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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125981
Chris Pusey's performance never lacked for effort. u.s. takes the series, two matches out of three By John Bethea IRWINDALE, CAL., MAR. 13 The "U.S. vs. the World series" was tied with a win apiece, but the Americans had the edge in points, 110-103. The European season begins in only a few days and the World tream hated to go home losers to an upstart American squad. Ne ither the Americans nor the visiting team got much practice on the 220-yard Irwindale oval. Whoever adjusted first to the freshly-laid track would win, and that 's what happened. The first match pitted brothers Steve and Mike Bast against World Champion Jeff Sexton !leftl and Briggo gamered 10 points apiece for their teams. It's still dry in this one. which Jeff won. • 14 Ivan Mauger and John Davis. The brothers had dominated the Costa Mesa round and kept it up here with a one-two sweep, Mike leading the way. Ivan, the only World rider given a chance to make two laps of practice before the night's events, was more than a full straight behind the leader, in third place at the finish. The Americans won all of the next eigh traces. Jeff Sexton led No .2, Rick Woods topped No.3 , Sexton repeated in No.4, Woods again in No .5, Mike John Louis dialed in to the rain and flew. Bast and brother Steve blitzed No.6. Woods gained his third win in No .7, Mike and Steve again swept No . 8 and Bill Cody teamed with Sexton for a one-two in No.9. At that point, halfwa y through the program. the American lead had built to 37-17. By then the rain was beginning to pour. " Kin d of like home." remarked British racer John Louis, who had been only able to gather two points in the first half. But he is in his element now. And the Europeans had the secret to the wet traction. The World had to fight to regain lost prestige. Mauger broke the Bast spell in Race No. 10 taking the first World win with teammate John Davis in third. Mike Bast got America's two points for second. Barry Briggs swiped Race No . 1 I but Cody and Sexton followed him across to tie that round. John Louis then racked up three points for the World in No. 12, but again the American team of Woods and Sonny Nutter managed to even that out with a second and third. Cody and Sexton then did the same thing to Ivan Mauger's victory in No. 13. By this time the track was unrideable, World Champion Ole Olsen had crashed in the muck and track officials huddled to decide whether or not to stop the races as No. 14 lined up. This was to be the last race. Almost immediately Woods crashed and teammate Nutter was out of co n tent ion . Briggs and Chris Pusey registered the World's first - and last - sweep , m aking the score 49-35, our favor . Only four races were left on the