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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128165
AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross C;:harnpionship Series Round S: Unadilla Valley ports Center Branden Jesseman (28) gave James Stewart Jr. (259) something to think about in the second 125cc moto, but, in the end, it was again the Kawasaki rider, Stewart, who came away with a 1-1 sweep. Jesseman went 3-2 for second overall. STEWART RUBS IT IN AT UNADILLA. The rookie's move was bold and By GEOFF MEYER PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN effective, although it did arguably show a lack of respect for the compe- NEW BERUN, NY, JOL. 21 '.a J ith an incredible rookie season nearing completion, and a • 125cc outdoor crown nearly assured, it would seem that James Stewart Jr. has nothing to prove, but judging by what went down in the first 125cc moto at the historic Unadilla circuit, that may not be the case. As has become the norm of late, the 16year-old raced to 1-1 results around the undulating Unadilla circuit, but it was the way that the Chevy Trucks Kawasaki rider picked up that first win that had his rivals grumbling. In that opening moto, Stewart gated beautifully, and after having rival Chad Reed on his back wheel in turn one, just cleared away. But, with a huge lead in-hand by mid-race, Stewart did something completely unexpected - he began to slow. Reed's Boost Mobile/Yamaha/Troy Racing YZ250F began to reel Stewart in, and - with the crowd on its feet in anticipation of a great dice - the Aussie even moved by momentarily. But Stewart then looked over at Reed, got back around him for the lead, and pulled away to win by more than three seconds. tition. When questioned about it, Stewart at first preferred not to comment, though when pressed on the issue, he did come clean - kind of. "I was just having some fun out there," Stewart said. "So many peo- Stewart (259) gets the early jump on the 125cc pack. 12 JULv31, 2002' co U co I e n e _ os pie have been saying that if Chad got a good start, he could race with me. I still felt I had something to prove. I don't want to comment on if I slowed down on purpose." Stewart was heard telling his mechanic Joel Albrecht and father James Sr. that he had in fact slowed to let Reed catch up. Albrecht told him he was crazy, while the elder Stewart told rum not to do the same thing in moto two. As for Reed, he had a good idea what was going on and was not at all impressed. "I'm a little pissed," Reed said. "It just makes me even more motivated to beat him. I wasn't sure what was going on at first; 1 just rode my own race and continued to do so after I caught him. 1 did have some problems, although that's not the reason I got beaten. It's not an excuse." Unfortunately for Reed, hitting turn one of the second moto in 15th place denied him the opportunity to battle with Stewart again on this warm day in New York State. While Stewart's moto-one performance gave him a seemingly unnecessary confidence boost, his second outing was much tougher. Branden Jesseman hit turn one on the back wheel of Stewart and never gave the series leader a chance to move away. "I could race with him and was not going to back off," Jesseman said. "I was so close, and my rhythm was okay. I enjoyed that second moto, and I think I proved I can beat James this year." The opening moto had looked like a potential barn-burner, with Stewart and Reed starting out front together, but it quickly became clear that any drama would have to be manufactured. Reed lost a place to French rider Eric Sorby and was having trouble of his own.