Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125643
e g Uncontested ~ story and PhotDs By Terry Pratt ~ Z lo:I ..::I U SALEM, ORE., Nov. 9, 1969 - Sweden's G 8eJIgt Aberg rode to a practically uncontested victory by wtnn1ng all three legs of the rough and muddy Salem InterAm motocross. Aberg snatched the lead In the first few hundred yards of each moto and De9llr re1lnqu1sbed It. His Husqvarna was never pressured and he seemed to be in complete control of the race at aU times. MIsfortunes plagued some of the others but even when they were at their best they were clearly out classed by the winning Swede. Aberg was obviously the smoothest, b1gbest flying and, in short fastest rider of the day. The honor of being highest placing American went to Bob Leach, a Salem resident, who rode a Husky to eighth overall ahead of Russ Darnell, Tim Hart and Gary Balley. They were the next three finishers overall. Scotsman Vic Allen worked his Greeves Griffon up to a second place after taking a sixth in the first moto. The course became less muddy in the later motos and that was Dne for Vic since he says, "I'm hoPeless In the A happy Benet Abere relaxes In back of his van. Abere outclassed everyone at Salem and ran away from the flela. r Local rider Bob Leach skies over the finish line jump In front of Ake Jonsson on the lone Malco at Salem. Leach used his experience on his home town course and was first American finisher, elehth avera II. Ake looked eoad but dropped back to fourth. I. mud." Aberg'S only competition In the first mota came from Rage o,coster on a C Z. DeCoster's fantastic style carried bim to tbe IaBtuseablelnchoftbebermed up turns and over the jumps with the bike leaned way over for the next corner. On tbe tblrd lap an imprudent spectator didn't allow for Roger's b1gband wide line and DeCoster smashed his arm Into a camera that was held too far over the bay bales. Roger fIn1sbed tile 30 minute race a strong second beb1JId Aberg with one crimson sleeve on hisye1lowjersey. A trip for stitches put him out for the day but he came back In say that be will ride at the Seattle Inter-Am this weekeod. A dejected Ake Jlinsson reflects on his "Ico's misfortunes. Ake Jonsson, the only Malco rider, made a vallant effort but plug wire problems caused him to lose bard earned positions. Ake finished fourth behind Torsten Hallman. Dave Bicker's CZ was without rear brakes for most of the second moto and the point loss put him in fifth overall after the tally. The Americans seemed to run In a clump for most of the day. Bill Sllverthorn jumped out to an American'S win In the flrst moto followed by Bob Leach. Both rode Huskies. A crash In the mud hole caused Sllverthorn to smack bis chin on the handlebar cross piece and that rather .. detuned" bim for the rest d. the day. Leach was the first Yank In the second leg followed by Gary Bailey. Balley was riding sixtb overall and leading the American division In the final moto when Ills Gritton ground to anexpensive soundIng halt. Leach went on to win followed by Russ Darnell. Russ was second In the final American standings and ninth overall. (Results on page 17) The openlne laps see Vic (10) Allan, eventual second placer, pUll away from CaliforniallS Bill (21) Silverthorn and Tim (33) Hart. Wlnnioe A_lean Bob Leach. He was first In two motos and second in another.