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/1367911
FLAT TRACK PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN FL AT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 3 / MAY 1, 2021 ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY / HAMPTON, GEORGIA P114 Briefly... SIPES VS. PASTRANA A race for eighth place with one dollar on the line doesn't typically merit special mention, but they don't typically involve a pair of future Hall of Famers, either. Ryan Sipes and Travis Pastrana—who have each made careers out of not only being great but being great across disciplines—waged the first in a three-day series of mano-a-mano showdowns at the Atlanta Super TT. GasGas-mounted Sipes won round one, finishing one position ahead of the KTM-armed Pastrana. Both riders acquitted themselves quite nicely, however, mixing it up toward the front of a deep and talented pack all day. This, despite just dab- bling as dirt trackers before moving on to a GNCC National the following day, and a pit bike battle the day after that. The two also helped to el- evate the entertainment value of the event, working the mic like a pair of veteran professional wrestlers, and Pastrana even pulling off a surprise backflip aboard his race bike during opening ceremonies sion and winning the dash. It's just relief, but that relief feels amazing. "The team has worked so hard. They put in so much work and there's no hiding [the fact] that last year, at least for the Twins, was a disaster. So, to come in tonight and have the whole team do so well is great." With Beach having disap- peared off the line, there were still plenty of haymakers thrown in a heavyweight tilt for second. champion road racer made his initial escape in the opening run through the dirt. And by the time they got to the pavement for a second time, the race was effectively over. "I'm excited, but I'm more relieved," Beach admitted. "Like the excitement almost isn't even there. I've had so much pres- sure going into this race, and especially after having the test day and leading every session, and today leading every ses- Dalton Gauthier was second in production twins.