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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AMA THO 12Scc Eastern Region Supercross Series Portuguese rider Rodrigues was happy that he finished third. It was his first supercross podium, and after his brutal crash a few weeks ago in Orlando that left him with a concussion and a tweaked shoulder, it was a breath of fresh air. "I put a lot of pressure on myself early in the season." Rodrigues said. "Today there was not much pressure on me, and I had a good start and kept it there." Rodirgues led for a few laps before Hansen passed him. "Things went good, I feel good," Rodrigues said. "I'm glad to be here and hope one day to get on the top of the podium. The first podium is the hardest. I just have to keep working hard. I have to thank the team for believing in me." eN SILVERDOME PONTIAC, MICHIGAN RESULTS: APRIL 9, 2005 (AmR 7 OF 7 ROUNDS) HEAT I (6 laps; 1·9 transfer): I. Josh Hansen (KTM): 2. Branden Jessemen (502); 3. Davi Millsaps (Suz): 4. Brock Sellards (Yam); S. Troy Adams (Hon): 6. Matt Walker (Kaw); 7. Chad Johnson (Yam); B. Justin Buckelew (Hon); 9. Greg Schnell (Hon); 10. Tyson Hadsell (Yam): II. Tucker Hibbert (Hon); 12. Chad Ward (Yam); 13. Derrick Fisher (Yam); 14. Ty Conner (Yam); IS. Wilty Browning (502); 16. Taylor Watts (Yam); 17. Charles Ellis (502); 18. Chad Boyd (Hon); 19. Kyle Preston (Suz); 20. Ron Boyas (Hon). Time: 5 min., 12.600 sec. HEAT 2 (6 laps; 1·9 transfer): I. Grant Langston (Kaw); 2. Steve Boniface (Hon); 3. Josh Grant (Hon); 4. Kelly Smith (Yam); 5. Ryan Mills (KTM); 6. Jeff Dement (Suz); 7. Jacob Saylor (Yam); 8. Joaquim Rodrigues (Hon); 9. Brad Ripple (5uz); to. Kevin Johnson (Yam); II. Donnie McGouny (Hon); 12. Shawn Clark (Kaw); 13. Tom Kelly (5uz); 14. Nathan Tierney (Yam); IS. David Ginolfi (Hon); 16. Carl $chlaet (Hon); 17. Barry Carsten (Suz); 18. Tommy Hofmaster (Suz); 19. Randy Valade (Hon); 20. Geddy Karle (Yarn). Time: 5 min., 1]:4]0 sec. lAST CHANCE QUALIFIER (4 laps; 1-4 transfer): I. Donnie Mcgourty (Hon); 2. Tommy Hormaster (Suz); J. Tyson Hadsell (Yam); 4. Tucker Hibbert (Hon); S. Derrick Fisher (Yam); 6. Kevin Johnson (Yam); 7. Willy Browning (Suz); B. Ty Conner (Yam); 9. Shawn Clark (Kaw); 10. Randy Valade (Hon); II. Nathan T.emey (Yam): 12. Charles Ellis (Suz): 13. Chad Wa.d (Yarn): 14. Davkl Glno1fi (Hon): 15. Geddy Karle (Yarn): 16. Chad Boyd (Hon): 17. BaOT)' Carsten (Suz); 18. Kyle Preston (Suz); 19. Ron Boyas (Hon); 20. Carl Schlacht (Hon); 21. Taylor Watts (Yam); 22. Tom Kelly (5u,). Time: 3 min., 26.1 SO sec. MAIN (16 laps): I. Josh Hansen (KTM); 2. Davi Millsaps (Suz); 3. Joaquim Rodrigues (Hon); 4. Grant Langston (Kaw); 5. Steve Boniface (Hon); 6. Kelly Smith (Yam); 7. Justin Buckelew (Hon): 8. Branden Jessemen (Suz); 9. Josh Grant (Hon); 10. Brock Sellards (Yam): ,I. Jacob Saylor (Yam); 12. Greg Schnell (Hon): 13. Chad Johnson (Yam); 14. Tucker Hibben (Han); IS. Donnie McGourty (Hon); 16. Brad Ripple (Suz); 17. Tyson Hadsell (Yam); 18. Tommy Hofmaster (So2); '9. Jeff Dement (Suz); 20. Matt Walker (Kaw); 21. Ryan Mills (KTM); 22. Troy Adams (Hon). lime: 12 min.. 38.450 sec. Margin of victory: 1.816 sec. AHA THQ 125cc EASTERN REGION SUPERCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 7 of 7 rounds): I. (TIE) Grant Langston (143/4 wins)/Josh Hansen (143/3 wins); 3. Davi Millsaps (137/2); 4. Steve Boniface (97); S. Kelty Smith (96); 6. Troy Adams (78); 7. Matt Walker (77); 8. Josh Grant (71); 9. Joaquim Rodrigues (65): 10. (TIE) Brock Sellards (64)/Ryan Mills (64)JJustin Buckelew (64): 13. Chad Johnson (60); 14. Greg Schnell (58); 15. Branden Jessemen (43): 16. Kevin Johnson (38); 17. Tucker Hibbert (35): 18. J.cob S.ylo, (32): 19. Sr.od Ripple (27): 20. Jeff Dement (26). UPCOMING ROUNDS Eo;~West Shootoul: Lo; Vegas, Nevada, May 6 Briefly... Team Red Bull KTM's Josh Hansen had a scary crash in practice. It left him down for the count until he finally got up and remounted his bike. "I clipped off another rider and hit the bales and crashed," Hansen said before the evening's program. "I was all right, I just knocked the wind out of myself. I'm good now I'm ready to go." According to AMA Pro Racing's Supercross and Motocross manager Steve Whitlock they were testing out a new split-timing system in Pontiac. Since the system needs GPS coordinates to work, it has only been used in open stadiums this year. Since the Silverdome is enclosed, the AMA decided it would be a perfect place to test the equipment. They had problems, however, and times were not posted. "We had a software problem with the technology," Whitlock said at the rider's meeting. "We can't deliver split times as promised." The Joshes, Josh Hansen and Josh Grant, were fined for their behavior at last week's race in Dallas. Hansen was fined $5000, while Grant was fined $2000. Both were placed on probation for the remainder of this season. "You are responsible for your actions. and weare watching you," Steve Whitlock warned all of the riders. In Friday's practice, Team Kawasaki's James Stewart was the first to attempt a difficult triple-triple rhythm section that most riders were doubling trough. Come Saturday, though, Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael were both making the leap. During the press conference Ricky Carmichael was asked about his crash during testing the week before the Dallas round. Carmichael said that it was on his mind, but that it wasn't an excuse. "Just 32 APRIL 20,2005 • CYCLE NEWS before Dallas, I fell and took a handlebar to the stomach," Carmichael said. "It serves me right, probably, for being a 'cool guy' and not wearing a chest protector. It bugs me, but that's no excuse." With the Nationals approaching, many twostroke riders will be switching over to fourstrokes when the show goes outdoors. Team Honda's Ernesto Fonseca was asked about what bike he would be riding, and he replied, "I don't know if I'm allowed to say yet, but you guys will find out soon enough. Hopefully it will be a 450." Team Honda's Andrew Short had been riding in the 250cc class aboard a 250 twostroke. He wasn't, hoWever, at Pontiac. With the next round of the I 25cc West Coast Series rapidly approaching, his team wanted him to spend more time aboard the CRF250F four-stroke that he would be riding next week in Seattle, Washington. Team MDK Motorsports' Nick Wey, still on the mend from knee surgery, attended the Pontiac race. Wey says that he has to wait another month or so before his leg is strong enough to start riding again. u.sr week, Team Solitaire/Fly Racing's Ryan CIari< switched from Yamaha to Honda and from two-stroke to four-stroke, and he has been adapting quite well to his new CRF450R. "I'm really happy with the bike," Clark said. '1>.11 in all, it has been a really good change for me and has kind of been a shot in the arm to rejuvenate me here in the middle of the season." 50 what is Kevin Windham going to do with his $1500 check for taking his first Butterfinger Holeshot this year in the main event? "Steve Hudson and I were talking earlier," Windham said. "I told him that I would donate my hole5hot to SXMXMinistries. I kind of thought that [getting the holeshot] was a long shot being that I hadn't gotten one yet, but sure enough I did." His win at Pontiac was his third straight at the facility. So why has Chad Reed had such good luck here? He's not sure, actually. "I don't necessarily like the dirt or anything like that here," Reed said. "I think the dirt kind of sucks. It's dry, dusty and hard packed - all the stuff I don't really like. I guess at this point in the season, I'm comfortable and pushing hard - I'm lucky I guess." Could this have been the final Supercross race at the Silverdome? Could be, according to the rumors going around the Pontiac pits. But no one could verify the rumors.