Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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THQ U.S. Open THQ U.S. Open &roc Hepler flat dominated the 125cc Manufacturer's Cup, winning all four motos. Bv MIKE RVER PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN LAS VEGAS, NV, OCT 11·12 Hepler was on a mission to l.Q) make the Engine Ice 125cc Manufacturer's Cup his own. The American Suzuki/Works Connection rider rode each moto with one thing on his mind - winning. He would not be satisfied with the overall; he wanted to prove that he could be on top in all four motos, and he was. In moto one, Hepler, one of the few true Intermediates in the field, took the turn-one holeshot, with Ryan Sipes, Cody Dickey, Bryan Johnson Jr. and Ryan Mills giving chase. North County Yamaha's Jesse Casillas was caught up in a first-tum pileup with Kyle Partridge, Shawn Clark and Teddy Maier. Amsoil/Doc Martens Honda's Mills moved into the runner-up position before the halfway point, while Casillas found himself on the ground a second time. Sean Collier struggled with his starts over the weekend, but his strong riding enabled him to come through the pack in moto one to pick up a thirdplace finish. Nick Adams also had start issues but, like Collier, wasted no time in cutting through the field. He reeled in Collier but could only manage fourth, ahead of Johnson. Sipes slipped back to sixth at moto's end, while feeling the effects of a previous shoulder injury. Johnson led the field into turn one and emerged with the holeshot, with Hepler right on his rear fender. Partridge managed to keep his bike upright for a third-plac~ start, with Mills and Dickey in pursuit. "The motos are real short here," Adams said. "You got to get out front fast or else you get stuck behind everybody, and then the leader pulls away and there is not enough time to reel them in." That sums up Adams' motos. Other riders, such as Casillas, Collier and Partridge, did not fare as well as they had hoped, either. Johnson slid out with Sipes on his rear fender, causing both of them to faU. Hepler, Mills, CasiUas, Collier and Dickey got around as Johnson and Sipes remounted their machines, and Adams did nothing to help his effort with a spiU right before the finish· line jump. Hepler opened up his lead to six seconds while Mills continued to give chase. Casillas and Collier battled until lap 10, when Collier found his way around. Casillas ended up fourth, ahead of Teddy Maeir. 'fP2 roc 22 OCTOBER 23. 2002' I: U I: when Casillas lost his footing after trying to dive underneath Partridge for third. Mills made his way into the runner-up spot, behind Hepler, who had once again placed himself out front. Hepler took the last win, and the overall, while Mills, who went 2-2-22, finished second, and Adams was third overall. Clark and Casillas rounded out the top five with just four points between them. eN MGM G.-nd Gard•• Anna las V•••s, Nevd. Resuhs: October 11-12,2002 Friday MOTel: t. Broc Hepler (Suz); 2. Ryen Mills (Hon): 3. Seon Collier (Hon); 4. Nick Adoms (Vam): 5. Bryon Johnson Jr. (Suz): 6. Ryan Sipes (Kaw); 7. Cody Dickey (KTM); 8. Kyle Partridge (Suz); 9. Jesse Cllsillas (Yam); 10. Drew Kain (KTM); 11. Shewn Clari< (Kow); 12. Teddy Mo;er (Kow). MOTQ 2: 1. Hepler; 2. Mills; 3. Collier; 4. Casillas; 5. Meier. 6. Clllrk; 7. Dickey; 8. Partridge; 9. Kein; 10. Sipes: 11. Adams; 12. Johnson. Saturday Hepler got out in front early again in moto three, while Adams improved upon his previous starts with a second-place effort. Mills, Maier and Collier rounded out the top five. The only position change up front occurred when Mills made his way around Adams. Maier held on to fourth, with Sipes at his back door. Maier found some additional speed in the last moto, as he sprung out of the gate and into first, with Johnson, Hepler, Shawn Clark and Mills in hot pursuit. Mills was gaining on Johnson !Above) Jesse Casillas didn't save It. He recovered for fourth overall, though. (RIght) Ryan Mills chased Hepler unsuccessfully In every moto, but he was stili noticeably quicker thIIn the rest of the fteld on his way to 2-2-2-2 scores and second overall. MOTO 3: 1. Hepler; 2. Mills; 3. Adem!: 4. ~ier; 5. Sipes; 6. Cosllle!; 7. Clark: 8. Partridge; 9. Collier: 10. KlIin; 11. Johnson. M.OTO 4: 1. Hepler; 2. Mills; 3. Johnson; 4. Clark; 5. Casilllls; 6. Adams; 7. PlIrtridge; 8. MtJier; 9. Kain; 10. Sipes; 11. Collier. O/A: 1. 1. Broe Hepler (Suz); 2. Rylln Mills (Hon); 3. Nick Adams (Yam); 4. Jesse Casillas (Yam); 5. Shawn Clark (Kow); 6. Teddy Moier (Kow); 7. Bryon Johnson Jr. (Suz); 8. Kyle Portridge (Suz); 9. Ryon Sipes (Kaw); 10. Seon Collier (Hon); 11. Drew Koin (KTM); 12. Cody Dickey (KTM).