Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

secure the third spot. Hughes finished fourth, followed by Sorby. Metcalfe, Star Racing/Bobby J's Yamaha's Michael Brandes, Roncada, Red Bull KTM's Steve Boniface and Amsoil/Chaparral Honda's Michael Byme rounded out the top 10. Brown's win was all the more impressive considering that he practically rode the race with one eye. "Last night I was in my motorhome, and I got something in my eye, and now I can't see out of it," Brown said. "I guess that's a good thing. I rode my butt off. The track was really rough, and it's going to get rougher." Langston, who said after moto one that he felt as though he was just starting to <;atch rhythm, showed that he still had the beat at the start of the second moto, launching his KTM into the lead, with Hughes, Anderson, Brown, Brandes, Roncada and Buddy Antunez giving chase. Anderson passed Hughes to take over second before they came into view down Mount St. Helens. Sorby was once again victimized by a midpack start, though the Frenchman would be 13th by the end of the first lap. Sellards' day went from bad to worse on the opening lap when he stalled in practically the same spot on the track where he had crashed in the first moto. By the time he got going again, he was in last place. Langston set a solid pace up front, running in the high 2:44s and pulling about 5.5 seconds ahead of Brown, who in turn had another 5.6 on the third-running Hughes just a few laps into the race. Brown would continue to inch his way forward while Hughes dropped further off the lead pace. "The intensity just wasn't there in the second moto," Hughes said. "I rode my own pace, not over my head. I just wanted to get through this race and figure out where I was at and what I need to work on. This championship isn't won in the first two motos, it's won in 24, so I have to be there for all 24. I got a pretty good start at it today." While running seventh, Antunez unloaded big-time in the whoopedout Bud's Creek section on lap three. He lay on the track for several minutes and then was attended to by medical personnel several more before eventually walking back to the pits. ';f Aside from the lead chase, the •'. best battle for position was for the fourth spot. Star Racing's YZ250Fmounted Brandes held the position, just ahead of Roncada, Sorby and Metcalfe. Sorby was on fire again, however, and he managed to pick his way into contention for a podium spot by passing Roncada on lap six and taking fourth away from Brandes two laps later. It was to be Sorby's highwater mark for the moto, and with no difficulty experienced by Langston, Brown or Hughes, Sorby's finishes would hold him to fourth overall - they don't give out bonus points for the most riders passed on the day. r "I had a pretty good day," Sorby said. "I had very bad starts, but I have a good feeling with my bike, and I have the speed to win now. I can win because James Stewart is not here. Everybody knows that James is the best rider on a 125. I need to train hard so that I can be ready for next week. I need to make some starts. Except for my starts, everything was good. I'm happy, but I want to win next week." With Hughes cruising in third, more than 20 seconds behind Langston and Brown, all that remained was to see if Brown would take the overall by 1-2 finishes or if he would go for the sweep. Brown put himself into position to do just that, closing on Langston with two laps to go. Brown seemed to have a slight advantage in the flat sections, while Langston was getting great drives up both big hills. With two to go, Brown took one last shot at Langston in ~e Bud's Creek area, pulling out from behind him in the hope of getting a better drive through the sand. Langston held Brown off, however, and by the time the two emerged down the face of Mount St. Helens on the final lap, it was clear that Brown had gone into conservation mode. Langston took the win, with his 3-1 finishes good enough to net second overall. "In the first moto, I would have hoped for a little more, but in the second moto I felt strong," Langston said. "I have to give a lot of credit for this to my mechanic, Mike, who went from spending the last six months building 250s to getting a call on Wednesday and being told that he needed to build 125s." Brown said that while he did try to take the win from Langston, he knew when enough was enough. "I think that he was getting better drives up the hills than I was," Brown said. "I don't think that he has any more power than we do. I couldn't really see good, and I just said, 'Heck, I don't want to crash and not finish.' I just settled for second." Brandes held tough to finish fifth in the second moto, making him fifth overall (7 -5), first four-stroke and, better yet, first privateer, which was worth an additional S 1500 at the pay window. "It turned out good," Brandes said. "I wasn't sure how it was going to go. I knew that I had the speed, and I have a good bike and the great support of Star Racing, Sean Hummel Racing, Big Gun, and Enzo suspension. I'm really happy." Red Bull KTM's Brett Metcalfe, Amsoil/Chaparral Honda's Chris Gosselaar, Roncada, Red Bull KTM's Billy Laninovich and teammate Steve Boniface rounded out the top lOin moto two. eN &1... Helen ReceWIY Sin Bemlnllno, Califomia Results: Mey 11, Z003 IRound 1 of 121 125 MOTO 1: Mike Brown (Kaw); 2. Brock Selhuds (Yam); 3. Gnmt umgston (KTM): 4. Ryan Hughes (KTM); 5. ErIc Sorby (Kow); 6. Brett Metcolfe (KTM): 7. Michllel Brllndes (Yam); 8. Stephlln Michael Brandes had the surprise ride of the day. After sitting out the Supercross SerIes, Brandes went 7·5 for top privateer honors. RoncllIda (Suz); 9. Steve Boniface (KTM); 10. Michael Byrne (Hon); 11. Troy Adems (Yam); 12. Chris Gosselaar (Hon); 13. Matthieu Lalloz (Suz); 14. Billy Lonlnovlch (KTM); 15. Turbo Relf (Yom); 16. Jeremy Choussee (Yom); 17. Kelly Smith (Yom); 18. Doryl Hurley (Suz); 19. Tucker Hibbert (Suz); 20. Tim Weigend (Hon); 21. Richie Owens (Kaw); 22. Brian Gray (Suz); 23. Tyson Hadsell (Yam); 24. David Pingree (Suz); 25. Shone Bess (Suz); 26. Ryon Mills (Hon); 27. Crllig Anderson (YlIm); 28. Michael Blose (YlIm); 29. Ivan Tedesco (Yam); 30. Steve Lamson (Suz); 31. Robert Kiniry (Suz); 32. Michoel Sleeter (Yem); 33. Steve Mertens (Yam); 34. Kevin W. Johnson (Yam); 35. Joshua Hansen (Yam); 36. Sean Collier (Hon); 37. Paul Veracklll (Kaw); 38. Cosey Johnson (Suz); 39. Andrew Short (Suz). TIme of R8ce: 37 min., 56.793 sec. 125 MOTO 2: 1. Langston; 2. Brown; 3. Hughes; 4. Sorby; 5. Brandes; 6. Metcllllfe; 7. Gosselaar; 8. Roncada; 9. Loninovich; 10. Boniface; 11. Short; 12. Tedesco; 13. Mertens; 14. Sellards: 15. Kevin W. Johnson; 16. Hurley; 17. Weigand: 18. Byrne; 19. Owens: 20. Kiniry; 21. Lomson; 22. Anderson; 23. Gray; 24. Hadsell; 25. Reif; 26. Hansen; 27. Blose; 28. Lalloz; 29. Pingree; 30. Bess; 31. Hibbert.; 32. Sleeter; 33. Collier; 34. Smith; 35. Mills; 36. Adorns; 37. Chaussee: 38. Veracka; 39. Casey Johnson. Time of Race: 35 min.• 36.352 sec. 125 O/A: 1. Mike Brown (Kaw); 2. Grant Longston (KTM); 3. Ryon HU9hes (KTM); 4. Eric Sorby (Kaw); 5. Michael Brandes (Yem); 6. Brett Metcalfe (KTM); 7. Brock Sellards (Yam): 8. Slephane Roncada (Suz); 9. Chris Gosselaar (Hon); 10. Steve Boniface (KTM); 11. Billy Laninovich (KTM); 12. Michoel Byrne (Hon); 13. Andrew Short (Suz); 14. Troy Adams (Yam); 15. IVllln Tedesco (Yam); 16. Steve Mertens (Yam); 17. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 18. Doryl Hurley (Suz); 19. Motthieu Lolloz (SOl); 20. Kevin W. Johnson (Ylllm); 21. Turbo Reif (Yom); 22. Tim Welgond (Hon); 23. Jeremy Choussee (Yom); 24. Kelly Smith (Yom); 25. Richie Owens (Kow); 26. Robert Kiniry (Suz); 27. Tucker Hibbert (Suz); 28. Steve Lamson (Suz); 29. Crlllig Anderson (Yam): 30. Brian Gray (Suz); 31. Tyson Hadsell (Yam); 32. Joshua Hansen (Yam); 33. MJchael Blose (Yam); 34. David Pingree (Suz): 35. Shane Bess (Suz); 36. Michael Sleeter (Yam); 37. Sean Collier (Hon); 38. Ryan Mills (Hon); 39. Paul Veracklll (Kaw); 40. Casey Johnson (Sux). 125 AI'IA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. MOTOCROSS CHAI'IPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 1 of 12 rounds): 1. Mike Brown (47f1 win); 2. Gront Lon9ston (45); 3. Ryon Hughes (38); 4. ErIc Sorby (34); 5. (TIE) Michoel Brondes/Brett Metcolfe (30); 7. Brock Sellards (29): 8. Stephane Roncada (26); 9. (TIE) Chris Gosseloor/Steve Bonifoce (23); 11. Billy Loninovich (18); 12. Michael Byrne (14): 13. (TIE) Andrew Short(Troy Adorns (10); 15. Ivon Tedesco (9); 16. (TIE) Steve Mertens/Buddy Antunez (8); 18. (TIE) Doryl Hurley/Motthieu Lollo, (7); 20. Kevin Johnson (6). Upcoming Rounds: Round 2 - Sacramento, CA, May 18 Round 3 • Mount Morris, PA, May 25 m Own Race: 125cc 'll ~® Brett Metcalfe 6th (6-6) Red Bull KTM's Metcalfe may have been the surprise of the squad, as the Australian showed that he could hold his own by bagging consistent sixthplace finishes after running eighth on the first lap of both motos. "I got two pretty decent starts, and I just rode as hard as I could: Metcalfe said. "In the second moto, I got a decent start again and finished strong. That was the big thing - I never felt tired in either moto. All the passes were clean. I enjoyed the racing today. My supercross season went good this year, but hopefully the outdoors will be better." ~ 'll Stephane Roncada 8th (8-8) The SaBe Suzuki star, who has been wracked by the dreaded Esptein-Barr virus, was competitive early in both motos despite not haVing ridden in three months, according to him. "It was tough for me today: Roncada said. "I have only been on the 125 for a week, so I just need to get used to it because it is very different than the 250. I'm still riding it like a 250. I got okay starts, top-10 starts, but I still think I need to pick up a second or a second and a half per lap for the speed to be there. The more time I spend on the bike and the better shape I get in, I can win." 1] ®~ Billy Laninovich 11th (15-9) Although he came from 40th to 15th in the first moto. Red Bull KTM-backed Laninovich's problems actually began in Saturday's practice sessions, when he suffered the first of two aggravating injuries. it was pretty much an uphill fight from there. "Yesterday I messed up and hurt my right foot, and then today some guy moved over on me on a jump and I Tboned him and put my foot down and hurt my ieft knee, which is my bad knee: Laninovich said. "I thought I had tom my ACL again, but after a while it felt a little better. They think I might have a tom meniscus. I just went out and rode to get some points. It was a long day with bad starts, but it was good for being hurt, I guess." cD'll Andrew Short 13th (40-11) The MotoworldRacing.com Suzuki rider looked plenty fast in practice, only to come in dead last in the first moto. After running 22nd on the first lap, Short retired with a, uh, short. "It was something in the electrical system: Short said. "We're not sure what it was. We changed a lot of electrical stuff on the bike trying to figure it out. Our bikes are good. It was just a freak thing that it happened. In the second moto, I had an okay start. and I finished 11th, so that was all right for me. It's a good start, I guess. Last year I didn't even make the motos here. I need to work on my comer speed some more. Brownie and Langston really set the standard today. I need to catch up and get to their pace." cue. e n e _ s MAY 21, 2003 17

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