Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128204
AMA 1 25cc Eastern Regional Supercross Series Round 3: RCA Dome BY DAVE DERINGER PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN INDIANAPOUS, IN, MAR. 1 ombell, Pennsylvania's Branden Jesseman is on a roll. He has now won his second 125cc Supercross of the year, his third of his career - and his third out the last four he's raced (including the Pontiac finale last year). Jesseman is in control of the 125cc Eastern region and seems like he only has to survive the final four F races to win his first-ever professional championship. Team SoBe Suzuki-sponsored Jesseman started out the night strong with a heat-race win that was more than four seconds faster than Brock Sellards'. Jesseman got the first pick on the gate for the final, but he did not get the greatest of starts. He shoved his way up to fourth by the fourth lap and slowly reeled in the leaders. Once he got to leader Sellards, the two battled for a short time before Sellards fell victim to a block pass coming out of the tunnel and into the whoops. Once in control, Jesseman put some distance on the pack and crossed the finish some eight seconds ahead of Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Mike Brown. He now has an eight-point lead over Brown (70-62) going into the Daytona classic next weekend. "It feels good to be here again, and I can't say enough for our team and bikes," Jesseman said. "I had a slow reaction off the gate and just tried to stay calm in the first few laps. I saw Brock way ahead of me and worked forward and let those guys just make some mistakes, and I just relaxed out there and rode my own race. I saw Ricky [Carmichael] make that move on some guys coming out of the tunnel, and I remembered that and used it, too. This win is definitely my most prestigious because I had to come from behind for it." Brown finished second for the sec- (Above) Branden Jesseman (26) came through the field to win his second 125cc main of the ,ear. He leads the points b, eight going into Daytona. (Left) Mike Brown rode strong for his second runner-up finish In as man, weeks. He's also second in points now. ond week in a row, and after a fourth at the opener two weeks earlier, Brown holds second in the points and is in a good position. A midpack start saw the Tennessee native and new father work his way through the pack, and with the help a few crashes, Brown stood on the podium for the second race in a row. He had a miserable summer last year with injuries, so any success probably means a lot right now. "I had a big crash on Friday and was bruised up but felt good today in practice and the race," said Brown after the event. "I need to get up on the top there to get some more 12 MARCH 12,2003' c u e I • nBVVS