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/78404
VOL. 49 ISSUE 29 JULY 24, 2012 P97 LOOKING BACK Now: X Games 2012 The early AMA EnduroCross events seemed to be all about X Games. Whether or not they intended to race the entire championship or not, racers lined up for the chance to qualify for X Games – particularly in the women's class. The high level of prestige, the qualifying process, and having a lon- ger time frame to train all helped up the game of Women's Enduro X competi- tion. The friendlier course layout with a few on-the-fly modifications for the girls went a long way, as well. In the end, I was not only relieved, but proud to see a much better show this summer. A three-way battle for the lead was anything but predictable as Maria Forsberg, Louise Forsley and Tarah Gieger battled it out. It was plain to see how difficult it was, but what also came across was the level of skill it takes to negotiate a course like that. Industry insiders didn't need to see it – we already know. It's Joe Public that needed a better understanding of En- duroCross, and I think they got it this year. A great show for the masses, a heavy dose of publicity for sponsors and a fat wad of cash for the athletes is the best any promoter can shoot for, and after a year and two events, X Games and AMA EnduroCross promot- ers were able to provide that for female off-roaders. Their accomplishment at this year's X Games felt like my own. Though I'm perfectly aware I'll never be anywhere near as talented as Forsberg or Tarah Gieger, I've never been proud- er to "ride like a girl." CN 40 Years Ago August 14, 1972 We covered the Santa Fe Short Track that was won by Ossa-mounted rider Barry Ger- ald. In fact, two Ossa riders made the podi- um with Darryl Hurst finishing third. Yamaha- mounted Don Castro was second… We also had a report on Chuck Palmgren's win at the Indy Mile… We tested the 125cc Hodaka Wombat. We said it was a good, down-to-earth trail bike, which sold for $665… Our "Presstime Bulletin" made note of Yvon DuHamel's win and Kawasaki's 1-2 finish at the Talledega 200. 30 Years Ago August 4, 1982 A photo of CN editor Karel Kramer aboard Kawasaki's latest KX250 motocrosser, which sold for $2079, was featured on the cover 30 years ago… Ricky Graham was number one at the DuQuoin Mile… Ricky Johnson rode a Pro-Tec Yamaha to victory at the CMC/White Brothers Four-Stroke MX Championships. 20 Years Ago July 29, 1992 Damon Bradshaw leading the pack at the Undadilla 250cc U.S. GP graced the front page 20 years ago, but it was Jeff Stanton who won both motos. Doug Henry won the 125cc Support class… Eddie Lawson gave Cagiva its first-ever Grand Prix win on a wet, then dry, track in Hungary… The Hayden family cleaned up at the AMA Amateur/ Youth Dirt Track Championship in Illinois… Brian Anderson topped the Pike's Peak Hillclimb in Colorado. 10 Years Ago July 24, 2002 Laguna winners Troy Bayliss, Eric Bostrom and Colin Edwards all grabbed a piece of the cover 10 years ago… Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart won again at the Troy, Ohio, National MX… Brian Garrahan won the Funky Chicken National Hare Scrambles in Oregon… Fred Crosset won the National Trials in Tennessee.