Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMAIChevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship Series Round 8: Unadilla Valley Sports Center Mind Games: Perhaps to quiet his critics and demoralize Chad Reed (103), Stewart (259) apparently slowed Intentionally to let Reed pass him for the lead. Stewart then passed Reed right back and pulled away, which, according to Reed "...just makes me more motivated to beat him." "Sorby snuck under me," Reed said of the Pro Circuit/Kawasaki/ Chevy Trucks rider. "It took a little while to pass him, and then by the time I got around, Stewart was like 10 seconds ahead. I had no way of catching him, simple as that." As Stewart led the race, it was the battle of the internationals behind, with Reed, Sorby, Costa Rican Ernesto Fonseca, Pennsylvanian Jesseman and Aussie Michael Byrne fighting for the top five positions. The action mid-pack made up for what was becoming a lonely race for Floridian Stewart. "I felt really good," Stewart said. "This track is pretty cool. I was really just doing what I enjoy and having some fun out there." Reed's experience was less enjoyable. "I've been watching videos of this track so many times, and on videos, it looks really trick," Reed said. "This place is much more difficult that it looks on my TV, that's for sure. It was really slippery; I was having trouble getting grip and was riding terribly." Veteran Larry Ward concurred, saying, "You see pictures of this place, and videos, and figure it's a really beautiful circuit to ride. This place is so difficult, it really kills you slippery, rough, and you name it, this place has it. It's one of the toughest tracks of the year." While Stewart allowed Reed to close in, Blimpie Suzuki's Jesseman was also advancing in third. "I was making ground on Chad early in the race," Jesseman said. "I really picked up the pace and figured I could get him; then he just got away from me." The last few laps saw Stewart do his slow-motion routine, letting Reed and Jesseman think they had some chance, then turning it up a notch to win easily. The second moto was another story. This time it was Jesseman's turn to add some spice to the day's action. 14 JULv31. 2002' cue. e For lap after lap, Jesseman gave Stewart something to think about, pushing him for the complete race. "I was okay," Stewart said. "Branden rode great - I couldn't get away from him. I'm just happy to get ]-] and make up some points for the championship. " Just when it looked like Jesseman might repay Stewart for disrespecting the competition, Stewart turned it up a notch and moved to a two-second lead. "I had his measure early," Jesseman said. "I did my best to pass him, but he would come straight back with a good lap. That made it difficult to get him." Matt Walker's ride to third place was a brilliant effort. The Pro Circuit/Kawasaki/Chevy Trucks rider even closed in on Stewart and Jesseman at one stage, although he never got close enough to give a serious challenge. CN Unadilla Valley Sports Center New Bertin, Naw York Results: July 21, 2002 125 M.OTO 1: 1. James Stewart Jr. (Kew); 2. Chad Reed (Yem); 3, Branden Jesseman (Suz); 4. Matt WlIlker (Kew); 5. Ernesto Fonseca (Han); 6. Danny Smith (Suz): 7. Michllel Byrne (Han); 8. Eric Sorby (Kaw): 9. Ben Townley (KTM): 10. Travis Preston (Han); 11. Josh Demuth (YlIm); 12, Larry Ward (Yllm); 13. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 14. Justin Buckelew (Suz); 15. Damon Huffman (Suz); 16. Chris Gosseillar (Han); 17. Andrew Short. (Suz); 18. Pliul Currie (Suz); 19. David Pingree (Hon); 20. Jeff Northrop (KllW); 21. Trllvis Elliott (Han); 22. Troy Adams (Yam): 23. Brock Sellards (KTM): 24. Barry Carsten (Suz); 25. Jeff Gibson (Yam); 26. Steve Mertens (Hus); 27. Shae Bentley (Kaw); 28. Josh Woods (Suz); 29. Randy Valade (Suz); 30. Austin Squires (Suz); 31. Paul Verackll (Hus); 32. Levi Reid (Yam): 33. Tom Welch (Yam): 34. Ryan Tuerck (YlIm): 35. Aaron Day (Yam): 36. Chris Wisniewski (Yam); 37. Clissidy Anderson (Yam); 38. Rodrig Thllin (Yam): 39. Casey Johnson (Han): 40. Kevin Johnson (Yam). Tlme: 36 min., 42.530 sees. 125 MOTO 2 (30 minutes. plus 2 laps): 1. Stewart; 2. Jessernan; 3. Wlliker; 4. Reed; 5. Smith; 6. Fonseca; 7. Antunez: 8. Byrne; 9. Preston; 10. Pingree; 11. Huffman; 12. Short; 13. Townley; 14. C. Johnson; 15. Gosselllllr; 16. Currie; 17. Sellards; 18. Buckelew; 19. Mertens; 20. Gibson: 21. Clirsten; 22. Valade; 23. SqUires; 24. Sorby; 25. Thain; 26. Day; 27. Wisniewski; 28. Tuerck; 29. Anderson: 30. Welch; 31. Northrop; 32. Ward: 33. K. Johnson: 34. Elliott; 35. Verllckll; 36. Adams; 37. Bentley: 38. Reid: 39. Woods: 40. Demuth. Time: 35 min., 18.270 sees. 125 a/A: 1. Stewart; 2. Jessemlln; 3. Reed; 4. Walker; 5. Smith; 6. Fonseca; 7. Byrne; 8. Preston; 9. Antunez; 10. Townley; 11. Huffman; 12. Pingree; 13. Short; 14. Sorby; 15. Gosselaar; 16. Buckelew; 17. Demuth; 18. Ward; 19. Currie; 20. C. Johnson; 21. Sellards; 22. Mertens; 23. Gibson; 24. Northrop; 25. Carsten; 26. Valade; 27. Squires; 28. Thain: 29. Day: n __ S my Own Race: 125cc 'l7®® Ben Townley The New Zealand teenager ended up with g- 13 finishes after two terrible starts. In fact, the KTM rider couldn't get a start all weekend, as he also gated poorly in his qualification heats. "I don't know what it is," Townley said. "I just couldn't get a trick. I crashed in the first moto, although I was mid-pack anyway and figured I would be chasing my tail for the rest of the moto. I'm happy with my speed and made up a lot of ground on the riders who were in front. I'll just take this as an experience." '1J @ Larry Ward ®® Matt Walker ~@ Travis Preston This Moto XXX/DGY veteran finished the first moto in 12th place, then DNFed the second moto when he KOed himself while in fourth. "This track is really tough," Ward said. "I got a terrible start in the opening moto and just passed guys one by one. It was slippery, and I wasn't getting the best grip with the four-stroke. It was a tough day for me." With a podium finish in the second moto, this Pro Circuit/Kawasaki/Chevy Trucks rider was just glad to be at Unadilla. In the first moto, Walker held 13th piace on the first lap, but he fought past Emesto Fonseca, Michael Byrne, Eric Sorby and several others to get to fourth place. "I'm pretty happy with the results, especially that third place," Walker said. "It was tough out there today - a lot of guys on the pace, which made for good racing." The Westem Regional 125cc Supercross Champion finished with 10-9 results and worked hard for his positions. Having started the first race outside the top 20, and also struggling early in the second moto with a 13th-place lap-one shOWing, the Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Journeys Honda rider overtook many riders on a track where passing was difficult. 30. Wisniewski; 31. Tuerck; 32. Anderson; 33. Welch; 34. K. Johnson; 35. Elliott; 36. Veracka; 37. Adams; 38. Bentley; 39. Reid: 40. Woods. AMA/CHEVY TRaCKS 125cc a.s. MOTOCROSS C'CHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 6 of 12 rounds): I. JlImes ~tewllrt Jr. (337/6 wins); 2. Chad Reed (272/1 win); 3. Brenden Jessemlln (254); 4. Emesto Fonsecll (242); 5. Denny Smith (227); 6, Matt Walker (165): 7. Buddy Antunez (175): 8. Damon Huffman (133): 9. Travis Preston (126): 10. Eric Sorby (120): 11. Lorry Ward (117): 12. Brock Sellards (109): 13. Josh Demuth (98): 14. Michael Byrne (97); 15. Mike Brown (89); 16. Grllnt LelOgston (77): 17. Ivan Tedesco (73): 18. Paul Currie (68): 19. Gre9 Schnell (63): 20. (TIE) Casey Johnson/Bobby Bonds (61); 22. DlIvid Pingree (60); 23. Justin Buckelew (58); 24. Chris Gosselllllr (57): 25. Ben Townley (48): 26. Kelly Smith (44): 27. Andrew Short (43); 28. Travis Elliott (39); 29. Steve Bonifllce (36): 30. Josh Woods (34): 31. Rodrig Thain (33): 32. (TIE)Jeff Glbson!Troy Adams (17): 34. Scott Sheak (13): 35. Mike Treadwell (10): 36. (TIE) Chris Wheeler!Tyson Hadsell (7): 38. Randy Valade (6): 39. Casey Lytle (5): 40. Mike Corder (4): 41. Jeff Northrop (3): 42. (TIE) Steve Mertens/Tom Welch/Tony Lorusso/Johnny Marley/Michael Brandes (2): 47. Brandon Morgan (I). Upcoming Rounds: Round 9 - Washougal, Washington, July 28 Round 10 - Millville, Minnesota, August 18 The American Motocross des Nations team of Ricky Carmichael, Tim Ferry and Mike LaRocco finished 1-2·3 in the first 250cc moto, giVing the AMA good reason to be happy with its selection. While the event is still some time off, all three riders are looking forward to the event. "I'm always grateful to ride for my country," Carmichael said." You know, I would never say no to the des Nations. I would've liked to have some work done on my knee after the Nationals was over; I guess I'll just have to wait a couple of weeks extra." Tim Ferry said he couldn't wait to make his debut for Team USA. "Sure, it's an honor," the Team Yamaha rider said. "I've worked hard for this and won't let the team down. Look at today's results, and you can see we pretty much are the fastest three riders in the 250cc class. I'm not going to let this chance slip." There are many changes, such as the move to a one-moto format, but although laRocco isn't too sure what to expect, he does know one thing: "We will go there to win," saJd the Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Journeys Honda rider. "It doesn't matter who we're up against - we want to win like everyone else. I'm not even sure who we will race against. With the new format and everything, it will be fun, though. The des Nations is a really exciting event to race, and I want to win it as much as anyone." There were midweek rumors that the event would be moved from Competition Park in San Jacinto, California, to Budds Creek in Maryland, but it now looks as though the west coast venue is still on. "There are so many rumors going around about the track and stuff," Carmichael said. "I heard it's going ahead at Budds Creek, and then it's not. I just hope it is a good event and we can win it for the country."

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