Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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MOTOCROSS 24th Annual Winter· National Olympics. Gainesville, Florida KaweaaklTeam G....n rider Casey Johnson (58) wes the top-finishing Expert-class racer at the Winter Olympics. Here, he leeds Suzuki's Charley Bogard (10). By Mike and Anne Adair GAlNFSVILLE, FL, NOV. 2(}'25 asey Johnson won the overall Expert Championship a t the 24th Annual Winter National Olympics the hard way. Johnson failed to place in the opening TT event, but gained momentum daily to eventually score wins in the remaining supercross, motocross and grand prix events to clinch the Dunlop Silver Tire Award. The highly competitive Expert class featured eight different class winners l!) over the six days of competition. 0\ "I almost lost it in the 12Scc Grand 0\ M Prix race," Johnson said. "My rear wheel came loose and a pit stop to fix it took me out of the points in that race." Johnson took the pressure in stride and moved up through the pack to win the final 2S0cc Expert event. Costa Rica's Emesto Fonseca swept every event in the 8Scc (14-15) class and scored wins in the 125cc (12-15) division to earn the new Arai Helmet Award for highest points of any rider. Fonseca also won the AXO Bronze Boot award for highest performance in the amateur divisions. "It is difficult coming from another country and competing here but I had a lot of help," Fonseca said. "Beach Sport Cycle Yamaha Racing and Pro Circuit set up bikes for me and h Iped me all week to keep them running fast." Over 40-class rider Johnny Borders was the second rider to earn a perfect score, winning every event. Fellow senior competitor Barry Mayo, who was a consistent runner-up to Borders, joked, "Borders rides too fast to be a Senior. He needs to be back in the Expert classes." TommyHarrison, who competed in the UScc C division, received the most points in the amateur ranks. "This is my first National ever," said Harrison. "I had a lot of fun. I have never been to an event that offers as much diversity and good competition as this one." KTM America's Mike Lacrone presented a pair of KTM 50s to Ricky Renner and Jake Griffis. Lacrone said, "KTM wants to show support for our stars of the future, and these two have earned top points in their stock classes." "It is wonderful to see the second generation of racers coming here," said promoter Bill West. "Sons and daughters of former riders Johnny Borders, Mark Barnett, Donnie Hansen, John Lundy and Tony Summey are competing this year. I think that participating with your child in racing gives you a chance to get to know them better and to teach them some important lessons about life." The Ricky Joseph Sportsmanship award went to Joel Strawn from Wiggins, Mississippi. Announcer Mark Banger said, "Strawn not only provides and maintains his son's bikes, but he cooks, and babysits a two-year-old at the same time." A special Worldsports Star Of The Future Award was pre ented to Chase Borders. The World Sport-promoted event drew nearly 3500 entries, representing 38 states and eight countries. TT Of all the event categories at the Winter Olympics, the TT is the most simple and straightforward. Get a good start and stay out of trouble, and cling to those points. The course is smooth, and the checkered flag appears so fast that there is barely time to sneeze. Expert riders Robbie Horton, Anthony Pocorobba and Johnson took class wins, but Jeff Willoh, Brock Sellards, Charlie Bogard, Casey Lytle, and J.D. Collins established their claim to the future gold as well. WilIoh, in his first competition after switching to Honda, led the 12Scc A Stock final, flag-ta-flag. Anthony Paggio passed Brock Sellards at the halfway mark to win the 125cc A Modified final. "I had to be careful," said Paggio. '1t was slippery and their were a lot of holes. Hey, those rocks hurt." Robbie Horton and Johnson each led the 250cc final from start to end. In 50cc (4-6) Modified competition, Ricky Renner started his gold quest with a victory. Davi Milsaps zapped both 50cc (7-8) finals. "I got two holeshots, but I know Jake Griffis and Andrew Matusek were pushing me hard," said Milsaps. Edgardo Rojas began his eventual 65cc (7-11) sweep with a pair of victories. "Since racing here last year, I found that it was important to learn English in school," he said. "My sponsor, Moto Import, placed me in an American ,