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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128183
~I Pianeta Supercross SPA Parsis Stadium Travis .....ston rode well In his European 250cc debut. His 3·1 finishes on the two nights were good enough for the overall victory. STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEOFF MEYER PESARO, ITALY, NOV. 16·17 wenty-foUr-year-old Travis Preston, who was making his second European appearance in two weeks after having raced the Bercy Supercross the previous weekend, put himself in the right spot to win the Pianeta Supercross in Italy. After seven-time AMA Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath opened the weekend's rac· ing with a win Saturday night, things didn't seem too promising for the Amsoil-backed Honda rider, who finished second. But when McGrath, who was making his debut on the Bud Light KTM, crashed out on Sunday afternoon and took a trip to the hospital, the door swung open for the Western Regional 125cc Supercross Champion. Preston followed up his Saturday night third with a Sunday win to take overall honors in Italy. The weekend opened up perfectly for McGrath, who took wins in his heat races before taking his third win of the night in the main event. The T 20 DECEMBER 4, 2002' cue win by McGrath showed the world that the rider known as Supermac is ready for the 2003 season, and that his transition to the Austrian KTM brand seems to be going smoothly. "I feel good," McGrath said. "The bike is working great, and the team is really pulling together for 2003; we're excited about tomorrow." McGrath won the opening moto of the weekend Saturday night after taking a seemingly easy win. Finishing in second place was Preston, who passed Honda-mounted Damon Huffman midrace. Preston, however, could not catch McGrath. In the second moto, McGrath again had a good lead, be he eventually ran into Italian rider Michele Monti. Although McGrath did not fall, the collision stalled the KTM rider just enough to let Preston get by and take the win. In the main event, however, McGrath quickly set the pace, winning by seven seconds over Huffman and Preston, with the two crossing the finish line a bikelength apart. While McGrath could smile with his performance, this was not the case for World Cup of Motocross hero Kyle Lewis, as the 32-year-old veteran missed the opportunity to take the overall on Sunday afternoon when he didn't score any points in the main event. Some riders who did show good form, however, included Huff- man, the former World Supercross Champion capturing the imagination of the crowd with his solid secondplace finish, while local favorite Alessio Chiodi finished fourth in the main, followed by American veteran Suzuki-mounted Steve Lamson and Serge GUidetty from France. The second night again started off well for McGrath, who won the first moto of the afternoon. In the second qualification race, though, McGrath held fifth place early. By midrace, McGrath pulled up on the back wheel of Lewis. As the two jumped a section of the course, Lewis moved across the track and their bikes made contact, with McGrath going down hard. Lewis went on to win the heat race, while McGrath was taken to hospital after being knocked out for a short time. Preston ended up winning the main event, while Lewis followed him across the finish line, then Huffman, Lamson and Chiodi. With Sunday's victory, Preston also claimed the overall win for the weekend. Hoping to make a state· ment in Europe over the winter, the Californian was applauded loudly by the Italian race fans. "It's nice to win in Italy," Preston said. "I wanted to come to Europe and make some new fans. Hopefully this has earned me some extra supporters. I've enjoyed both Bercy and Italy - it's been fun." McGrath was later released from the hospital in good condition. CII BPA Paws Stadi... PeSllnl, Italy Resulls: November 1&-17, 2002 Saturday 250 MAIN: I. Jeremy McGroth (KTM): 2. Oomon Huffml'n (Hon); 3. Trovis Preston (Hon); 4. Alessio Chiodi (Yom); 5. Steve Lamson (Suz); 6. Serge GUidetty (Yom). Sunday 250 MAIN: 1. Trllvis Preston (Hon); 2. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 3. Doman Huffman (Hon); 4. Steve Lamson (Suz); 5. Alessio Chiodl (Yem); 6. Michele Monti (Hon). 250 O/A: l. Trllvis Preston (USA); 2. DlImon Huffman (USA): 3. Steve l.llmson (USA); 4. Alessio Chiodl (Italy): 5. Michele Monti (Itoly); 6. Peter Bortos (Czech Rep): 7. Jeremy McGroth (USA); 8. Kyle Lewis (USA); 9. Serge Guidelty (Frzlnce) 10. Pierrick PllIget (France) 125 O/A: 1. Poscol Leurel (KTM); 2. Oovide Oegli Esposti (Suz); 3. Luco Cherubini (Yom) 4. Molleo Zochin (Hon): 5. Bader Monneh (KTM). Steve Lamson made his ECC Suzultl debut in Italy. The veteran finished a strong third overall.