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/127740
·.MOTOCROSS··· ..... .' :.AIIA·12SI25!IcC·~~~S8rIes· Round 9: Spring Creek MX Park By KIt P81rner. Photos by Kinney Jones MILLVILLE, MN, JULY 30 he tide has changed. Not long ago it seemed as though Tearn Honda riders were winning everything in sight, but last week at the Unadilla National in New York, Kawasaki riders Mike LaRocco and Ryan Hughes put an abrupt end to the Jeremy McGrath and Steve Lamson show. This week Kawasaki's riders again came away with overall wins at Spring Creek National MX. But this ~e, it wasn't LaRocco or Hughes who did the deed. Instead, it was fonner champ Mike Kiedrowski and Robbie Reynard giving Kawasaki its second clean sweep in as many weeks, and doing so in front of a large crowd estimated to be over 12,000. The wins were also the second of the season for both riderS: Kiedrowski's last victory came in April at the Hangtown National in California, and Reynard's came way back in March at the Gatorback National in Florida. Like LaRocco's success last week at Unadilla, Kiedrowski gathered up the overall win in the 250cc class without . winning a moto, but instead using consistent 2-3 moto finishes to take home the gold on an extremely hot and humid day in Minnesota. Kiedrowski, on his Brian Lunniss-tuned KX25O, led the first ~uarters of the opening race until getting passed by arch rival and teammate LaRocco, who put in an outstanding come-from-behind ride to win the race. But in the second moto, LaRocco never even made it past the first turn. As the pack funneled through the wideopen sweeper, LaRocco was pushed out wide and his foot caught one of the sunken automobile tires that line the course. The resulting crash left the already battered LaRocco limping back to the pits with a sore knee. Yamaha riders Jeff Emig and John Dowd found themselves leading the way, and the two riders duked it out until Dowd, who won his first-ever National here last year at Spring Creek, broke loose to score the win. However, Dowd and Emig crashed into each other early in the first moto, ending any hopes Team Yamaha had of taking the overall Instead, it was Kiedrowski, one of only a few riders to turn in two solid performances on the day, recorded the win. McGrath ended up sewing up second overall despite crashing in the second turn and having the wind knocked out of him. After finishing third in the first moto, McGrath charged hard through the field and was rewarded with fifth in the moto and second overall. Dowd salvaged third overall with an 11-1 showing. Surprising not only the hometown crowd but bimseU as well, was fourthoverall finisher Donny Schmit of Ramsey, Minnesota. The two-time MX World Champion came out of retirement to compete in front of his fans at what he calls his home track. Honda of Troy loaned him a motorcycle ~d gave him support, and Schmit showed his appreciation by riding two strong matos, finishing fifth in the opener and fourth in the second moto. Rounding out the overall top five was Team Noleen/Sizzler /Xtreme/ Yamaha's Larry Ward, who had the overall win in his grasp for about a quarter of a lap late in the second, before getting passed by Kiedrowski, Schmit and McGrath. Even though the pendulum might be on Kawasaki's side as of late, Honda is still ruling the series - at least in the 250cc class. Despite failing to win a moto, McGrath now enjoys a cushy 33point lead over Emig, who saw his championship hopes go up in smoke