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/128366
Battle of the Best Winter Series Round I: Gravity Alley Motocross Track Begue Big as Battle of the Best Begins at Breaux Bridge SPRINGFIELD TT - May 28th Wlile - May 29th ,. . BY Roy JENKINS BREAUX BRIDGE, LA, JAN. 16 T he Battle of the Best Winter Series had a promising beginning, as racers from Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas. Mississippi and Tennessee squared off at Gravity Alley. The temperature was a blustery 52 degrees at race time, clear and bright. Mike Shea had his battlefield moist and rough. just right for a day of fierce motocross racing. Tyler Begue, 125c( B rider, did his impression of a Pro rider by jumping into the lead of the combined 125cc A and B Springfield, Illinois illinois State Fairgrounds contest, setting a fast pace and never letting up. He finished in front of A riders Nick Phillips and Chad Kennedy in both motos. Kennedy won both motes in the A class on his Champion Cycle KTM. but he couldn't pass Begue, on his Yamaha 250F. Twelveyear-old Dillon Vanway took second in the B class on his 12Scc KTM. Dillon's brother Logan took second in the 2SO<:c B class, at the tender age of I I ! In the 85cc showdown, 19 12- to IS-year-old Novice riders squeezed onto the gate. Jeremy Domingue was brimming with confidence since his nemesis, Mitch Gourney, was absent. However, it didn't take long for two old rivals to jump him in turn one of their home track - Derrick Ronsonet and Lance Vincent. Also running near the front were Arkansas rider Taylor Clarke and Louisiana riders Ethan Delcambre, Dane Dumesnil and Shane Yonge. As the laps wore on, the cream came to the top, and Vincent had the lead on his Honda, with Domingue snapping at his heels aU the way. Their battle took the two away from Ronsonet and the rest of the pack. Domingue tried the inside and the outside, wheelying down the rough straights, hoping to overtake Vincent, but Vincent matched him move for move, holding the lead all the way to victory by two bikelengths! Domingue had to eat more of Vincent's roost in the second mota, but he almost passed the leader a few times. This time, Delcambre covered third, in front of Dumesnil, John Moeller and Mason Roy. Again, Vincent took his yellow bike to the checkers, in front of Domingue's red mount. Vincent, Domingue and Ronsonet entertained the crowd again in the 85cc Open No-Big-Wheel class. This time, Vincent jumped out early, with Ronsonet in tow. Behind them ran Yonge, Jude Patterson, Moeller and Taylor Clarke. Domingue finished the first lap in 14th place! Vincent and Ronsonet were running from the pack on lap two, with Moeller in third and Domingue sneaking up to ninth. Vincent dodged the lappers to take the checkers, with Ronsonet six seconds back in second and Domingue in third. The only change for the front-runners in the second moto was when Ronsonet crashed into the ditch in turn two; by the time he rejoined the race, he was out of contention. Vincent won again by holding off a game but frustrated Domingue at the finish line. RESULTS 50 Oll-INJ: I. Chandle.- Lebouef (KTM); 2. Drake Vincent (Hon). 50 STK (4-6):L Kolby Johnson (KTM); 2. Chandler Lebouef (KTM). 50 STK (7-8): I. Shaw GUillotte (Lem); 2. Koi Westbrook (KTM): J. Barron Bellard (KTM): 1. Dylan Dunford (Cob): 5. Hayden Chaven (KTM). 50 MOO OPEN: I. Shaw Guillone (Lem); 2. Koi Westbrook (KTM); J. Dylan Dunford (Cob); 1. Barron Bellard (KTM): 5. Kelby Johnson (KTM). 65 (7-9): I. Shaw Gutllotle (Suz); 2. Zachary Airhart (Suz): J. Kye Broom (Suz):". Gordon Waguespack (Kaw): S. Tyler Escoyne (KTM). 65 (10-11): I. Joe LOOOf!Y (KTM); 2. Hama Escoyne (KTM): J. Derrick Ronsonet (77) leads Jeremy Domingue (651) and lance Vincent (825) through turn two in the second 8Scc moto at the Battle of the Best Winter Series opener at Gravity Alley MX. CYCLE NEWS • FEBRUARY 23, 2005 49