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/146671
eM OSS oroeR AMA NationalChampionship125/25OccMXSeries: Rounds 6/Final ~ Jeff Stanton (2) was the early leader in both 250cc motos but couldn't hold off teammate Jean-Michel Bayle (1). Bayle was unstoppable in the Tro)' mud, winning both motos. Stanton w.ill carry the number-one plate in the 250cc class for the third time. Bayle wins, but Stanton's the champ By Kit Palmer Photos by Kinney Jones TROY, OH, JULY.26 n what looked more like a. closedcourse enduro competition than a motocross, Team Honda's JeanMichel Bayle in the 250cc class and Yamaha's Je£f Ernig in the I25cc division made the best of rain, mud and deep ruts to win at Kenworthy's MX Park, located in the middle of a com field just tWo ' miles south of Troy. But despite Bayle's winning effort, the day belonged to Jeff Stanton who won the 250cc title. Heavy rains on Saturday night combined with misty and humid conditions for most of Sunday left the flat grounds of Kenworthy's a giant mudbog, but for Bayle and Emig the quagmire was just a big playground. Bayle, a two-time World Champion, roosted to double moto wins for the overall victory in the 250cc class. Emig finished second in the first 125cc mudfest then blew everyone away in the second moto, taking the checkered flag more than 50 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. It was Bayle's first 250cc National win of the season and the second of his career, while Emig's win was both his second of the year and career. Emig won his first National at the previous round in Michigan on July 5. I 6 While Bayle and Emig celebrated 011: top of the podium, it was Honda's Stanton who sported the biggest grin at the end of the day, as he clinched his third-career National Championship 250cc MX Series title by finishing second in the first 250cc moto. With the title his" he then turned in another runnerup performance in the second.. The performance capped a three-week string during which he also earned his thirdcareer Camel Supercross Championship title and scored his third U.S. 250cc MX GP win at Unadilla. Stanton joins Rick Johnson and Tony DiStefano with three 250cc titles, and he is now just one title shy of Gary Jones who holds the record with four 250cc titles. Despite his latest accomplishments, Stanton is still corning off the high of clinching the supercross title at Los Angeles. "This (the 250cc National title) is nothing like the last one (the supercross title)," said Stanton. "The 250cc championship is still important and means a lot to me, but I ,had such a big points lead going into today's race, it just wasn't as exciting. I knew I had it."