Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

@® Josh Hansen ®1] Josh Woods ®@ Chris Gosselaar Boost Mobile/Yamaha/Troy Racing's youngster Hansen had another off night. "I just crashed in the main event and got 13th: said Hansen, who went down in one of the righthanders on lap four. "We're getting consistent 13ths. I don't know, hopefully it will be a little bit better next week." One step away: Andrew Short topped his career-best third place at Anaheim I with a second at Anaheim II. There's only one place left to achieve. The KTM Red Bull rider ran fourth early, only to have some trouble with his goggles, and he was forced to disc.ard them. Struggling to maintain his concentration as the race neared completion, he allowed Chris Gosselaar to ace him out of fourth place. "I'm improving every week, I think, but I had some trouble there at the beginning - another horrible start tonight: Woods said. "It's just something I need to work on. Last week I had good starts, and this week it was completely the opposite, and it's hard to move up. All in all, I'm happy. It was a big improvement, and we're just going to keep getting better and better every week." "Sorby was pulling some pretty impressive moves out there: said the Amsoil/Chaparralbacked Gosselaar, who took advantage of the action to move into fourth place. "He was all over the track, and it worked out for me. I just got a bad start, and I had to work hard to make up for it. I'm good in the heat races, but... I just had a bad pick to the gate. I just need to concentrate more to get a good start in the main event. I think if I can do that, then I will be up front the whole time." ing gate following the race. Ultimately, cooler heads prevailed. Later, Sorby denied any wrongdoing in the matter. "Yeah, I am aggressive, but the race is the race, and I am not here for the dancing," Sorby said. "I am here to ride on front. And last week, Preston block-passed [Matt] Walker, and Walker crashed." Sorby denied that his moves were any kind of retaliation on Walker's behalf, and he also disagreed with the suggestion that he had let Preston by just to take one more shot at the champion. "No ... I can't explain everything," Sorby said. "Somebody [allegedly it was Preston's mechanic] hassled me very badly afterwards, but I don't care. " Preston had his own opinion of Sorby's actions. Everybody else got by him all night long, but why me? Was it the way I'm riding? I don't know what 'the guy was thinking. I had a problem with him at Bercy, too. J don't know if the kid has something against me, or what." In the race, Preston went on to finish sixth, over 45 seconds behind winner Stewart, the latter appearing Tyler Evans to be calm, cool and collected en route to the win. Apparently, though, appearances were deceiving. "You don't understand," Stewart said. "For 15 laps, I was about pooping my pants out there because I was Jeremy Ch~U5see (Yam); 1 J. Jesse Casillas Jr. (Yam); 12. Benjllmin Coisy (KTM); 13. logan Darien (Yam); 14. Michael Koch (Yl!lm); 15. Josh Bagge (Yam); 16. J. M8rtin Glircill (Suz); 17. Chad SlInner (Kaw); 18. Chris BllIrrett (Han); 19. Adem Cini (Yam); 20. Craig Anderson (YlJm); 21. Tommy H!2rrison (Suz); 22. Tyson TllIytor (Hon). Time: 4 min., 0] .664 sec. Margin of Victory: 9.907 sec. MAIN EVENT (15 laps; 22 riders): I. James Stewlllrt Jr. (Kaw); 2. Andrew Short (Suz); 3. Billy uminovich (KTM); 4. Chris Gossellll!2r (Han); 5. Josh Woods (KTM); 6. Trlllvis Preston (Han); 7. Danny Smith (Suz); 8. Matt WlIlker (Kaw); 9. Eric Sorby (Kaw): ]0. Tiger Lacey (Yam); 11. Troy Adams (Yam); 12. Sean HllImblin (Suz); 13. Josh Hansen (Yam); 14. Trlllvis Elliott (Yam); 15. Akirlll Narita (Suz): 16. Bryan McGavran (Suz); 17. Tyler Evens (Suz): 18. Pascllli Leuret (KTM); 19. Shlllne Bess (Suz); 20. Tim Weigand (Han); 2]. Scott Davis (Yam); 22. Steve Mertens (Yam). Time: 14 min., 47.720 sec. Margin of Victory: 25.] 26 sec. AMA 125cc WESTERN REGIONAL SOPERCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 3 of 8 rounds): I. James Stewart Jr. (72/1 win); 2. Travis Preston (62/1 win); 3. Andrew Short (54); 4. Danny Smith (50); 5. Billy Laninovich (46); 6. Christopher Gosselaar (45); 7. Matt Walker (34); 8. (TIE) Sean Hamblin (27)/Kevin Johnson (27)/Craig Anderson (27)/Eric Sorby (27); J 2. Joshua Hansen (25); 13. Tiger lacey (24); 14. Josh Woods (18); 15. (TIE) David Pingree (17)/Travis Elliott (17); 17. (TIE) Steve Mertens (13)/Turbo Reif (13)/Akire Nerita (13); 20. Shane Bess (12). almost landed on me off the step at first. I just want to thank Ron Heben and all the people at KTM, and thank the Lord for keeping me safe." eN Edison Internationel Field Anehelm, Celifornie Results: Jenuery 18, 2003 IRound 3 of 81 so nervous. You know, there were a couple races last year where I lost focus out there and slid out, but tonight was my night." Likewise, Short had a great night, topping his previous career-best finish, which was a third place at Anaheim I. "That just proves to you why I hate French people, and why all the French riders should stay home," Pre- "Anaheim has been good to me," Short said. "Tonight was a weird race for me. I got out front, and I didn't ston said. "He [Sorby] crossed the think that I was going all that fast, but line tonight. You know, I'll go ahead [and! take that first one, where I went down, because maybe I should have I stayed in second, and that helps my confidence. Hopefully, next time I can be more consistent. I was kind of protected my corner better or what- inconsistent tonight." ever. But the dude's going backwards, and I come up to him again ... I barely got over the finish Uump]. That Laninovich was also pleased with his third-place finish. was the part that really got me mad. ®~ The ECC Suzuki-backed Evans earns the dubious distinction of being fader of the week. After a brilliant start, he simply went backward for the rest of the main event, eventually falling to 17th. It's something that has his team dumbfounded. "The last couple years with Tyler, it seems like he has had the same kind of problem, and it's mental: ECC team manager Mike Craig said. "During the week, he trains all week, and he's fit and can do 15 laps. Then I think he comes out here, and I think the pace might be a little strong, and he begins to fade. In the heat races, he goes out there and fights, but in the main event, he doesn't." "I got off to a really good start," he said. "[ was on the outside, but James HEAT 1 (6 laps, 1·9 transfer): 1. Trlllvis Preston (Hon); 2. Tyler Evans (Suz); 3. Danny Smith (Suz); 4. Eric Sorby (Kaw); 5. Shane Bess (Suz); 6. Sean HlImblin (Suz); 7. Steve Mertens (Yam); 8. PllIscllll Leuret (KTM); 9. Scott Davis (Yam); 10. Craig Anderson (Yern); 11. Troy Adams (Yern); 12. Kuraudo Tode (Hon); 13. Tiger Lacey (Yem): 14. Michael Koch (YllIm); 15. Rytm Abrigo (Suz); 16. J. Martin Garda (Suz); 17. Edgllrdo Rojllls (YllIm); 18. Jeremy Chllussee (Yam); 19. Tommy Harrison (Suz); 20. Chris Barrett (Hon). Time; 6 min.. 13.695 sec. Margin of Victory: 6.6 I 8 sec. HEAT 2 (6 laps, 1-9 transfer): 1. James Stewart Jr. (K.w); 2. Joshua Woods (KTM); 3. Andrew Short (Suz); 4. Mllitt Walker (Kaw); 5. Christopher Gosselllar (Hon); 6. Bryan McGavran (Suz); 7. Travis Elliott (Yam); 8. Joshua Hansen (Yam); 9. Tim Weigand (Han): 10. Akira Narita (Suz); 11. BenJ8min (olsy (KTM); 12. Michael Sleeter (Yam); 13. Adam Cini (Yam); 14. Jesse CllISiltlllS Jr. (YllIm); 15. Josh Bagge (Yam); 16. Ch8d Sanner (Kaw); 17. Logan Darien (YlIm): 18. Billy Laninovich (KTM); 19. Turbo Reif (Yllm); 20. Tyson Ttlylor (Hon). Time: 5 min., 53.281 sec. Margin of Victory: 11.718 sec. LCQ (4 laps, 1-4 transfer): I. Billy Leninovfch (KTM); 2. Tiger Locey (Yam); 3. Troy Adams (Yllm); 4. Akira NllIritlll (Suz); 5. Turbo Reif (YllIm); 6. Kuraudo Toda (Hon); 7. Michael Sleeter (YlIm): 8. Edgardo Rojas (Yllm); 9. Ryan Abrigo (Suz); 10. Upcoming Rounds: Round 4 - San Francisco, Camomia, January 25 Round 5 - Anaheim, Califomia, February 1 It starts: Sorby (917) took out Travis Preston (1) early in the main. When Preston cau9ht him again, Sorby looked to go out of his way to slow up the Honda speedster. Preston finished sixth, Sorby ninth. eye. e n e _ so • JANUARY 29,2003 13

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