250 classes will boast new faces holding the trophies at the end of the season.

In the premier 450 class, just as in the 250 class, the lack of a returning champion has left a huge opportunity available for a bevy of the world's fastest riders. Waiting to take their shot at the coveted title is Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi, Honda Red Bull Racing's Andrew Short, Davi Millsaps and Ivan Tedesco, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Timmy Ferry, and powerful rookie contenders Josh Grant (JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha) and Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki).

Also making his dramatic return to American motocross is two-time AMA Supercross Champion Chad Reed. The Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider and Australian native adds to the international flair of the series, as he will make his first attempt at claiming an AMA Motocross title since the 2006 season. With a runner-up finish in the aforementioned Monster Energy AMA Supercross title fight earlier this season, the never-surrender Reed is ready to make his presence felt and go after this title.

Reed won't have to look far for challengers. His teammate Mike Alessi has been dubbed the "Holeshot King," regularly besting his opponents as the bikes blast out of the staring gates. After having his last AMA Motocross campaign cut short in a terrifying crash in front of the pack at Red Bud, Mike Alessi is primed and ready for a full run at the 2009 title.

Andrew Short is arguably the most underrated rider in the world. While he is still in search of his first victory in the premier class, the Honda rider has claimed more combined supercross and motocross points than any other competitor for the past two seasons, building the distinction of an ironman. A perennial podium finisher, 2009 will be his best chance for that breakout season. Same goes for his Honda teammates Davi Millsaps and Ivan Tedesco, both of whom ended their stadium-racing seasons in fine form and hope to be in the mix for the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Tim Ferry is a true veteran of motocross and, much like fine wine, only gets better with age. At 33 years old, he is the elder statesmen of the pro paddock, but he is one of the most tenacious and durable riders the sport has ever seen. His tendency to finish strong at the tail end of 30-minutes-plus motos works in his favor and could produce some hard-fought wins in 2009.

While each is a virtual unknown on a 450cc motocross bike, Villopoto and Grant are no strangers to success. Each competitor has earned their spot atop the podium on more than one occasion, and are considered two of the most talented athletes of their generation. Villopoto has cruised to the last three 250 Class Championships and has never failed to win an outdoor title during his career, but he is now making the transition to the much more powerful and heavier 450 machines.

Grant has raced in the shadow of his long-time rival throughout the duo's days in the 250 class but has shown no fear in banging bars and mixing it up out on the track. Moreover, both have already captured main event wins in AMA Supercross as 450 Class rookies, drawing even further comparison. It will be fun for all to watch these two rising superstars battle it out bar-to-bar.

Looming behind these talented men is a list of several riders capable of winning on any given Saturday. Spending the 2008 season as a privateer, Cody Cooper turned heads on several occasions with outstanding performances. His breakthrough performance came at the Unadilla national where the New Zealand native stalked eventual champion James Stewart in treacherous, muddy conditions, nearly bringing an end to his perfect season. Thanks to such a tremendous season, Cooper was graced with a ride at JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha alongside Grant. A first-class operation could be all Cooper needs to take the next step.

While he has battled injuries throughout his career, Factory Yamaha's Broc Hepler is one of the fastest riders in the world when he is healthy. Despite missing nearly every round of the season in 2008, Hepler ended the season on a high note with a strong podium finish in the season finale at Steel City, his hometown race. Hepler will be joined on factory-blue Yamahas by Josh Hill, as well as independent Yamaha rider Jason Lawrence, who is backed by Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster/Troy Racing. All three of these riders can win on any given Saturday.

It's been since before the reign of the great Ricky Carmichael, 10-time series champion, that the AMA Pro Motocross Championship has been so wide open. No single rider stands out head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field. Not only will there be a new champion, but there will also be a chance at a multitude of first-time winners. Parity is what makes racing exciting and the 450 Class has just that in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship


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