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/128379
, Reed, Langston Top The Prequel amaha's Chad Reed and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Grant Langston were the big winners at The Prequel at Glen Helen, May 15. Many top riders turned out for the big Y warmup race for next weekend's opening round of the AMA National Championship MX Series in Sacramento, California, but no one could touch Reed or Langston. Reed won both 250cc-c1ass motos, while his Yamaha teammate David Vuillemin went 2-2 for second overall. Third place went to Honda-mounted Ryan Hughes, who gave Reed a bit of a challenge in the second moto before tipping over. Hughes ended up going 33 on the day for third overall. Honda rider Rodrig Thain and Yamaha pilot Craig Decker, who will compete in the was good enough for second overall. rounded Continued from poge 9 Troy's Kelly Smith in the first moto but had to work hard for his win in the second upcoming Canadian National Series, Briefly... Grant finished third overall with a 6-2, while Smith went 4-4 for fourth. Reif tallied 2-7 moto finishes to complete the top-five overall. out the top-five overall, respectively. In the 125cc class, Langston cruised to victory over Honda-mounted Turbo Reif, Yamaha rider Jesse Casillas and Yamaha of Promoters have announced the Wright Motors Superticket, a deluxe pass that gives purchasers the "viewing opportunity of a lifetime" at the 37th annual Fairfield Cycle/Suzuki Hangrown Motocross Classic. Proceeds from the Wright Motors Superticket go to help a number of key moto. Langston went down in the first turn, got back up, reeled in leader Josh Grant and passed the Honda rider four laps from the finish. Casillas finished third again, but that charity causes in the motocross industry, John Bethea FMF Named as Presenting Sponsor for AMA Nationals AA Pro Racing has announced that FMF will become the presenting sponsor of the 2005 AMA Motocross Championship. Additionally, FMF will be the official exhaust system sponsor of the series. Farris pointed out that FMF has been at the forefront of AMA Pro Racing's recent efforts to reduce sound levels in AMA Motocross and AMA Supercross. "Reducing noise levels in both of these "FMF has a long and storied history in AMA motocross, and we're pleased they'll and public appeal," Farris said. "FMF, along not only be continuing their sponsor involve- commercial Emler said. ''Additionally, our involvement in what is undoubtedly the pinnacle of global development. advance the development of the FMF brand. We're looking forward to a long and produc- level," said John Farris, AMA Pro Racing vice of feet opportunity to showcase our exhaust systems to the motocross community," with several other companies. has been supportive of this initiative and has lent technical input that is helping us reach our objectives. There's no question that sound reduction in ment but stepping up to the series presenting president series is important for our continued growth with AMA Pro Racing. "FMF's sponsorship of the AMA Motocross Championship affords us the per- motocross competition enables FMF to "We're confident that FMF's involvement our sport, as well as for off-road motorcycles tive relationship." with the championship will lead to increased in general, is in the best interest of all motor- as The AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF will begin on May 21-22 enhanced overall branding opportunities for cyclists." Donnie Emler, president of FMF, said he is at the Hangtown Classic in Sacramento, their company_" looking forward to his company's relationship California. exposure for their products as well Belgians Rule Home Supermoto Belgian riders Gerald Delepine and Thierry Godfroid dominated the Belgian Supermoto Gp, round two of the FIM World Supermoto Championship, in Namur, Beigium, May 7-8. It was a great day for the home riders, as ear- lier in the day, Stefan Everts had won the MX I Grand Prix. With both the Belgian Grand Prix for supermoto and motocross being held at the same circuit in Namur, it was decided that the supermoto races would be spread over two days, fitting around the program of the MXGP. On Saturday, the first S2 moto started on a wet track even though the rain had stopped earlier in the day, and former 500cc Motocross World Champion Andrea Bartolini led the race from the first to the last lap, beating Belgian Thierry Godfroid and Frenchman Adrien Chareyre. Sunday the track was drier and the sun was shining when Godfroid took the holeshot, followed by former Worid Motocross Champions Frederic Bolley and Trampas Parker. Bartolini crashed on the first jump. Bolley, who crashed and retired on Saturday, took the lead on the third lap but then made a mistake on the seventh lap, let- ting both Godfroid and Parker past him. Just after mid race, the track changed a lot due to a heavy shower of hail. Bolley made his way back to second, and despite a mistake in the last laps - he stalled the engine Godfroid won the second mow and the over- all. Respectively fourth and I Ith in this race, Chareyre and Bartolini finished second and third of the GP. Godfroid was over the moon with his result around the tough circuit in Namur. including the Women's Motocross Supercross Auxiliary Foundation, "We had such a great response from the program last year that we've ramped up the Wright Motors Superticket at Hangrown even more f9r '05 to again make it an opportunity folks will talk about all summer long," said Charles Price, member of the NPG's Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club. "This ticket is a bench racer's dream." The ticket gives purchasers the following: Hangtown's legendary "Best Seat in the House," a firstturn "gem" with covered grandstands and an amazing view of the action of the track; pit pass with maximum allowable time in the pits; front-row parking; catered food and drink fit; private pro pit tour; private restrooms; and a souvenir program, poster and event T-shirt. The cost of the Superticket is $300 for adults, $150 for children, For more information, call 800/HANGTOWN or visit www.hangrownmx.com. The Wright Motors Superticket is limited to the first 160 persons, Promoters have announced that the rock groups Exile and Captivate are slated to be part of the weekend entertainment at Altamont Raceway for the Moto Fest 2005, May 28-29. Other entertainment on the schedule for the two-day Supermoto USA event will be a motocross freestyle exhibition, a street bike stunt competition "It's unbelievable," Godfroid said. "Probably the best day of and an exhibition by defending National Trials Champion Geoff Aaron, my life. You can't imagine my feeling. Winning in Namur has always been a dream for me, and when I discovered the track, I enjoyed the supermoto track. I had a good start in the first heat from the first row and The Motorcycle Safety Foundation again will mark the start of the spring riding season with May's "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" to help focus attention on training programs for motorcyclists and to ask that other motorists share the then did a consistent race, even road with riders. Motorcycle safety pro- if I stalled the engine in the last laps. Adrien Chareyre came really close, but I grams from state to state will coordinate focused on my lines to finish second overall behind Bartolini. "Sunday was different," he continued. "I got the holeshot, but I didn't found the good lines and was pretty nervous. I stalled the engine again, and Bolley passed me; then I could follow him, and I knew that another second place was enough to win the Gp, but he lost the front wheel and crashed, So I passed him back to win the event." Saturday's S I moto started later in the day, and when the riders left the gate, it was raining. Surprising Belgian Gilles Dejong grabbed the holeshot and led most of the race, with Thierry van den Bosch and Delepine pushing behind him. Dejong, who corner. Pushing hard behind Delepine, van den Bosch crashed on the second lap, and Chris Iddon couldn't avoid him. Fourth after this incident, VDB crashed again on the follOWing lap and lost many positions. Down in 14th place, he then made a strong ride, coming back to second place, behind Delepine, who was very excited about his overall victo- ry on home soil. "Sunday, my start was not the best, but I was in the top four," Delepine said. "I then did a safe race until the weather changed. When the rain came, I had more grip on the asphalt and came back on the leaders, passed van den Bosch and Dejong to win this first heat. Sunday, I was pretty nervous, as it's their own public awareness efforts, ranging from billboards to radio spots to media relations campaigns. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists May as a "special emphasis period" that focuses on traffic safety issues concerning motorcyclists. "Motorcyclists and other motorists should always think and practice safety, and also share the road," MSF president Tim Buche said. "But we and other organizations and the NHTSA have reserved Mayas a special time to bring attention to critical issues of highway safety, when two-, fourand more-wheelers start out on the busy spring and summer driving and riding season. More Americans from every demo- only raced National events last season, surprised everyone with fast and consistent laps until heavier showers came mid race. after the warmup. The track was different, but I got the holeshot, and when van den Bosch crashed behind me, I had a big gap and graphic group are riding motorcycles these days, So, if you're a car driver, please keep in mind that the motorcyclist in front of you or crossing that intersection could be your neighbor, your child's teacher, your doctor, Suddenly, Delepine increased his rhythm and passed van den Bosch on lap 16 and Dejong on lap 17 to clinch the moto win. Sunday, it was Delepine who got the holeshot, while Dejong crashed in the first could control the race. It's fantastic to win your local representative, anyone. We ask never easy to do the race four or five hours here in Namur. Igot my first double win here, and I want to thank the team and the fans who came to support us." Geoff Meyer that motorcyclists and all motorists respect each other's right of way. If you're a motorcyclist, get trained and stick to the vital rules of riding safely." Continued on page '5 CYCLE NEWS • MAY 25, 2005 11