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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AMA 1 25cc Eastern Regional Supercross Series Round 5: Edward .Jones Dome Jesseman ended the first lap ninth and passed riders at an incredible rate. On lap two he was up to sixth. He then passed Brown and Smith when they went down in a corner together and was in third by lap three. It took a lap for him to get by Red Bull KTM's Brett Metcalfe, then it took another three laps to catch up to Metcalfe's teammate Steve Boniface, who had built up a solid lead. From lap eight on, Jesseman was never headed, and he proceeded to pull away from Boniface to eventually win by some 10 seconds, marking the fourth win of his career. "I just can't thank Suzuki enough," Jesseman said. "Everyone puts so much into these races, and it paid off tonight. Everyone is riding good, and the field is packed. I came away with another win and want to keep the ball rolling in the last two rounds. I would like to dedicate this win to all the men and women fighting over in Iraq." (Left) Branden Jesseman made short work of the 125cc class, winning his third race in five run so far. He leads Mike Brown in the points by 10 with two rounds to go. (Below) Steve Boniface had easily his best ride of the year, grabbing the holeshot and hanging on for second. Scoring a strong second in the main was Boniface. The Frenchman grabbed the $1000 SXGP.com Holeshot Award. He then led for seven laps before being overtaken by Jesseman and held on despite the pressure of Brown at the end. It was Boniface's first podium of the season, and he moves into eighth in the points standings with his strong ride. It was also good for a Red Bull KTM team that has seen its share of troubles this year. "I'm so happy with this podium and so happy for everybody on our team," Boniface commented from the podium. "Around lap 10, I started to make some mistakes, but I say to myself, 'No, I can't give up now.''' Third in the final was Brown. After winning his heat race earlier in the night that was over five seconds faster than that of Jesseman, the Pro Circuit Kawasaki-sponsored rider from Tennessee gated well in the final and looked to score another win, as Jesseman started well back in the pack. First, Brown bumped Boost Mobile/Yamaha/Troy Racing's Brock Sellards. who went down in a heap on the opening lap, then he got together and went down with Yamaha privateer Kelly Smith on lap three. Several riders got by Brown while he was on the ground, including Jesseman, but he regrouped and got back on the gas to repass all but Jesseman and Boniface. More importantly, he lost five points to Jesseman in the championship race after closing the gap by winning two weeks earlier at Daytona. Brown must now focus all of his attention By DAVE DERINGER PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN ST. LOUIS, MO, MAR. 22 Obe Suzuki's Branden Jesseman has two races to go before claiming his first professional championship. The Fombell, Pennsylvania, resident has now won three of the five main events in the 125cc Eastern region this year and has two more races remaining. He now has a 10-point lead over his fierce competitor Mike Brown. Brown finished third at the event, but some say he threw away a win after tangling on the opening lap with Brock Sellards and then crashing a few laps later with privateer Kelly Smith. In any case, Jesseman is now the man to beat in the East, and the confident - yet quiet - SoBe Suzuki rider seems to remain determined. S cue I • n e vv S • APRIL 2, 2003 11