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early in the 250cc final just minutes later. Lalloz was on the ground for several minutes before walking off the track. and Gibson dropped out of the race several laps later. The two eventually shook hands after the event. FRIDAY Denny Stephenson (2) showed good consistency throughout the event, but he couldn't quite catch Willoh and finIshed a respectable second overall for the weekend. swinging on Friday by taking a 250cc heat-race win over Antunez and Willoh, and later that night, convincingly took the 250cc main-event win. A fourth in Friday's 125cc final and a second in Saturday's 125cc final definitely gave the soft-spoken Frenchman some confidence, as he now heads for the U.S. to contest the first four rounds of the Supercross Series in January for FMF. "I know that I am fast on a 250cc, but I did not know how I'd do against the Americans," Lalloz said in part English, part French via a translator. "I have raced some Americans at Bercy, but not any of these Arenacross racers." Notable mention goes out to Ohio's Jeff Gibson, who took his father along as his wrench. The 18-year-old privateer won Friday night's 125cc final and looked to be one of the fastest riders on loz block-passed and took the Ameri- the Supercross-style track all weekend Antunez was the early leader of the 125cc final, followed by Willoh, Gibson, Stephenson and Pro Source Yamaha's Tommy Hofmaster. Gibson got by both Willoh and Antunez, and was in the lead before the end of the first lap. Lalloz was about seventh, with Motoworldracing.com/Answer Yamaha's Isaiah Johnson in tow. Although Gibson pulled away from the pack in the early laps, Antunez closed back in on him at the halfway point of the 12-lap final. Gibson once again put some ground on Antunez and Willoh, but sneaking up behind the trio was Lalloz, whom none of the Americans had even considered a threat. Gibson took a big win with room to spare over Antunez, Willoh, the hard-charging Lalloz and Johnson. "I just rode my own race and pulled away," Gibson said. "These will be my fmal Arenacross races, and it gives me some confidence for the Supercross Series, since the track is more like a Supercross. " Willoh was the first rider out of the tight left-handed first tum in the 250cc fmal. Antunez, Gibson, France's Phillipe Dupasquier and Stephenson were next. Going into turn two, Antunez made a slight bobble and slowed, and Gibson, who was already in the air directly behind him, landed on the number-one Suzuki and took them both to the ground. Gibson got up quickly, but Antunez took some time and was in a distant last place once he did get going. Willoh was in control up front, with Stephenson and Dupasquier chasing. Lalloz and American Suzuki's Nick Metcalf followed. Lalloz was the man on the move as he passed his French opponent Dupasquier for third on the fourth lap of the 14-lap main and was looking for can to the ground. Revenge came long. On Saturday, Gibson was running sweet for Gibson, who took out Lalloz in second in the 125cc final when Lal- while they were running fifth and sixth Evidence of the European locale was all around the Arenacross regulars, In the fonn of pom-pom girts, wild, air-hom equipped fans and crated-up motorcycles. cue. e n _ _ S • JANUARY 10, 2001 37