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/128144
Kelly Smith snares the 125cc holeshot on his VZ250F. motorcycle. He was instantly up and at it, finishing out the race in 16th. Reed made his move on the 12th lap after cleanly hitting a triple to set up the pass. In one of the many 180s, this one a right-hander, Reed steered under Brown and powered out, doubling the subsequent jumps for the lead. "I hit the triple quite good," Reed said. "I actually jumped straight underneath him. Then I went to the outside and he went on the outside and left the whole corner open. He pretty much just told me to go in there, so I put it in there and put a few good laps in and won the race." "For sure you know he's got the confidence going on now," Brown said of Reed. "I've been off and on. My arms got tired. This is not my kind ofracing." Asked if he thought the four-stroke YZ250F gave him an advantage, Reed said that it didn't. "I don't believe it is [an advantage]," he said. "It really comes down to the rider. I am a big believer in that. The bike is great, but also the other bikes are great. At the Yamaha test track, its not like I can do everything better what the other 125 guys do. I don't think it's an advantage at all." He admitted, however, that the four-stroke did give him an edge in making the pass, allowing him to steer with the front tire. "I think on the four-stroke, that if you can gear it right, it seems like you can stay in one gear the whole track," Reed said. "It's definitely an advantage. " The only negative on the otherwise positive night was his lingering groin injury. "When I'm warm, it seems okay," Reed said. But to get ready to ride, he rides an exercise bike for 20 minutes, " ...before I go out, and it seems okay. When it stops, like right now, it's pretty painful, but I have a weekend off, so I'll spend that time to get that better." As for going undefeated, Reed said, "Everybody wants to win them all, but sometimes things happen. I just want to stay out of trouble and try my best to win them all and hopefully win the championship." Brown's second was secure, but he knew it wasn't good enough. "It's good to get wins when you can get them, but I'm going to have to step it up in the main," he said. "I've finished second and fourth this season and I really need another good finish in the main to keep my title hopes alive. "I need a win and it has to happen at Daytona if I'm going to make a run at this thing. I'm confident I have what it takes and I just have to put together a complete ride in the main." From the 10th lap on, Boniface controlled third, eventually finishing five seconds behind Brown and nearly three in front of Kelly Smith. "When you start at the front of the race, it is always easy," Boniface said. "You just have to keep your pace and try to improve it. Tonight, I did not have a really good start." Boniface said the red Georgia clay had given him some trouble, but it was the same for everyone. "Yes, I think it was more technical than last week," the Frenchman said. "We had a lot of crashing yesterday [in practice], so it's good to finish on the podium." Trailing Smith was Team Blimpie Suzuki's Antunez and his teammate Branden Jesseman, just 0.7 behind the multi-time Arenacross Champion. Antunez had taken Ward on the 14th lap, followed shortly by Jesseman. Ward ended up seventh, well in front of Dowd. eN 16. Micky Marshall (KTM); 17. Chad Cook (Yom); 18. Michael Ivers (Yam); 19. Kurt Jennison (Yam): 20. Donny Carlson (Suz). l1me: 5 min., 17.230 sea. 125 HEAT 2 (6 laps, 1·9 transfer): 1. Chad Reed (Yom); 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 3. UlIT)' Word (Yom); 4. Robb.. Horton (Hon); 5. Joshua Summey (Yom); 6. Kelly Smith (Yom); 7. Tyson Hadsell (Yom); 8. Michael Blose (Suz); 9. Chose Reed (Yom); 10. Charlie Degner (Hon); II. Jon Boruff (Hon); 12. Johnny Morley (Hon); 13. Taylor Watts (Yom); 14. Bradley Ripple (Suz); 15. Steve Andrich (Yom); 16. Hans Neel (KTM): 17. Terry Bloke (Yom); 18. Brandon Butler (Suz); 19. Keith Johnson (Yom); 20. Michael Stevenson (Yom). Smith (Yam); 5. Buddy Antunez (Suz): 6. Br8nden Jessemon (Suz); 7. UlIT)' Word (Yom); 8. John Dowd (KTM); 9. Jeff Gibson (Yom); 10. Paul Currie (Suz); 11. Justin Buckelew (Suz); 12. Joshu8 Summey (Y8m); 13. Robbie Horton (Han); 14. Troy Ad8ms (Y8m); 15. Steve Andrich (Yam); 16. Grant ulngston (KTM); 17. Gre9 Schnell (Yom); 18. Chose Reed (Yom); 19. Steve Mertens (Hus); 20. Tyson Hadsell (Yom); 21. Michael Blose (Suz); 22. Joshua Woods (Suz). TlJ1le: 13 mins., 5.980 sees. Margin of victory: 5.520 sees. IV'IA/EA SPORTS 125cc EASTERN REGIONAL SUPERCROSS C'SHIP POINT STANDINGS (After 3 of 8 rounds): I. Chad Reed (75/3 wins); 2. Michael Brown (62); 3. Steve Boniface (54); 4. UlIT)' Word (48); 5. Buddy Antunez (47); 6. Kelly Smith (40); 7. John Dowd (33); 8. Greg Schnell (30); 9. (TIE) Robbie Horton/Jeff Gibson (29); II. Br8nden Jessemon (28); 12. Grant Ulngston (27); 13. Paul Currie (24); 14. Joshua Woods (19); 15. Ryan Clark (18); 16. Biily Payne (15); 17. Tyson Hadsell (10); 18. Joshua Summey (9); 19. Keith Johnson (8); 20. Troy Adorns (7). TIme: 5 min•• 9.560 sees. 125 lCQ (4 lops, 1-4 transfer): 1. Troy Adorns (Yam): 2. Steve Mertens (Hus); 3. Steve Andrich (Yam); 4. Paul Currie (Suz); 5. BnldJey Ripple (Suz); 6. BolT)' Co""'n (Suz); 7. Jon Boruff (Hon); 8. Hans NeeI (Hus); 9. Taylor Watts (Yom); 10. Michael Stevenson (Yom); I I. Ryan Clark (Yom);12. Nicky Mersholl (KTM); 13. Brandon Butler (Suz); 14. Chad Cook (Yom); 15. David Hill (Suz); 16. Keith Johnson (Yam); 17. Mich8el Ivers (Y8m); 18. Terry Bl8ke (Yom); 19. Charlie Dogner (Hon); 20. Johnny Morley (Hon); 21. Kurt Jennjson (Yam); 22. D8nny C8rlson (Suz). TIme: 3 min.. 38.940 sees. 125 MAIN: I. Chad Reed (Yom); 2. Michael Brown (Kaw); 3. Steve Bonif8ce (KTM): 4. Kelly Upcoming Rounds: Round 4 - Daytona Beach, Florida, March 9 Round 5 - New Orleans, Louisiana, March 16 Georgie Dame Atlenta, Georgie Resub: February 23, 2002 (Round 31 125 HEAT I (6 laps, 1-9 transfer): I. Mike Brown (Kl!IIw); 2. Steve Boniface (KTM); 3. Grant Ulngston (KTM); 4. Jeff Gibson (Yom); 5. Bronden Jessemlln (Yl!IIm); 6. Joshull Woods (Suz); 7. John Dowd (KTM); 8. Justin Buckelew (SU%); 9. Greg Schnell (Vem); 10. Ryan Clark (Y8m); 11. Paul Currie (SUt); 12. Troy Adams (Vern): 13. Barry Carsten (Suz); 14. Steve Mertens (Hus); 15_ David Hill (Suz); cue. e n • _ OS • MARCH 6, 2002 13