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/1529190
est course ever at the Havasu Is- land MX Park, which has always been the tightest on the sched- ule. And that helps attract some East Coast racers who normally shy away from West Coast races, as they deem them dangerously fast. So, besides Barbosa this year, Lyndon Snodgrass also made the trip, as did a number of test riders from Motocross Action Magazine. When Alex Rodriguez of the Vikings turned on the green light, FMF KTM Factory Off-Road Rac- ing Team's Mateo Oliveira got his Red Bull/Motorex/Alpinestars- backed 450 XC-F fired up and into the first turn in front. He led the opening lap despite missing one turn, though he didn't lose position, as those behind fol- lowed him. But he tucked the front end after the pits at the end of that lap, which let several others pass. Among them was Snodgrass aboard his Monster Energy/ Precision Concepts/Fly Racing Husky FC 250 (and entered in Open Pro), who led for about 25 minutes before Barbosa—fresh from the GNCCs for Phoenix Racing Honda and who decided to enter just two weeks ago— grabbed the front-running spot aboard that borrowed Copec/ Pirelli/Moose Racing CRF450RX. Having struggled with injury for half the year and going it on his own now motivated him tre- mendously. Trailing only Redondi with about 20 minutes to go, he said, "I had a huge crash with almost three laps to the finish, so that cost me any chance at first place. I can say I'm happy none- theless, and we will see what we can do for a ride next year." DeMartile had second in points locked up but wanted to add a second triumph for the season aboard his Fiji Water/FMF/Sidi 480 RR but found the going hectic yet fun. He said, "It was me, Ma- teo, Austin Walton, Redondi, Jack Simpson—we were bunched up in a group of four or five pretty tight, so that was really fun racing! As chaotic as it was, it was fun." But no one could deny that Re- dondi had the most fun over the weekend. He kicked it off on Sat- urday by speeding to his eighth WIND IN THE P46 Having locked up the Pro II championship at Blythe didn't make Mason Semmens (pictured) complacent. He battled hard with Parker Ross for much of the race before pulling away for his sixth victory of the season.