Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA EA Sports Supel"'Cl"'Oss Series Round 15: Rice-Eccles S ium ation, however, most refrained from Teriecki (Suz). The tumble allowed Tortelli to take doubling (McGrath was jumping, but intention of relinquishing the position. meaningful time on the two leaders), He was far behind LCQ (6 lops, 1·2 transfer): 1. Ben RIddle (Suz): 2. Keith John..,., (Yam); 3. Blair Morgan (Hon); 4. Brian />\ason (Kaw); 5. Scolt Davis (Suz); 6. Robb over third, and the Frenchman had no was far enough back not to gain TIme: 5 min.• 0.180 sees. his second-place the top seven positions remained the Nathan Ramsey (Hon); 4. Jeremy McGrath (Yom); 5. Sebastien Tortelll (Hon); 6. Ryan Clork (Yom); 7. Ben Riddle (Suz); 8. Damon Huffman (Suz); 9. Dorey Lange (Kow); 10. Blair Morgan (Hon); 11. Joson Frenette (Hon); 12. Robb FIoth (Hon); 0. Jeremias Israel (Hon); 14. Scott Davis (Suz); 15. Biily Blnckley (Yom); 16. Andreu Labrador (Yom); 17. Kevin Townsend (Hon); 18. TImmy Ferry (Yom); 19. Isaiah John5On (Suz); 20. Joseph Oehlhof (Yom). TIme: 6 min.. 31.670 sees. HEAT 2 (8 lops, 1-4 transfer): 1. Ricky CannK:haei (Hon); 2. Ezra Lusk (Kaw); 3. Stephane same until a few turns from the finish. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 6. Heath Voss (Hon); 7. Nick Wey At that point, Lusk and Ramsey got (Hon); 10. Ryan Terlecki (Suz); 11. Ted Campbell together and went down, and what (Hon); 14. Zeb Armstrong (Yom); 15. Brion Mason KOW); 16. Brian Edwards (Kow); 17. Lars Undstrom Hon); 18. Ezhon Bates (Suz); 19. Keith R. Johnson and workers directed traffic around countryman, but comfortably ahead Bodnar and Voss. After over eight of Fonseca (who had also moved by laps had gone by, Voss regained con- the fallen McGrath). McGrath was up sciousness and could be helped off in time to take over fifth, and was fol- the track. lowed by Ramsey and Lusk. "It was just a concussion," Bodnar said. "He'll feel it, but he should be okay, I never even thought about getting hit. The track workers did a great job of keeping people away from us, and I was able to focus on what I was doing." In the meantime, McGrath had lost his seemingly secure hold on his third podium in as many weeks when he tangled with Lange while trying to lap the arenacross regular on lap HEAT I (8 lops, 1-4 Iran.fer): 1. David Vulllemin (Yam); 2. Ernesto Fons~a (Hon); 3. That was pretty much the race, as with the sticky soil, both were quite slow in getting remounted and underway. When they finally did, Lusk was ahead, thereby swapping sixth and (Yam); 8. Tyler Evans (Hua); 9. James Povolny Jr. (Suz); 12. Devey Castillo (Yam); 13. Chris Barrett l Yam); 20. Daniel Blelr (Yam). TIme: 6 min., 20.820 sees. SEMI 1 (8 laps. 1·4 transfer): 1. Sebastien Tortelli (Hon); 2. Ryan Clark (Yam); 3. Damon Huffman (Suz); 4. Dorey Lange (Kow); 5. Timmy Ferry (Yam); 6. Ben Riddle (Suz); 7. Blair Morgen (Hon); 8. Jeremias Israel (Hon); 9. Robb Roth (Hon); seventh places at the finish. "Last year was probably a little 11. Ronc:ada (Kaw); 4. Jean·SebasUen Roy (Hon); 5. "He ran into the back of me," tougher mentally, because I didn't McGrath said. "After the whoops, I know what to expect, and I didn't turned the corner, I kind of bobbled a know what to do," Carmichael said. little bit in the rut, and went up the "This one was tougher physically, jump, and he center-punched me in because I was nursing an injury for the swingarm and I highsided." three or four weeks. " eN 10. Jeson Frenette (Hon); 11. Scott Davis (Suz); 12. Kevin Townsend (Hon); 13. Isaiah Johnson (Suz); 14. Andreu Labrador (Yam); 15. Billy Binckley (Yom); 16. Joseph Oehlhof (Yom). TIme: 4 min., 50.650 sees. SEMi 2 (8 laps, 1-4 transf.r): 1. Nick Wey (Yom); 2. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 3. Tyler Evans (Hus); 4. Heath Voss (Hon); 5. James Povolny (Hon); 6. Keith Johnson (Vern); 7. Brien Meson (Kew); 8. Ted Rice-Eccles Stadium is the venue where the beautiful opening and closing ceremonies for the Winter Olympics were held just a few months ago, and there were still signs around town promoting the Games. Because Utah law stipulates that companies advertising beer give equal space 10 non-alcoholic baverages, the stadium banners promoling Bud Light (an increasingly present sponsor of supercross) were accompanied by O'Doul's signs. After playing in a losing (but close) effort to the Sacramento Kings in the nearby Delta Cenler, Utah Jazz star Karl Malone paid a visit to the supercross with his son Karl Malone Jr.. whose Power Forward Monster Truck was on display at Rice-Eccles Stadium. which will host a Clear Channel·promoted Monster Truck event at the Delta Center on June 29. According to Bud Light Yamaha manager Larry Brooks, Jeremy McGrath isn't yet sure whether or not he'lI contest any of the outdoor Nationals. - He wants to take some time off to give his anns time to heal, and he'll be getting married August 3. - Brooks said. Speaking of McGrath's Bud Light team, its Yamaha deal expires at the end of this year, though the arrangement with Bud Light is a multi-year deal. There's been talk that McGrath, who still wants to race a couple more years, may be on a green bike in 2003. but Brooks said it's too early to say. 'We're happy with Yamaha, and we'd like to stay there,' Brooks said. Though it's difficult to get anyone to speak officially about the topic, there are many off-the-record grumblings about AST, the marketing and merchandising company that made a big entrance into supercross earlier this season. The most visible evidence thai something is amiss with AST, whose logo adorns Ihe apparel of Teams Bud Lighl Yamaha and Boost MobilelYamaha/Troy Rac· ing, is the fact that there has been no AST logo on the Bud Light truck at the last two races. Bud Light Yamaha driver Brian Barnhart and Yamaha Racing's Megan Janson will celebrate the end of the supercross series next week in Las Vegas by getting marrieclthe following day. Jeremy McGrath had a fun week prior to Salt Lake. After the Dallas round, McGrath. manager Larry Brooks, trainer Todd Jacobs and Utah tour guide Jim Doman flew directly to Grand Junction. Colorado. then drove to Moab. On Monday, they rode their mountain bikes 50 miles. and then they white-water rafted on Tuesday. After another mountain bike ride on Wednesday, they Aew to Salt Lake on Thursday morning for press day. TIme: 5 min., 14.000 sees. MAIN (20 laps): I. RIcky Connichoel (Hon); 2. David Vuillemln (Yom); 3. Sebastien Tortelll (Hon); 4. Emesto Fonseca (Hon); 5. Jeremy McGrath (Yom); 6. Ezra Lusk (Kow); 7. Nathan Ramsey (Hon); 8. Stephane Rone.de (KllW); 9. Jean-Sebastien Roy (Hon); 10. Nick Wey (Yom); 11. TImmy FerrY (Yom); 12. Damon Huffman (Sw.); 13. Keith R. Johnson (Yom); 14. Ryan Clark (Yam); 15. James Povolny Jr. (Hon); 16. Ben Riddle (Suz); 17. Dorey Lange (Kow); 18. Heath Voss (Hon); 19. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 20. Tyler Evans (Hus). TIme: 16 min., 9.750 sees. Winner's Average Lap: 48.487 sees. Margin of Victory: 2.470 secs. AMA EA SPORTS SUPERCROSS SERIES C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 15 of 16 rounds): I. RIcky Connichoel (331/10 wins); 2. David Vuillemln (301/2 Wins); 3. Jeremy McGrath (234); 4. Ezra Lusk (223); 5. Stephone Roncodo (218); 6. Nathan Ramsey (211/1 Wins); 7. Emesto Fonseca (177); 8. Nicholas Wey (160); 9. Heath Voss (148); 10. Damon Huffman (142); 11. Mike laRocco (120/1 win); 12. Sebastien TortelJi (106); 13. Timmy Ferry (104); 14. Kyle Lewis (100); 15. Jean-Sebastien Roy (98); 16. Travis Pastrana (96); 17. Keith R. Johnson (73); 18. Kevin Windham (62); 19. Michoei Byrne (56); 20. (TIE) James Povolny Jr./Chod Reed (47). Campbell (Suz); 9. Dovey CasUlio (Yom); 10. Chris Berrett (Hon); 11. Ethen Betes (Su.z); 12. Zeb Armstrong (Yom); 13. Brian Edwards (Kaw); 14. Lars Lindstrom (Hon); 15. Daniel Blair (Yom); 16. Ryan crash with Wey's teammate Kyle Lewis. it looks like he'll have to settle for second. BRIEFLY••• Floth (Hon); 7. Jeremias Israel (Hon); 8. Davey Castillo (Yam); 9. Joson Frenette (Hon); 10. ZeI> Armstrong (Yam); 1I. Ted Campbell (Suz); 12. Brion Edwards (Kow); 13. Kevin Townsend (Hon); 14. Ethan Bates (Suz); 15. AndretJ Labrador (Yom); 16. Lars Undstrom (Hon); 17. Isaiah John5Orl (Suz); 18. Ryan Terlecki (Suz); 19. Chris Barrett (Yom); 20. Billy Bmckley (Yom); 21. Daniel Blair (Yom); 22. Jnseph Oehlhof (Yom). Before Voss' night ended badly with the aforementioned crash On which he landed on the back of Lewis' bike and was knocked unconscious for several minutes), it started badly with a pair of crashes in his single practice session (the firsl coming just seconds after the riders were waved onto the trackJ. Canadian Blair Morgan, who won the White Brothers fourstroke race at the U.S. Open last year, rode for Blackfoot Honda at Salt Lake. Morgan will stay with the team for Las Vegas. the first two outdoor Nationals and the Canadian Nationals On which he placed second last year). Blackfoot Honda concentrates on the Canadian Nationals in the summer, but they'll campaign the first two U.S. Nationals in the States as preparation. Heath Voss may well try to line up a ride to do the entire Chevy Trucks Nationai Series, though team manager Bill Tanner says Blackfoot would like to keep him onboard for the Canadian races. Defending Canadian champ JeanSebastien Roy will of course defend his title, but he'll also hit the U.S. races that don't conflict. Chile's Jeremias Israel has committed to Blackfoot for the Canadian series. Asterisk honcho Davey Castillo. who still hits the occasional supercross round. qualified for the night program in Utah. though he didn't make the main event. Because track workers needed extra time to repair the track after the heats, there was no KTM Junior Supercross Challenge in Salt Lake, although Moto XXX freestyler MMad w Mike Jones (pictured> put on a jumping exhibition to keep the fans entertained. Despite the muddy conditions and the supercross-oriented jumps, Jones, who will be coming out with a video called Mad Mike's Mayhem in October, managed to pull off an impressive Hart Attack. Upcoming Round: Final Round - Las Vegas. Nevada, May 4 Though Mike Craig couldn't comment on the record as to many of the details, look for big things from the ECC team (which he manages) next year. The team plans to attract four very good 125cc riders - two in the east and two in the west • via an unconventional, incentive-based means. Stay tuned. KTM Red Bull manager Ron Heben said that Grant Langston is recovering well from the recenl arthroscopic surgery to his knee's cartilage and meniscus, and that he is currently training on a bicycle. Heben expects Langston to race at the Glen Helen seriesopening National MX. Speaking of Langston. he is a fairly hot commodity now that his contract will expire at season's end. Heben said he would very much like to retain the South African, switching him over to the new KTM 250 for next year. 'He really likes it, and he's as fast on it as guys who are already on 250s.· Heben said. The team plans to field two 250cc riders and four 125cc racers in 2003. KTM Red Bull's Brock Sellards sal out the Utah round with a sinus infection that also affected his equilibrium in Dallas. Since he wasn't in the title hunt, the team decided to sit Sellards rather than risk worsening the sickness with air travel and rainy weather. Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Journeys/Competition Accessories manager JC Waterhouse said that Mike LaRocco, who is recovering from a broken wrist, was scheduled to get back on a bike on race day and begin practicing for the Glen Helen National opener. Waterhouse said laRocco has good strength and movement in his hand, and that he should be about 100 percent in three to four weeks. SoBe Suzuki manager Roger DeCoster said that Kevin Windham saw a doctor on the Thursday before race day, and that the recovery from his broken femur is going well enough that he received the go-ahead to start riding hard on Friday. -He's got good flexibility and strength, and he's been trail-riding on a DRDeCoster said.• Now it's up to him_ He won't be 1oo-percent for Glen Helen, but he'lI probably be there.- Z: As for Windham's teammate Travis Pastrana, DeCosler recently visited him at his Maryland house to check up on him personally, and Pastrana was still bedridden as he recovers from having his tonsils removed - a surgery that DeCoster said was more serious than nonnal. 'He can't train or do anything right now,DeCoster said. 'Next weekend will be his first time on a bike, but he'll be back for Glen Helen if nothing unforeseen happens.' &th Ricky Cannichael and Travis Preston had championship T-shirt. printed up before the event, and Vuillemin showed that he's a good sport by asking Fox's Scott Taylor for a Cannichael shirt just moments after losing the title. Incidentally, Fox had also played it safe by printing up Bubba Stewart title T-shirts, just in case. Kelly Smith. who Going into the final round, Moto XXX/DGY rider Nick Wey is leading the battle for top priva_r honors: which is worth a U.S. Smokeless Tobacco-provided $25.000 bonus (plus $15,000 for second and $10.000 for third). Coming into Utah. Blackfoot Honda's Heath Voss was only four points back, but following his 12 MAY 8, 2002· c u e I • n __ • raced the supercross circuit for Moto XXX, will not be on the team for the outdoor Nationals. Smith would have had to make the top five in the 125cc East Region in order to retain his support. For the outdoors, Moto XXX will field Larry Ward. Kyle Lewis and Nick Wey. Some expected Chad Reed to contest the 250cc class in Utah, but the new t 25cc East champ opted to sit out the race. 'It just didn't really fit in with my plan. - the Australian said. -Sure, I want to ride. and it's fun to ride with those guys. but there's plenty of time to do that. •

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