Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

SFX National Arenacross Series Rounds 9/10: Palexpo (Above) Frenchman Mathieu Lalloz rode his Yamaha to some impressive finishes over the course of the weekend, Including a win In Frida)"s 250CC final. (LeftI Rust)' Holland (74) and Buddy Antunez (1) fight over the holeshot in Saturday's Dash For Cash, which Holland won. 1Ab0ve) Defending Champion and points leader Buddy Antunez won one final and was In the running for King of Geneva until the last race of the weekend, despite a 13th in Friday's 250cc final. He finished third overaU. (Above right) Edgar Tonenteras won the Jump Off on both nights with perfectly executed maneuvers like this Iook·back Hart Attack. more. Two laps later, he passed Stephenson for second and, within several tums, he made a move on Willoh through the rockers for the lead that sent the crowd of 12,000 into a frenzy. Dupasquier must have heard his countryman's charge to the front because he quickly got past Stephenson for third, then struck again and got by Willoh for second. Stephenson had enough of the French, and he re-passed Dupasquier for second on the final lap. Lalloz was too far ahead, though, and took a popular victory. Willoh and Hofmaster rounded out the top five. SATURDAY Gibson, Antunez and Hofmaster were the leaders out of the frrst tum in Saturday's 125cc final. Hofrnaster went down in the second comer and opened the door for LaJloz and Willoh. Antunez made a clean block-pass on Gibson for the lead on the second lap, and Lalloz was closing in fast also. Two laps later, Lalloz went to the inside of Gibson in a corner to make a block-pass, but it turned into an aggressive move that took Gibson to the floor. Gibson took some time to get going as Lalloz set out after Antunez. Willoh inherited third, and Dupasquier was in fourth. Stephenson challenged Dupasquier for several laps and eventually made the pass for fourth. Dupasquier would crash out of contention soon thereafter. Antunez comfortably took his first win of the weekend over Lalloz and Wi/loh. Stephenson and Travis Hodges rounded out the top five. Gibson hustled back to finish sixth. 38 JANUARY 10, 2001 • cue • e Willoh, France's Frederic Vialle and Antunez were the early leaders of the 250cc final. Stephenson, Lalloz and Gibson followed. At the end of the first lap, Gibson sent Lalloz flying over a berm and off the track. Lalloz slowly got to his feet and walked back to the pits. Gibson retired shortly thereafter as well. Willoh was never challenged and held the point from the start. Vialle, Antunez, Stephenson and Isaiah Johnson chased Willoh to no avail. Antunez made the pass for second on VialJe on lap 10, but soon after went off the track when he cross-rutted in the whoops. Antunez had no place to get back onto the track, and he lost several positions. Wi/Ioh took the win over ViaUe, Stephenson and Johnson. Hofrnaster and Antunez finished fifth and sixth. "I didn't ride as hard as I could have in the opening laps," Antunez said after the race. "I started going faster towards the end, but then I began to make mistakes, which ultimately took me out of the race." "I'm stoked; this is awesome: Willoh said on his way to the podium. "This event was cool. These trophies are sweet. How am I going to carry all of this stuff?" CN PalelpO Iienevll, SwilDltnl Ilesub: IIecanblI' 15-16, 2lDIlIllIlnIs SI1 a of 341 Friday 125 PRo: I. Jeff Gibson (Hen): 2. Buddy Antunez ($uzl: 3. Jeff Willoh (Hon): 4......th;a, L.aIIoz (Yam): 5. neVIl's Isaiah Johnson (Yam): 6. Denny Stephenson (KalAl); 7. Tnlvis Hodges (Hoo): 6. Tommy HoImaster (Yam); 9. .....rc Riston (Yam): 10. Rusty Holland (Hon): II. Mlk. Kalin (Yam); 12. Brandon Bartz (Vam): 13. Edgar Torronteres (Kaw); 14. Jim Chester (Suz); 15. Mike .....son (Han): 16. Pascal L..euret (KTM). 250 PRO: 1. Mathieu Lellaz (Yam); 2. Denny Stephenson (Kaw); 3. Phillipe Dupasquier (Kaw); 4. Jeff Willoh (Hon); 5. Tommy Hofmaster (Vern): 6. Travis Hodges (Hon); 7. Marc Riston (Yam): 6. Jeff Gibson (Hon); 9. Stephane Dem~lIrtis (Yam); 10. Nick Metcelf (Suz); II. MIk. Kalin (VIlIT1): 12. Isaiah Johnson (yam); 13. Buddy Antunez ($uz): 14. Mlk. Mason (Hon): 15. Sola Joel Lozano (KalAl); 16. Rusty Holland (Hon). DFC: 1. Buddy Antun •• (su~: 2. D.nny Stephenson (Kaw): 3......th;a, LaIJoz am): 4. Isaiah Johnson (Yam); 5. Rusty Holland (Hon : 6. Jeff Gibson (Hon). JUMP OFF: I. Edgar Torront.ras (KalAl): 2. Emmanuel Troux (Hen): 3. MIk. Mason (Hoo). Saturday 125 PRO, I. Buddy Antun•• (Su.): 2......thl.u Lalloz (Yam): 3. Jell Willoh (Hoo): 4. Denny Stephenson (KalAl); 5. Tnlvis Hodges (Han): 6. Jeff Gibson (Hen): 7. Rusty Holland (Hoo): 6. Tommy Hofmast.r (Yam): 9. PucaJ Leuret (KTM); 10. Jim Chester (Suz); 11. B

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