After a summer break of almost four weeks, the FIM Motocross World Championship re-ignites this weekend with round 11, the Belgian GP at Limburg, in the unforgiving, deep sand of Lommel.

New Zealand’s Josh Coppins (Aprilia) is currently 14th in the championship standings, not a position he’s too comfortable with after being among the top 10 for the previous six editions of the championship.

The Kiwi has even finished as high as world No.2 on two occasions is used to challenging for the podium.

But, with four non-scoring races in his 20 outings thus far, the man from Motueka knows that luck hasn’t been on his side this season.

However, on the plus side of the ledger, Coppins knows that a couple of solid races now will thrust him right back into the top 10. He is just five points behind French rider Anthony Boissiere (TM) and nine points behind South African Gareth Swanepoel (Honda).

Coppins finished third overall on the day in his last appearance, at round five of the British Motocross Championships at Foxhills last weekend. He came home 4-3-3 in his MX1 races, finishing the day behind Russian rider Evgeny Bobryshev (Honda) and Scotsman Stephen Sword (CCM) but ahead of British defending champion Brad Anderson (Honda).

Defending world champion Antonio Cairoli, of Italy leads the world standings and, barring a disaster, looks like earning KTM the No.1 plate.

Belgian Suzuki riders Clement Desalle and Steve Ramon sit in second and fourth positions respectively in the MX1 class standings.

Two-thirds of the way through the 2010 contest, Desalle is having a stellar first season with the team and has not dropped out of the top six in the 18 motos from 20 that he has completed. The double ’0-0′ for round three at Valkenswaard, after an early crash led to a dislocated right shoulder, did proved costly to his championship aspirations and the 21-year-old needs to reduce a deficit of 67 points to leader Cairoli … only 250 points are still available in the remaining five rounds.

“I live 200km from Lommel, so it is not really a home GP! Lommel has a lot of bumps so it is hard for us as well as the motorcycles; a tough track,” said Desalle, who set pole position at the circuit in 2009 and was fifth overall (taking second place in the first moto). “It is a nice change from hard-pack and I like sand, but the body usually aches after this GP.”

Lommel is a familiar course to many of the Grand Prix fraternity who base themselves in the Benelux region during the season for practice and training. The flat and challenging layout is renowned for its physical and technical demands and rewards the most skilled and fittest exponents of sand-riding.

Unfortunately the general weather forecast for the weekend is not too positive with cloudy conditions on Saturday and showers on Sunday.

MX1 World Championship standings (after 10 of 15 rounds):

1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 434 points;

2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 367;

3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 331;

4. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 315;

5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 306;

6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 276;

7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Yamaha), 269;

8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 223;

9. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), 219;

10. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Honda), 196;

11. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki) 161;

12. Gareth Swanepoel (RSA, Honda) 149;

13. Anthony Boissiere (FRA, TM) 145;

14. Josh Coppins (NZL, Aprilia) 140;

15. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM) 124.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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The Plumbing World New Zealand Moto Trials Championships 2010 are fast creeping up the calendar.

Mark the weekend of Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th October for this annual event.

That’s when the Pioneer Motorcycle Club will hold the championships on public and private property in Canterbury.

For all enquiries, please contact: Derek Scott at 03 3544243

E-mail: info@pioneertrials.co.nz

Click 2010 Moto Trials National Championships for the entry form.

Click 2010 Moto Trial Naional Championshp Supplementry Rules for the supplementary regulations.

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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It’s only about eight weeks until the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations at Thunder Valley, Colorado, in the United States and Ireland has named its line-up of riders for the big event.

After a unanimous decision, team manager Stephen Russell has revealed that Gordon Crockard (MX1), Martin Barr (MX2) and Stuart Edmonds (MX3) will represent Ireland on September 26 with Robert Hamilton travelling as first reserve.

MX1

For Gordon Crockard (PBM Kawasaki)(pictured above), gaining team selection will no doubt be a welcoming prospect. Having been a regular member of the Irish squad since his debut at Nismes, Belgium in 1997, Crockard’s return to form this season has been outstanding since his near career-ending accident in 2008.

MX2

Martin Barr (PAR Honda) always delivers at International competition. Since holeshotting his debut ride for Ireland at Ernee, France in 2005 until his fourth place finish in last year’s B-Final in Italy, Barr has always shown himself to be an asset for the team. Combined with his performance this season were he currently leads the MX2 Red Bull Pro Nationals along with sitting third overall in the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship makes his selection an easy decision.

MX3

Completing the line up is Stuart Edmonds (TM). The reigning MX1 and MX2 Irish champion first made his appearance for Ireland at the Red Bull Motocross of Nations at Donnington Park, 2008. Gaining selection again last year only to forego his place due to injury, Edmonds will be eager to prove his worth on the world stage at Thunder Valley.

Team manager Stephen Russell: “I’m very happy with the selection we’ve made to represent Ireland at this year’s Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations. It’s always going to be a difficult decision to choose the right riders for the job but I am confident that this year we’ve got it right. Both Gordon and Martin have shown outstanding form this season. They have invaluable experience competing at this unique event and with Martin currently leading the MX2 Red Bull Pro Nationals made it an easy decision. When Stuart last rode for the team in 2008 he impressed me with how well he preformed and coped with the jump-laden circuit. With the race being staged in America I expect the circuit to be of a similar nature and have every confidence that he’ll represent his country to the best of his ability.”

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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It may have been six years since New Zealand’s Darryll King last won a major national title in Australia but the clock was rolled back at the weekend when he made it Australian motocross title No.4.

The Hamilton man won the prestigious open class titles across the Tasman on three separate occasions – in 2001, 2003 and 2004 – and he returned at the weekend to snatch away the over-40s veterans’ crown, an official championship for the first time this season.

The 41-year-old raced his Yamaha YZ450F to a hat-trick of wins at the Coolum circuit, this inaugural veterans’ championship sharing the programme with the eighth and final round of the open class (MX1), pro lites (MX2) and under-19s championships.

“In the end I did it fairly easily but there are still some very fast riders at the top of their game in the veterans’ racing,” said King, who had earlier this season also raced a Yamaha YZ250 in the pro lites championship.

“It was a neat track and (promoter) Kevin Williams does a great job. I always get fantastic support from Yamaha over there too. All in all, it was a brilliant weekend.”

Meanwhile, fellow Yamaha rider Cameron Taylor won the 35-40 years’ veterans’ title with a similar display of dominance, taking a clean sweep of moto wins.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Full story  in your next issue of KIWI RIDER magazine.

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New Zealand’s Kayne Lamont is going from strength to strength.

Lamont won the two main classes at the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championship near Blenheim in April, then immediately afterwards boarded an international flight.

The 17-year-old from Mangakino, in the Central North Island, headed off to Europe to follow in the wheels-tracks of men such as Motueka’s Josh Coppins and Tauranga’s Ben Townley.

His aim has been to “live the dream” as he seeks out motocross fame and fortune in the European hotbed of the sport.

Now based in England, the Suzuki GB rider (who is sponsored by Mount Maunganui’s MotoGB in New Zealand) has been flitting to and fro across the English Channel to tackle several rounds of the European 125cc championships (EMX125).

He scored solid points at the latest round of that series in Sweden, finishing 11th and 15th, placing him 14th overall for the day.

The confidence boost from that outstanding result propelled the Kiwi to a new level and, just one week later, he put himself on the top step of the podium, this time at round six of the Red Bull British 125cc Championships at the Howton Court circuit in Pontrilas, south Herefordshire, close to the Welsh border.

He was again in action in England on Saturday and Sunday, this time challenging the elite of the MXY2 class at round five of the British Motocross Championships at Foxhills, in Swindon.

Making his debut in the MXY2 class, Lamont stormed to the top of the qualifying rankings, humbling current championship leader Connor Walkley (Team Green Kawasaki) and other British stars Tom Kelly (DB Racing Honda), Matt Bayliss (Wooldridge Honda) and Matt Burrows (Rob Hooper Suzuki).

For racing proper, Lamont took his RM125 to the front of the pack, eventually winning the race ahead of Walkley and that really set the tongues wagging.

“The commentator said it was the first time in his memory that a 125cc two-stroke had won a race in this class – the racing here open to 125cc two-strokes and 250cc four-stroke bikes,” said Lamont’s father, Stuart.

“He said that hadn’t been done since (French world champion) Sebastien Tortelli had done that about 15 years ago.”

Lamont had a more difficult second race and had to settle for runner-up spot, behind Walkley, meaning the young New Zealander had to settle for overall runner-up on the day because of the count-back rule – with the highest-placed rider in the last race getting the nod.

“Kayne is feeling really comfortable with the Suzuki and we now head back to Belgium tomorrow before heading across to the Czech Republic to tackle round six of the EMX125 Championships on August 8.”

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo is now well on his way to winning the MotoGP title this year.

He won the weekend’s US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca and ballooned his championship lead out to 72 points over main rival and fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa.

After Lorenzo’s Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi broke his leg at Mugello, Sunday’s US GP might well have produced the second defining moment in the 2010 MotoGP title chase.

Lorenzo arrived in America with a 47-point lead over Honda’s Pedrosa, who looked in with an excellent chance of claiming his third victory of the season as he led the first 11 laps of the race.

But Lorenzo became ever more threatening and was almost within striking distance of Pedrosa by lap 12 of 32, when the Honda rider suddenly lost the front of his RCV and crashed out of the lead.

It was a pivotal moment, being the first time either rider had crashed out of a race this season.

“It was clever to push Dani to the limit but not easy as well because Jorge is the championship leader and he had the most to lose, he really had to ride at the maximum to do this,” said Fiat Yamaha team manager Wilco Zeelenberg.

Pedrosa’s mistake handed Lorenzo a sixth victory from nine starts and a huge 72 point title lead heading into the mid-season summer break.

“We’re happy Dani isn’t hurt and now we have an amazing 72-point lead as we break for the half-way point of the championship,” Zeelenberg added.

After Pedrosa’s accident, Ducati’s Casey Stoner finished second with Lorenzo’s recovering team-mate, Rossi, in third.

Lorenzo celebrated his latest victory by dressing up in a NASA-type spacesuit and performing a mock moon-walk through the corkscrew gravel, where he planted his Lorenzo Land flag.

“I am so happy to win here at Laguna Seca, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of,” said Lorenzo, who had been injured in his two previous US GP appearances.

“I rode so well today, right on the limit and I had to push very hard to stay in touch with Dani.

“He is always so strong on race day but I knew if I kept the pressure on him then there was a chance he would make a mistake and I would be able to catch him.

“I’m sorry he crashed but from then on it was very easy for me because I had a big gap from Casey.

“I have a big lead in the championship but there is half of the season left and it wouldn’t be the first time a rider has lost the title with such a big lead, so we can’t take anything for granted.

“I am really looking forward to some time to relax now after two very busy months. Thanks to everyone in my team for doing a brilliant job.”

Round 10 of the 2010 championship takes place at Brno on August 15.

US Grand Prix results:

1.  Jorge Lorenzo  ESP Fiat Yamaha Team  43m 54.873s

2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 43m 58.39s

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 44m 8.293s

4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 44m 9.061s

5. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 44m 9.474s

6. Ben Spies USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 44m 13.91s

7. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 44m 35.594s

8. Marco Melandri ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 44m 42.092s

9. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 44m 47.686s

10. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 44m 47.687s

11. Roger Lee Hayden USA LCR Honda MotoGP 45m 8.962s

12. Alex de Angelis RSM Interwetten Honda MotoGP 45m 9.539s

DNF:

Aleix Espargaro ESP Pramac Racing

Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini

Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team 998m 0s

Hector Barbera ESP Paginas Amarillas Aspar

Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP

STANDINGS after 9 rounds:

1       Jorge Lorenzo      Fiat Yamaha Team 210

2       Dani Pedrosa       Repsol Honda Team 138

3       Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team 115

4       Casey Stoner      Ducati Marlboro Team 103

5       Valentino Rossi    Fiat Yamaha Team 90

6       Nicky Hayden      Ducati Marlboro Team 89

7       Ben Spies   Monster Yamaha Tech3 77

8       Randy de Puniet  LCR Honda 69

9       Marco Melandri    San Carlo Honda Gresini 53

10     Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini 49

11     Colin Edwards     Monster Yamaha Tech3 48

12     Hector Barbera    Aspar Racing Team 41

13     Loris Capirossi     Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 36

14     Mika Kallio Pramac Racing Team 31

15     Alex Espargaro    Pramac Racing Team 28

16     Alvaro Bautista    Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 25

17     Hiroshi Aoyama   Interwetten Honda MotoGP 18

18     Alex de Angelis    Interwetten Honda 8

19     Roger Lee Hayden        LCR Honda 5

20     Kousuke Akiyoshi Interwetten Honda MotoGP 4

21     Wataru Yoshikawa        Fiat Yamaha Team 1

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Four of the top 10 under-19 riders in Australia were New Zealanders this season.

The 2010 Australian MX Nationals wrapped up with the final round of the series at Coolum in Queensland at the weekend, with perhaps most race fans across the Tasman focussing on what was happening in the under-19 class.

Coastal KTM Team rider and Kilmore local Josh Cachia won the title but there were four Kiwi riders inside the top 10 and it probably could have been — or should have been — even more.

Warkworth’s Hamish Dobbyn (Suzuki) had been in line for a podium finish as he ran with the leaders at the early rounds of the series but, sadly, an injury forced him to the sidelines after four rounds. He eventually claimed 14th overall.

Instead, the best Kiwi finisher was Rotorua’s John Phillips (Honda), who finished 12-4-6 at Coolum and claimed sixth spot overall for the championship.

Taupo’s Cameron Dillon (Honda) was the best-performed Kiwi at Coolum, finishing 6-3-3, to take a final ranking of No.8.

Cambridge’s Kieran Leigh (Yamaha) was 9-10-8 at the weekend and finished with a ranking of seventh, while Waitakere’s Ethan Martens (KTM) placed 7-13-10 on Sunday and took the No.9 spot in the championship.

But Cachia was a dominant force in the Under-19s class in 2010, and he clinched the win with one race to spare.

Absent from the podium on only one occasion throughout the series, Cachia had a massive points lead heading in to the penultimate round, however a bad day in the office saw the gap close to only 11 points ahead of Tasmanian Ross Beaton (Yamaha).

Despite making solid inroads on Cachia’s points lead, Beaton was unable to capitalise during races on Saturday at the final round, letting Cachia slip away – stretching out to a massive 41 points ahead of him.

With racing underway on Sunday it was Beaton’s team-mates Harley Quinlan and Shaun Redhead who challenged Cachia, with Beaton unable to find the same speed.

As Beaton secured his place in second, Quinlan set about putting as many points as possible between himself and fourth-placed Dylan Peterson.

Cachia wrapped up the championship in the second to last race, with Beaton staying strong in second with Quinlan locking in third place.

Speaking after the race, Cachia was thrilled to finally take the title win and was looking forward to stepping up into the Pro Lites class in 2011.

“It’s so good to be able to go out there and win for Bronte Holland and Sharky [Andrew McFarlane] – two people I’m close to who have died,” Cachia said.

“I’ve been working so hard this year; all the hours out at the track and it’s all paid off.

“I can’t wait to step up into the Pro Lites class next year and see what I’m capable of doing.”

While disappointed with his second place, Beaton was still grateful for all the efforts his team has put in.

“Second place is still pretty good – I am a little bit disappointed but I definitely gave everything,” Beaton said.

“There’s no excuse for coming second, I tried my best and fell a little bit short.

“I can’t take anything away from Josh though, he rode great all season and he matured a lot this year.”

Final under-19 championship standings:

1. Josh Cachia (KTM) 540 points

2. Ross Beaton (Yamaha) 483

3. Harley Quinlan (Yamaha)  450

4. Dylan Peterson (Honda) 414

5. Matthew Phillips (Honda) 363

6. John Phillips (NZ, Honda) 303

7. Kieran Leigh (NZ, Yamaha) 302

8. Cameron Dillon (NZ, Honda) 287

9. Ethan Martens (NZ, KTM) 261

10. Errol Willis (Yamaha) 247.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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Yamaha’s Jay Marmont wrapped up his third Pro Opens Championship at the final round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink Australian Motocross Nationals at Coolum on Sunday.

In the back-to-back Super Sprint format, Marmont – who had secured a 38-point lead in racing on Saturday — brought the title down to the wire with a 20-second penalty and protest during the second Super Sprint race, tightening the points even further.

Marmont ended the day with a scorecard of 5-7-2-3 earning him third overall – easily enough to take the championship.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Cody Cooper (Suzuki) crashed to the sideline at this final round, therefore slipping from fourth to seventh overall at the end of the championship.

It had been a mixed season for the Kiwi hero, who had won round six and been on the third step of the podium at round seven, and the final No.7 position was a long way short of the placing he deserved.

But consistency wins titles and that’s just how it panned out for Marmont, absent from the podium on only one occasion this season.

Marmont only took his first overall win at the seventh round of the series.

Finding form and working out bike setting towards the end of the series, Marmont became a dominant force, challenging for race wins and stamping his authority on the title.

It’s the first time a rider has won three consecutive titles since Marmont’s team boss Craig Dack won three back-to-back Mr Motocross Titles when he was racing.

Speaking after the final moto, Marmont was relieved to have taken the win following the drama of the second moto.

“I made the ultimate mistake out there,” Marmont said.

“I had Dean (Ferris) come up on me and I was going flat out racing him and wasn’t thinking about the jump, and then I couldn’t pull out – I was on the up-ramp and just committed to it.

“I had to try sprinting off but I paid a 20 second penalty and there was a bit of scrutiny over how long it was – but hey, what’s two seconds when you come in for 20, so it was a tough day.

“I had a lot of pressure on me and it was good to come away with a third for the round but still win the championship fairly easily in the end.

“It’s every riders’ dream to win a championship and the whole team have worked really hard – the bike was awesome the last few rounds, and I think we’re the first Yamaha team to win a championship in the world on the new 450 – so I’m pumped!”

Cool Air Kawasaki Racing Team’s Billy Mackenzie secured second place in the championship after a mixed season which included a broken wrist and a severe chest infection.

The Scottish rider looked to dominate the class, however a crash at the second round saw him desperately chasing points to claw his way back into the title fight.

“All I could do was just come into the last couple of rounds and try to win as many races as I could,” Mackenzie said.

“I made it really hard for myself last week; I was ill and had a bad chest infection which made for a horrendous weekend and pretty much lost me the Championship.

“But Jay is a strong rider and he’s been strong all year so he deserves the Championship thoroughly so I have to give it up to him.”

Both Marmont and Mackenzie faced stiff competition from Honda privateer Ferris, who, in his debut season in the Pro Opens class, impressed the field with his speed and consistency.

Ferris was blown away with his third overall and with the support he’s received throughout the season.

“It was a great day out there, it’s good to see all the supporters here – I didn’t even know they were coming and they came with Ferris shirts and I saw them swinging over the fence which was awesome!” Ferris said.

“It was a good day all round, I won a moto but I lost my brakes in the second race and Jay got me, but, overall I’m pretty happy, I’d like to thank my family and all my friends for coming.”

As the highest placed privateer in the Pro Opens class, Ferris also took out the 2010 Andrew ‘Sharky’ McFarlane Memorial Cup – in honour of the rider who passed away at the third round of the Championship.

Series Director Kevin Williams was blown away by the championship finale after a massive season.

“A championship that struggled to gain momentum following the tragic passing of Andrew McFarlane at the Broadford round, has certainly found its wheels and rolled into a massive final round,” Williams said.

“All the championship classes were decided at the final round, five new Australian champions – it has been sensational!

“Williams Event Management would like to extend a massive thank you to all the clubs, volunteers, and all the fans for coming out and all the teams for a great effort.”

Final championship points:

1. Jay Marmont (Yamaha) 495 points

2. Billy Mackenzie (Kawasaki) 482

3. Dean Ferris (Honda) 465

4. Tye Simmonds (KTM) 431

5. Cheyne Boyd (Yamaha) 416

6. Todd Waters (Honda) 365

7. Cody Cooper (NZ, Suzuki) 354

8. Daniel McCoy (KTM) 297

9. Lewis Woods (Honda) 255

10. Beau Ralston (KTM) 242

© Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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American import PJ Larsen has won the Pro Lites class at the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink Australian Motocross Nationals.

The JDR Motorex KTM rider dominated the series and took the title win with one day to spare at the massive double-header round.

Larsen, from California, put the Australian riders on notice at the opening round at Horsham, his raw speed in the rough conditions setting the standard for the remainder of the Championship.

Only needing a handful of points to take the championship win, Larsen rode consistently, securing victory with three races to spare.

One of the few riders to challenge Larsen was Mt Gambier local and Serco Yamaha rider Kirk Gibbs who placed second in the championship.

Gibbs continued to improve all season and was consistently one of the fastest in the field – with one race to go he had secured second place in the championship.

Gibbs’ team-mate and local rider Ford Dale battled with the injured JDR Motorex KTM rider for the remaining podium place, however after injuring himself during Saturday’s racing, Marmont just didn’t have the speed.

Dale passed him in the second to last race and rode strongly to secure his place in the top three in the Pro Lites championship.

New Zealand’s Michael Phillips (Honda) also impressed during the series but, ultimately, he had to be satisfied with finishing seventh overall.

The New Zealand MX2 champion, who was sixth overall with three top-10 race results early on, ended the day 14th after crashing out of the final race.

“I felt good and fast but I just couldn’t turn it into a result today,” Phillips lamented.

“I crashed hard in the final race and was unable to continue as I tore open the stitches in my elbow.

“Unfortunately, I have had an up and down season, but I can’t thank the team enough for their support and I was glad to be a part of it,” he concluded.

Speaking after his win on Saturday, Larsen was pumped with the win but sad not to be able to come back in 2011 to defend his title.

“2010 Pro Lites champion – that sounds really good!” Larsen said.

“I’m glad we could accomplish this and I couldn’t have done it without the entire team – everyone has been working so hard so it’s great to get the team their first championship.

“I’m glad I got to run the number one plate in the final day of racing, as it will be my only opportunity to run it and it felt pretty good.

“Everyone has been great competition – the Serco guys, they proved it out there, they’re great competition, and they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with next year.

“I think I might be glad I’m leaving and not have to deal with them again because those guys are picking up and they’re going to be strong.

“I wish I could stick around a little bit more and who knows; you might see me back here in a few years which would be good.”

In his first overall podium finish Gibbs was stoked with his second place.

“I’m happy as, it’s final starting to sink in – coming second in the Championship,” Gibbs said.

“Hats of to PJ and the JDR Team – he rode awesome, well done to Ford, getting third overall and Lawson [Bopping] rode well too.

“I’m just stoked to come away with a few race wins this weekend and really happy for the team.”

Local rider Dale was happy to get on the podium and was pleased with his consistency.

“This is awesome – finally consistency pays off, – people have been trying to tell me that all year and obviously it works!” Dale said.

“It’s awesome to get the team up here again, and to win a few races.

“Having my family and friends out here is fantastic and the crowd is great and I really have to thank everyone for helping me out this season.”

Final Pro Lites Championship standings:

1. PJ Larsen (KTM) 535 points;

2. Kirk Gibbs (Yamaha) 470

3. Ford Dale (Yamaha) 413

4. Ryan Marmont (KTM) 387

5. Lawson Bopping (Suzuki) 380

6. Cody Mackie (Kawasaki) 332

7. Michael Phillips (NZ, Honda) 296

8. Luke Styke (Yamaha) 291

9. Kade Mosig (Suzuki) 289

10. Luke George (Kawasaki) 258

Photo by Kjax Communications

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Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey swept the motos to earn his seventh straight 450 class overall victory at round eight of the AMA Pro Motocross championship at Washougal Motocross Park at the weekend.

It wasn’t good news for one of his main rivals however, with New Zealand’s Ben Townley (Honda) crashing out of the first 450cc race, suffering concussion and injuring his shoulder. He did not line up for the day’s second race.

The former MX2 world champion had this season been on the comeback following a serious shoulder injury sustained in the United States in 2007 and it had been a meteoric return, with the Kiwi hero up to third overall in the championship chase before Saturday’s disaster.

“I banged my right shoulder pretty hard when I went down and could not lift it to grab onto the bars,” said Townley. “It’s bruised pretty badly so will have to give it a few days of rest and hopefully by the middle of the week I can assess if it will be possible to ride.  We have two free weekends until Unadilla so I’m quite confident I will be good to go,” he said.

Townley has slipped to fifth in the rankings with just four rounds remaining.

For Dungey, though, it was business as usual on Saturday.

It was his 12th victory in the past 14 motos and Dungey (pictured above) has now extended his championship lead to 95 points over Honda’s Andrew Short.

Short, of Texas, was the 450cc class runner-up at the weekend and Australian Brett Metcalfe, on another Honda, took third overall.

Dungey now has earned 368 points to Short’s 273 as the series starts a two-weekend break, resuming again at Unadilla, where Yamaha’s James Stewart is expected to make his return.

Short, meanwhile, continues to tear up the starts, taking the holeshot in both motos, but the Honda Red Bull rider couldn’t hold off Dungey. He finished runner-up in both motos.

Metcalfe finished the day on the podium. He rode among the leaders the whole way in the first moto but had to come from behind after crashing early in the second moto. He rode from way back to finish fifth, which gave him just enough points to stay ahead of Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Tommy Hahn for the day.

Hahn finished second in the first moto and was pressuring Short for second when the chequered flag came out in the second moto. His 7-3 gave him fourth for the day.

Rounding out the top five overall was Kawasaki’s Nick Wey who put in one of his best rides of the season. He finished 10th in the first moto but improved on that by four positions in the second moto.

Meanwhile, Honda’s Trey Canard swept both 250 class motos to capture his third-straight win in that division.

Series points leader Christophe Pourcel, of France, finished second overall with a pair of runner-up finishes. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider got off to a bad start in the first moto and had to work his way to the front, using up a lot of energy on this hot day.

Pourcel got off the line much better in the second moto, but just didn’t have enough in the tank to catch Canard. He again lost significant points to Canard but still leads the class championship by 38 points over Canard.

Pourcel’s team-mate Tyla Rattray joined Canard and Pourcel on the podium, his steady 4-3 giving him third overall.

Honda’s Blake Wharton rode well in the heat and finished a consistent 5-4 to get fourth overall, nipping Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson by virtue of his better second-moto finish (both riders earned 30 points on the day).

Wilson might have done better had he not fallen in the first moto. He went 6-6 on the day.

Wilson’s team-mate Jake Weimer suffered a similar fate. He finished a strong third in the first moto only to fall while running near the front in the second moto. His 3-11 gave him sixth overall.

Eli Tomac, Tommy Searle, Vince Friese and Martin Davalos rounded out the top 10 overall.

RESULTS:

450cc Class

1. Ryan Dungey (Suz) 1-1

2. Andrew Short (Hon) 2-2

3. Brett Metcalfe (Hon) 3-5

4. Tommy Hahn (Suz) 7-3

5. Nick Wey (Kaw) 10-6

6. Ryan Sipes (Yam) 5-11

7. Kevin Windham (Hon) 9-9

8. Kyle Chisholm (Yam) 8-10

9. Dan Reardon (Yam) 12-7

10. Kyle Cunningham (Yam) 11-8

11. Mike Alessi (KTM) 6-13

12. Josh Grant (Yam) 4-16

13. Justin Brayton (Yam) 17-4

14. Weston Peick (Yam) 16-12

15. Ben Evans (Kaw) 15-18

Leading standings after eight of 12 rounds:

1. Dungey 368 points;

2. Short 273;

3. Metcalfe 257;

4. Grant 238;

5. Townley 223;

6. Alessi 219;

7. Chad Reed 204;

8. Sipes 166;

9. Chisholm 158;

10. Kyle Regal 157.

250cc Class

1. Trey Canard (Hon) 1-1

2. Christophe Pourcel (Kaw) 2-2

3. Tyla Rattray (Kaw) 4-3

4. Blake Wharton (Hon) 5-4

5. Dean Wilson (Kaw) 6-6

6. Jake Weimer (Kaw) 3-11

7. Eli Tomac (Hon) 7-9

8. Tommy Searle (KTM) 10-7

9. Vince Friese (Yam) 12-12

10. Martin Davalos (Yam) 22-5

11. Nico Izzi (Yam) 9-18

12. Darryn Durham (Hon) 38-8

13. Tommy Weeck (Hon) 15-14

14. Travis Baker (Yam) 8-37

15. Les Smith (Hon) 17-13

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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