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IFMA FMX Series Round 5: Mellon Arena STORY AND PHOTOS BY RAYMOND GUNDY PrITSBORGH, PA, FEB.l·2 " ad" Mike Jones was hoping to come away with his first win of the series in front of his home crowd at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, but he knew that a win wasn't going to come easily this weekend. Normally, two FMX Series rounds are held at different venues on the same weekend, but this weekend, only one was held in Pittsburgh - so all of the heavy hitters of freestyle were in town. Unfortunately for Jones, he didn't get that elusive first win, but he did come close. Instead, it was Kenny Bartram and Dustin Miller getting the wins Friday and Saturday night, over such competition, as Jones, Drake McElroy, Jake Windham, Nate Adams, Tommy Clowers', Trevor Vines and Jeff Tilton. KTM/OGIO/Aplinestars!Vans rider Kenny Bartram showed everyone just why he is a multi-time FMX winner Friday night, as he qualified third with a 91.0 in round one, finishing right behind Vines and Jones, then he came back in the final to take the overall for the night with a score of 91. 7. "My night went good," said Bartram, who was gunning for his seventh straight win. "I rode good and I won. My run was okay to start off, but I almost went down after the second jump. But I came back and had a killer run to take the win. Taking seven for seven is great, I really thought 1 was going to get beat tonight. I just hope to do the same tomorrow." Saturday night was a little different for Bartram, as he and Miller both had a great run in round-one qualifying, going 1-2 in the final. This time, it was the defending champ, Thor/Powerade/DC Shoes rider Dustin Miller, stepping it up to take the win. Last weekend, Miller put an end to McElroy's win streak, and this weekend, he thwarted Bartram's run for eight straight. 28 FEBRUARY 20, 2002' cue (Left) Dustin Miller pulls a Look-Back Hart Attack on his way to winning Saturday night's main event. '" stepped it up Saturday, I put a few new tricks in my run and was able to walk away with the win," Miller said. "I wasn't that happy breaking Kenny's winning streak, because now I know the pressure is back on me again. I am just glad to come away with another win." Yamaha/SoBe/Thor/HJC/Alpinestar rider Trevor Vines had a killer run Friday, as he pulled out all the stops in round one, but in the main, he wasn't able to knock Bartram off the hot seat. "I was pretty pumped tonight, J knew this was going to be a tough event," Vines said. "This is like an east-west shootout in FMX. There are so many heavy hitters here this weekend that it's a hard event. There are a few riders that normally make the final that didn't. I am glad I did well and got on the podium." Bartram was in the shadow of Miller on Saturday night, as he was unable to beat the spectacular run that Miller had in the final. "Miller had an amazing run, he just didn't make any mistakes, plus he n • _ s I • added a few new tricks that impressed me," Bartram said. "He made it hard to beat him. I qualified first for the final, so it was mine to lose. I had a great run, but I fell short two-1 Oths of a point from keeping my winning streak. Miller has so much unbelievable natural talent, that he is one of the best FMX riders out there. I think if I would have pulled a Sterilizer, , could have beat him, but I wasn't sure I could land it." Local favorite, AST /OGIO/Red Bull/Answer Racing's Mike Jones, was able to pull off a third Friday after finishing second place in round one. Jones just didn't have what the judges were looking for, even after pulling off the trick that won the Winter X Games two weeks ago. "The night went all right, and I am happy to be here in front of my hometown," Jones said. "Same old thing the judges did not like my runs. My run went good, I landed side-saddle for my last trick and no one has done it in an IFMA event. It looks like the Sterilizer is the trick that gets a better score. I am bummed about it, but I am over it now. I got a lot of fans here in my hometown and that is why I am here - for the fans. I wish I would have won it in my hometown, but it isn't my time. The No-Footed Can-toSidesaddle just didn't impress the judges, I hope to do better tomorrow." On Saturday, Ford Ranger/Red Bull/Maxxis/Alpinestars rider Tommy Clowers, stepped it up after being the last rider to qualify for the final. Being the first one out, he still pulled a great run to take third in the final. "I did better Saturday, I had a great run and was able to pull off a third for the night," Clowers said. "Everyone here stepped it up on Saturday, I am just glad I did, too." Fourth on Friday went to Miller as he watched three riders from the other series take the podium. Miller had a hard night, as he had to run rounds one and two to make it to the final. "The night went all right, I had a few problems in the main," Miller said. "I did some pretty hard tricks and a Dead Sailor. I got beat by the Sterilizer again." Finishing fourth on Saturday was SkinjTroy Lee Designs/Oakley/FMF's Ronnie Renner. "It was a tough weekend, a lot of great riders are here, and the judges are looking at things differently, too," Renner said. "I am glad to just make the final and get a fourth Saturday." eN Mellon Arena Pittsburgh, Pennsylvlnil Resuhs:Februarrl-2,2DD2 Friday O/A: 1. Kenny Bartram (91.7); 2. Trevor Vines (91.5): 3. Mike Jones (91.3): 4. Dustin Miller (91.0): 5. Drake McElroy (90.7); 6. Tommy Clowers (90.3); 7. Ronnie Renner (89.7); 8. Jeke Windham-(89.5): 9. Jimmie McGuire (89.1); 10. Bellu 8emburg (89.0); 11. John Distier (66.7): 12. Robert Distler (86.5): 13. Jeff Tilton (66.0): 14. Note Ad.ms (67.5): 15. Jesse Olson (60.0). Saturday O/A: 1. Dustin Miller (92.5); 2. Kenny Bartram 92.3); 3. Tommy Clowers (92.0); 4. Ronnie Renner 91.7); 5. Mike Jones (91.5); 6. Drake McElroy 91.3); 7. Trevor Vines (91.0); 8. Nate Adams (88.5); 9. J.ke Windh.m (90.5); 10. Jesse Olson (90.3): II. Jeff Tilton (69.7): 12. Robert Distler (69.3): 13. Be.u Bamburg (88.7); 14. John Distler (88.0); 15. Jimmie McGuire (87.0). IFI'IA FMX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS: I. Dustin Miller (467): 2. Dr.ke McElroy (459): 3. Ronnie Renner (428): 4. Joke Windh.m (405): 5. Jeff Tilton (404): 6. Kenny B.rtr.m (397): 7. Jesse Olson (367l: 8. Beau Bamburg (375); 9. Jimmie McGuire (372 ; 10. Tommy Clowers (362): 11. Robert Distier (279: 12. Ryen Leyba (277); 13. Brian Foster (277); 14. John Distler (275); 15. C.leb Wy.tt (274): 16. M.tt Knesek (267): 17. Mike Jones (266): 16. Chris Denison (260); 19. Trevor Vines (26d); 20. Ryen H.nson (256). 1