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/127668
: OO R S 'M T C O S' :- ': -:'-:: Round 3:Budds Creek Motocross·Park AMA 125f25OccN ational C hampiOnship M 'otociosS Series' SOD, LaRoccolay 'em low By Chr is J on num Pho tos by Davey Coombs B UDDS CREEK, MD, MAY 22 o most, the Budds Creek mot ocross might ha ve seemed like just anothe r stop on the AMA Na tional circuit, but to Te am Honda/ 1- 800-COLLECT's Steve La mso n and Team Kawasaki's Mike LaRocco, it served as an ins urance policy. Both riders cam e into the hot, dry and dusty competition with leads in their respective divisions Lamson's in the 125cc class, and LaRocco's in the 2S0cc cat egory - and both turned in st rong, calcul a ted p erfor mances to ea r n ove ra ll wins and increase those points lead s. laRocco, in particular, gained breathing room, ga rn eri ng rare - fo r him quick sta rts and easily ou tpacing the rest of the field as he rode to convincing wins in both motos. Last yea r's SODec National Champion showed that he is head and shoulders above the rest of the riders on the circuit wh en he can get a good gate; if he can do so consistently, the competition stands little chance. He now heads teammate Mike Kiedrowski third at "The Creek" - by 17 points. "I do a little better on the starts outdoors," said laRocco, who also won the series opener. "The dirt's looser and it's easier to hook up . 1 was still a little surprised, tho ugh. It feels good to get ano the r one (win). 1 needed it. 1 rode good today." The National also seemed to valida te Team Honda' s decision to have team rid ers Lamson a nd Jeremy McGrath sw ap classes th is yea r (McGra th was moved up to the quarter-liter div ision, while Lamson was p ut aboa rd a tiddler) . Lamson' s o verall w in shoul d spea k for itself, but McGrath was also impressive . Apparently tired of being called a " supercross-o nl y " rider, McGrath showe d that when he puts his mind to it, he can also ride an outdoor co urse with ap lo m b. The w id e-op en Budds Creek track was about as different as you can get from anything you'll ever find in a stadium, but the Camel Supercross Champion pos ted 3-2 moto finishes for second overall - his best finish yet in his br ief 250cc National MX career. "I'm kind of known as a Supercross guy, and I'm doing my best to change that," said McGra th, who had missed the second round with a sore knee. "I'm stoked. My a rms pumped up early in the motes, but 1 rode better after 1 calmed d own . Wheneve r we ha ve a week off, 1get a little nervous." Defending .ch a m p io n Mik e Kiedrowski cam e into the race hoping for his second-straight win; but ended up doing a little damage control instead . Poor starts and crashes meant that he had to work through the pack in both motes, but he still managed 2-4 finishes for third overall. " I jus t kind of had one of tho se days," said Kiedrowski, a four- time National title-holder. "I've got to do bet- T 14 Steve Lamson rode Intelli gent ly and won the second 125cc Nati onal of his career, Increasing his lead In the series point standings.