Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

eMe Golden State Nationals South Round I: Glen Helen Raceway Park Villopoto: Victor and Victim By JOHN BETHEA SAN BERNARDINO, CA, JAN. 2 D yan Villopoto proved once again that the only Intermediate I"racer on the West Coast that can beat him is ...himself. After making a spectacular come-from-Iast drive in the first 125cc Schooiboy race at the CMC South's opening round of the Golden State Nationals, the 16-year-old faaory-backed Team Green Kawasaki rider came within an eyelash of the win, only to slap himself down and out. Kicking off a new year that will probably be his last as an Amateur, Vi1Iopoto scored two·moto sweeps in both the 125cc and 250cc Intermediate contests, but it was the 25-rider Schoolboy race that he'll most likely remember the most, as he spilled in turn two on the first lap while dicing for the lead, and his engine stubbornly refused to restart quickly, leaving him well back in last place once he got under way. Villopoto began slicing through the field quickly and, incredibly, he had moved to second when the white flag appeared. and he was closing on Robert Memoli's factorysupported Honda. However, less than 200 yards from the finish, Villopoto hit the face of an uphill jump and stalled the bike. Once again he was the victim of gremlins: This time, the bike refused all attempts to refire, and Villopoto pushed it to the infield, dumped the machine immediately and walked angrily to the pits, giving himself 22nd instead of second. When he won the next moto, instead ofthird overall, he only garnered 11th overall. Villopoto also entered a fourth class, the Four-Stroke class; he won moto one but failed to start moto two - with no reason given. Mike Alessi, who turned Pro last fall, is still an odds-on favorite at any non-National event he enters. On this day, he easily scored two more victories, acing the 20-minute 125cc and 2SOcc races from wire to wire. The best racing was behind him, with his brother Jeff scoring runner-up in the big-bore clash. Chaparral Honda's Gerrit Ordelman had the runner-up honors in the 125s tossed in his lap on the last lap when Daniel Sani blew it in a sandy berm and nearly went over the handlebars of his Fox Suzuki. By the time he recovered, Ordelman had pounced. Recently returned from a broken (oot, Honda of Houston's (KTM): 4. Ryan Varnes (lem); 5. Colton Smith (Cob). ADULT SO: I. Jake Johnson (Hon); 2. Tom Majeski (Hen); 3. Roy Miller (Lem); 4. Ken Yoder (Han); 5. Cory Texter (Lem). 65: I. Colin Webb (Kaw); 2. Matthew Langrehr (Kaw); 3. Thomas Webb (Kaw): 4. 1:J. Irvin (KTM); 5. Terry Spence (KTM). 8S: I. Brett Pugh (Yam): 2. Shayna Texter (Yam): 3. Tyler Kidwell (Han); 4. Frank Valentin (Han): 5. Josh Standiford (Yam). ADULT XRIOO; I. Cory Texter (Hon): 2. Dale Verzi (5uz); 3. Chris Carr (Han): 4. Bryan Douglas (Hon): 5. Nicholas Henderson (Hon). 125: J. Shawn Rothstein (Yam): 2. Cory Texter (KTM); 3. Todd Stith (5uz); 4. Joe Schueler (Yam); $. Nicholas Henderson (Han). 250: I. John lewis (5uz): 2. Chris Hathaway (Kaw): 3. Brandon Robinson (Yam): 1. Dave Smith (Kaw); 5. Damian Kocovinos (Hon). 450; I. Ace Phillips (Yam); 2. Ryan Henderson (Hon); J. Rich Mellinger (Yam): 1. Scott Saunders (Han); S. Bryan Armstrong (Han). OPEN PRO: I. Donnie Mullen (Han); 2. Paul lynch (Hon); J. Chris Klinefelter (Hon); 1. Roy Miller (Yam); S. Bryan Douglas (Han). WMN: I. Shayna Texter (Han); 2. Samantha Resch (Yam); 3. Nicole Henderson (Han): 1. Kelly Bell (Han); 5. Megan Belt (Han). Pro Source Suzuki Elko Runs Stron TECUMSEH, MI, DEC. 18 T he biggest group of the night was the 85cc Junior class, and the racing was intense~ Trent Pugmire has admitted that longtime foe Travis Baker has "gotten faster" in his absence. On this day, the Protec Yamahabacked Baker pulled off wins in BOcc Open and 80cc (14-16) events. In the latter, Baker bested Pugmire in the all-important second moto to earn the biggest trophy. Pugmire came back hard in the Supermini contest, twice leading Baker across the line at the checkers. The day's racing had an international flavor, as English youngster Max Anstie rode to victory in both the 60cc Open and SOcc (7-11) events but was denied a third win when a crash in the first 60cc (9-1 I) moto left him fourth. He came back and won the second race but was still outpointed by Kenda Tires' CN Austin Politelli of Big Bear, California. GLEN HELEN RACEWAY PARK SAN BERNARDINO, CAUFORNIA RESULTS: JANUARY 2, 2005 (ROUND 1) SO BEG: I. Bailey Duda (Pol); 2. Conely l

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