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/128313
(Above) Ch ad Johnson (6) was on the podium i n th ree out of four moins . Here, he leads Lange (4) and Justin Braytan (7) in Friday's 250cc main. (Belaw) Phil Lawrence (8), Hofmaster (2), Lange (4) and Brad Hagseth (10) battle off th e line in Friday 's 250cc main. "Igot off to a good start, but CJ [johnson] had a great start," Hofmaster said. "I tried to push, and I thought I had a better line in the whoops, and I made the pass." Lange did his best but ran out of time and had to settle for the last podium position behind Johnson, who was excited to grab second once again. 'T his tra ck is really hard ," Johnson said. 'To mmy got away from me, and I feel like I pulled him back a little bit towards the en d." Northrop and Hagseth held on for fourth and fifth, respectively. Brad Hagseth led the 250cc class into the first turn, followed closely by Justin Brayton, Lange and Hofmaster. Lange made his move early and began to set a blistering pace . "I picked some good lines through the whoops, and that's where you win or lose a race - especi ally here, where it's hard to pass," Lange said. Lange was rocketing around the track out fron t at such a pace that he woul d lap up to fo urt h, wh ile Brayton and Hagseth battled over th e second pos ition , and Hofmaster and Johnson swapped plastic S AT URDAY Jo hnson once again was the first to get to turn o ne in the 125cc main. Johnso n avoided a pileup at the end of the Whoops sect ion by using the o utside line, and the wreck claimed Lange and several other riders . "I got into the whoo ps good; it was just really slippery. When I tried to tuck in under Chad , the front end pushed," Lange said. "I went down." The pileup's benefactor was Hofmaster, who dropped into second behind Johnson . Jim Nees e , who could be seen at the end of Friday's mains attached to an oxygen tan k and nursing some sore ribs, moved into th ird. Hofmaster wasted no time in getting by Johnson and seemed determined to put some distance on the field - and Lange, while he had the chance. Neese faded quickly, giving way to both Lange and Northrop, who were on the move . (Above) Jeff Northrop (615) has been picking up speed as af late. Here, he stuffs Ryan Huffman (12) in 125cc action . Northrop got two fourths through out the weekend. (Left) Jim Neese rode hard all weekend bu t had to suck on oxygen ofter ea ch race because of injured r ib s and the high altitude. for fourth . Brayton made it by Hagseth , who was on a backward slide and also allowed Johnson by that lap. Lange took his third win of the weekend, with an elated Brayton hanging on for second just in front of Jo hnso n. www.cycienEWs.com "I had some bad luck in the 125cc class when I went down with Darcy," Brayto n said. "I tr ied to put that be hind me and use that leftover adrenal ine in the 250 main to ride a smart race ." Dowd made it up to fourth, with Hagseth turning in another consistent ride eN for fifth. PEPSI CENRR DE NVER, COLORADO RESULT FEBRUARY 13 ·14, 2004 S: (ROUND 10 OF 12) Friday 125 MAIN: I. Darcy lange (Kaw); 2. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 3. TommyHoIm.st er (Yam): <. Chad Johrnon (Yam): 5. Brad fUgseth (Hon): 6 . p.,tin B"}'tOn (Han); 7. John Dow