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/128098
Western Regional 1 25cc Supercross Series Round S: Astrodome (Left) Travis Preston (40) gave Husqvama Its first Supercross victory at Houston, but he got help from a surprising source • European rival KTM. Grant Langston, of the KTMlRed Bull team, was headed to a sure win when he fell on the last lap, moments after pre-celebratlng with his ann pumped in the air. (Below) Langston grieves moments after taking the checkered flag in fourth place. By DAVE DERINGER PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN HOUSTON,TX,MAR.24 .. fter a full-month break in the the 125cc Western Regional riders came back to do battle at Houston's soon-to-be-demolished Astrodome. And it turned into a stellar night for a group of individuals who are somewhat new to the Supercross game: Fast by Ferracci's DKNY/Troy Lee/Dunlop Husqvarna squad, who are now in their second full year on the SX/MX tour. At the Astrodome, the team got its first 125cc Supercross win, as did Hesperia, California's Travis Preston, who, Aboard a Frank Latham-tuned Husqvarna CR 125, won the 15-lap race in dramatic fashion. After starting inside the top 10, Preston rode his heart out the entire race, never knowing what position he was in. He continually worked his way up and took advantage of a lastlap crash by race leader Grant fIIIf series, 10 APRIL 4.2001 ' cue I • Langston. Preston got by the downed and dazed Langston only four comers before the finish and didn't even know that he had won when he took the checkers. It wasn't until the 23year-old rolled into the mechanics' area and found out that he had won, at which time began his rather mild celebration. "I just rode like everybody else," a calm Preston said. "I kept looking forward and focused ahead. Everyone was making mistakes and it worked out well. My results have been getting better every week and I've been getting used to the bikes and the bikes are getting better, too. They turn on a dime and handle so good, plus the motors are real strong, too. I knew it would happen sooner or later, it all depended on the start. I did get a good start and some people fell and I was right there." Finishing second was Motoworld Racing.com/Answer/Pro Circuitsponsored Greg Schnell. The 25year-old Schnell also had a comen __ s from-behind ride and also took advantage of many downed riders to capture what was his best result of the 2001 season. Coming off a third place finish at the third Anaheim round, Schnell is now back up to where he was in 2000. "I couldn't buy a start all night and I just don't understand it," Scnnell commented of his riding. "I thought that I was farther back in the final because I started in nearly last. I felt good all night and I just can't imagine if I got a good start what might have happened. Things are starting to come together." Filling out the podium was Frenchman Rodrig Thain. The Team Suzuki/AXO-supported Thain gated well, but got arm pump early on and decided to safely ride out the race rather than throw it away. It was a smart move, because with only two rounds remaining, Thain moves into third in the points standings, just two points out of second. "Hot Rod" is real happy with his Suzuki ride and is looking for his first-ever Supercross win real soon. "I'm not that pissed because I didn't win, because I got bad arm pump tonight," Thain said. "I rode some good laps and the track was rough. I got third last year here, too. I do need to win, though." Finishing a disappointing fourth was Red Bull/KTM/Thor's Langston. The 18-year-old South African led nearly the entire race, and had a good-sized lead before a last-lap crash pummeled the rider into the ground. Langston wants nothing more than to win a Supercross race, and after coming so close and riding so well the whole night, it was a wonder that he could easily talk of the incident.