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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PHOTO BY DON ADAMS JR. AMA Xtreme International Ice Racing Series Round 2: U.S. Bank Arena Barlow Leads 2005 AMA XIIR Series By KEVIN WALLACE CINCINATTi, OH, JAN. 8 " British Bulldog" Anthony Barlow rode through the pain barrier to win the first round of the AMA Xtreme International Ice Racing Series in Cincinnati, Ohio. Racing with three broken bones in his left foot, Barlow pushed himself to the limit and came home ahead of the 2004 XIIR champion, Kenny Olsson, and flying French Canadian Nick Fafard in the main final. In front of 3000 ice fans at the U.S. Bank Arena, the expanded 14-round 200S series began for real. with the (our top-ranked racers from 2004 lining up for the first heat of the championship. The competitiveness of the night's racing was evident as Scotland's David Meldrum, Kevin Little, "Red Bull Dog" Barlow and Sweden's Olsson hit the first bend in determined fashion. Meldrum was passed by Barlow and Little on lap two, while Olsson stayed close. Fifth-ranked Scott Courtney showed his liking for the ice by finishing ahead of Alan "Wild Thing" Ferrow and improving rookie David Bradley. Debutant Gary Phelps from England blazed to victory on his first-ever race on American ice, over Greg Starchevich. Fafard won his opener in gritty fashion from the tapes, ahead of "Iceman" Eddie Kelly and Aussie Adrian "Skip" Newman. The first race after the intermission had the crowd on its feet, as Phelps chased Barlow hard for three laps before coming in too hot under Barlow. Amazingly, to avoid a collision, the skilful Phelps turned 360 degrees and his bike lifted four feet off the ice! Starchevich broke the starting tape and was sent back 15 yards. Courtney took full advantage, took his place on the front row, and took another stylish victory, over young Bradley. Olsson recovered from his first-race disappointment with an effortless win, and Alan Ferroweased in second. Fafard and Little met in the next heat. Fafard used his inside start to guarantee a front-row grid position in the final. The six-rider last-chance qualifier grid had champion Olsson and third-ranked Little in the front row and Phelps and Meldrum on the rear an indication of the standard of XIIR racers this season. Olsson outgated Little and raced off, leaving Ferrow to deal with Phelps and Meldrum. Barlow, Courtney and Fafard, all unbeaten, started the main from the front row. A hungry Olsson, Little and a delighted Ferrow completed the back row. Barlow led into the first corner. Fafard passed Courtney on the first lap. Olsson pulled off a stunning move on Courtney and Fafard for second; Fafard and Little took advantage of Courtney being squeezed into a wall by Olsson. little pressed Fafard hard for third, but Fafard held on for the final rostrum place. Barlow scored a dominant win - an ominous sign to the other XIIR Ryan Skinner (47) leads the 12S« Beginner class around the first corner at Washington's Woodland Motocross Park. Woodland Motocross Park Another Niemi Show By JUSTIN WHARTON WOODLAND, WA, DEC. 5 oodland's first December race of the year showed the Woodland MX track in its full glory: lots of mud. Riders got so tired of W 28 the rain and slop that almost all voted in favor of a one-moto format. The officials thought that the riders should still put in the same amount of laps and kindly ran very long motos, just to toughen them up a little. Kevin Robertson stole the show in the 12Scc Amateur Division One class, giving the rest of the riders a lesson on "how to master mud." Robertson even had time to pull over, try a rutted tabletop out of a corner, take a soil sample, brush himself off. and take off again twice! Robertson still finished far ahead of the FEBRUARY 2, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS Anthony Barlow topped the main event at round two of the AMA Xtreme Intemationallce Racing Series, held at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. contenders that Barlow is back in form. "I am pleased finishing second after starting fourth on the grid," Olsson said. "It's a long series, and it's a good start." "I'm so happy," Fafard exclaimed. "It was a great race tonight. but there was no catching the Bulldog. I think he's using Red Bull in his tank!" Cincinnati left no doubt that XIIR is bigger, better and faster than the inaugural meeting 12 months earlier. Promoter Barlow said: "The racing is getting tougher every year, and the fans were treated to some great racing tonight. All the fans are loving it, and I think it rubs off on the racers; they all want to perform on the night and be successful." second-placed rider, Matt Russell. Third place went to Justin Nolden, fourth went to Jade Unger, and Bobby Brown took fifth. In the 125cc Amateur Division Two class, it was Yamaha-mounted Ryan Skinner taking the win. Skinner, who was in the 85cc Beginner class just a little over a year ago, has really improved lately, and it showed as he led the entire race to the checkers. Taking second was Eli Price, and rounding out the podium was another rider who just jumped up from the 85cc ranks, Stephen Butler. Fourth went to Aaron Martin, and Chit Brun took fifth. J.J. Niemi was unstoppable in the mud and rain, as he won both the 125cc and 250cc Expert classes. In the 125cc class, he had brothers Nick and Chris Holum to contend With, but with amazing speed he stayed ahead of the charging siblings to take the win. Chris took second and Nick took third. Niemi had a little trouble at the beginning of the 250cc Expert contest, as Dustin Lafave proved to be a quicker starter, and it took Niemi several laps to get around him. Once Niemi did get by, he was gone! No one could even run close to his pace. After getting passed, Lafave held on to second a lot longer than he had first - all the way to the checkers. 2ach Fleming took third, Jeremy Despain was fourth, and Phil Vadney took fifth. The Over 30 Amateur class was won by Yamaha-mounted Todd Risner, who held off the charging second-place rider, Tim Shirley. Ryan Jones was third. Patrick Brenner took fourth, and Matt Schweitzer finished fifth. eN U.S. BANK ARENA CINCINNATI, OHIO RESULTS: JANUARY 8, 2004 (ROUND 2) O/A: I. Anthony Barlow; 2. Kenny Olsson; J. Nick Fafard. RESULTS SO BEG: I. Justice Sather (Hus); 2. Joey Weiler (KTM); J. Abby Weiler (KTM); 4. Josh Raphel (Yam); 5. Sam Stephenson (Hon). 50 (4-6): I. Bailey Haines (KTM); 2. Garret Myers; J. Hunter De La Grange (KTM); 4. Tessa Fullen (Hoo); 5. Tabor Magnuson (KTM). 50 (1-S): I. Jacob Carpenter (KTM); 2. Cody Smith (KTM); J. Tyros Ancheta (KTM). 65 BEG: I. Jesse Hancurf (KTM): 2. JosIah Tognazzini (KTM): J. Logan Lorey (Hon); 4. Casey Barta. (Han); 5. Austin Goff (KTM). 6S (5-S): I. Chance Blackburn (KTM); 2. Jacob Carpenter (KTM); 3. Trevor Smith (KTM): 4. Cody Smith (KTM); S. Tyros Ancheta (KTM). 65 (9-11): I. Brad Frace (KTM); 2. Devon Moore (KTM); 3. Tanner Berry (KTM); 4. J.D. Baker (Kaw); 5. Talyn Taylor (KTM). 65 OPEN: t. Brad Frace (KTM): 2. Tanner Berry (KTM); 3. Matthew Shirley (Kaw): 4. Coltln Scott (KTM): 5. Tyler Vea (KTM). 85 BEG: I. J.D. Baker (KTM); 2. Neal Burres (Yam); J. Nick Laroy (Yam); 4. James Roberts (Yam); S. Danni Laulainen (Hon). 85 (7-11): I. Brad Frace (Yam); 2. Julian Doane (Kaw); 3. Devan Moore (Suz); 4. Austin Van Meter (Yam); S. Mike Pontious (Suz). S/MINI: I. Nathan Teel (Suz): 2. Matthew Colman (Suz): 3. Julian Doane (Kaw); 4. Ben Baldasano (Hon): S. Jeremiah Pickup (Yam). PIT/Bt<: I. Aaron Newport (Han); 2. Justin Wharton (Xtr): J. Whitney Ellison (Hoo). 115 AM 0-1: t. Kevin Robertson (Yam); 2. Matt Russell (Han); 3. Justin Nolden (KTM); 4. Jade Unger (Yam): S. Bobby Brown (Yam). 115 AM 0-1: I. Ryan Skinner (Yam); 2. Eli Price (Kaw): 3. Stephen Butler (Han); 4. Aaron Martin (So2): S. Chit Brown (Kaw). 115 EX: I. J.J. Niemi (Yam): 2. Chris Holum (KTM); 3. Nick Holum (KTM). 150 AM: I. Jeff Saurault (Hon); 2. Ryan Skinner (Yam); J. Matt Brauer (Han): -1. Jenid Southard (Suz); S. Matt Schweitzer (Hon). 150 EX: I. J.J. Niemi (Yam): 2. Dustin Lafave (Hon); 3. Zach Fleming (Han); -1. Jeremy Despain (Yam); S. Phil Vadney (Yam). WMN: I. Samantha Peitrlch (Kaw); 2. Cassidy Bragg (Suz): 3. Jamie Autry (Hon). BTH: I. Jeremy Despain (Yam); 2. Zach Fleming (Han); 3. David Cox (Hon); 4. Josh True (Yam). 30+ AM: I. Todd Bisner (Yam): 2. Tim Shirley (Yam); 3. Ryan Jones (Yam); 4. Patrick Brenner (Yam): S. Matt Schweitzer (Hon). 30+ EX: I. Tim Wiles (Hoo); 2. Jon Niemi Sr. (Yam). 40+ AM: I. Steve Reed (KTM); 2. Tim Johnson (Yam); J. Dan Krick (Hon): -1. Craig Ostman (Han); 5. Keith Wyffels (Yam). 40+ EX: I. Tim Wiles (Hon).