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/127936
MOTOCROSS i: ",OSIer 11." US'11 II · ,a"ey A GNC INTERNATIONAL FINAL By Tony Alessi MOSIER VALLEY, IX, MAR. 13-15 osta Rican Motocross Champion Ernesto Fonseca was one of the many big winners at the 22nd running of the 'GNC International Motocross Final at Mosier Valley USA Fonseca proved he was the fast rider in Texas (at least this week), as he flew to the overall 125cc Expert-class championship, Fonseca, however, had to share some of the spotlight after trading moto wins with Georgia's Matt Walker, but Fonseca won the all-important se,ond moto to claim the number-one trophy, Approximately 1000 riders from more than 41 states and three countries braved the elements - such as bitterly cold temperatures, rain, mud and even a spot or two of good weather - at this year's event Fonseca on his Fox-backed Yamaha looked like a runaway winner in the first 125cc Expert race, but Walker wanted none of that and he sliced away at Fon~eca's lead after a mid pack starL Unfortunately for Walker, it was a classic case of too little too late, as Fonseca scored the moto win, Team Noleen's Jerry Aleman, Brett Racine and Doug Parsons rounded ou t the top five, The second mota saw Racine find his , ..... ,-< l-< P-. ~ 34 way into the lead and then he simply ran and hid from the competition, "Back home in Northern California it rains almost every day, so you ride and· practice in the rain and mud or don't ride at all," Racine said. "This is what motocross is all about: racing in all conditions - mud, sand, rain or dry, My mud-riding was tlle best today!' Racine might have won the second moto, but it was Fonseca's day, His 1-3 tally was more' than enough'to top Racine's 4-1 and Walker's 2-5, "I have been in Florida with Ricky Carmid1ael for the last few weeks," Fonseca said, "It's really helped me a lot to ride with someone as talented as him, plus I have been trying to eat a lot better; all these things contributed to this championship!' Team Green/Fox-backed Chase Reed posted his first major victories of his big-bike career after collecting two championships in both the 125cc Stock and Modified lntermedia te classes. Last year, Reed scored numerous Minicycle titles, including two at Ponca City and eight in Texas, but the 14-year-old from Lone Grove, Oklahoma, simply outgrew the Minicycle division and stepped into the 125cc class. Reed and California's Bryan McGavran had a knock-down, drag-out battle in the first 125cc Modified Intermediate race. Reed sat in the pilot's seat for the greater part of the race; then the two riders collided near the start-line turn late in the race. "I hit a rock and stalled my bike," Reed said. "Bryan ran into me and fell." "Actually, I think Chase was a little (Above) Costa Rican Ernesto Fonseca took top honors in the 125cc Expert class at the GNC International MX Finals at Mosier Valley USA in Texas. (Left) Chase Reed rode to victory in the very competitive 125cc Intermediate class. (Right) James Stewart went home with tw.o 80ccclass championships. heavy on the brakes in that turn, but that's racing," McGavran said. Reed was back under way in a heartbeat and went on for the win, while McGavran came back in second, in front of Team Green/ AXO-backed R.]. Thompson. The final, championship-deciding