The Lucas Oil Motocross Championship headed East for the first time in 2011 to Mount Morris, Pennsylvania for the thirty-fifth running of the High Point National. The first two rounds of motocross came back to back this year with only a short break for riders to really prepare for the outdoors following a grueling SX championship battle royal. Now with two races complete and a week off to prepare before High Point, some–including the man they call “The G.O.A.T.,” Ricky Carmichael–have been known to say that this is where the real racing starts.

RV2 - High Point - 2011 - 450- Motocross National - Mount morris
Ryan Villopoto would remind everyone why he is a three time AMA Motocross Champion at High Point. Photo by Hoppenworld

If it is true that the series starts at High Point, Monster Energy/Kawaski’s Ryan Villopoto must be feeling pretty good about Moto 1 on Saturday. After struggling in the first two rounds at Hangtown and Freestone, the man known as RV2 came out on fire in Moto 1. After starting behind the Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki of Ryan Dungey, Villopoto quickly went by the number one–after Dungey made a mistake–and pulled an old school 2008 Ryan Villopoto disappearing act on the field. It had to bring flashbacks of racing RV2 on 250’s to Dungey’s mind because once RV2 went by, he never saw the Kawasaki again. Dungey had a few good surges mid-moto, but nothing strong enough to catch sight of RV2. Although he  had company in the form of the Red/Bull KTM rider Mike Alessi early in the race, but in the end of Moto 1 it was RV2 and Dungey first and second.

At the back end of the top five, points-leader Chad Reed–on his Two-Two Motorsports/Honda–had a moto he just as soon forget. Starting outside the top ten, he never seemed to catch the fire we have seen thus far out of the Australian in 2011 outdoors. Reed was able to salvage a fifth in Moto 1 after battling guys like Jake Weimer and Davi Millsaps for thirty minutes.

Crossing the line third was Mike Alessi followed by JGR/Yamaha’s Davi Millsaps. Mike, in his first race back after a couple of concussions, looked awesome on the 450, but would be penalized for jumping the gate. Millsaps would take the last spot on the podium after Mike was relegated one spot back to fourth.

Mike Alessi - High Point - 2011 - 450- Motocross National - ama
Mike Alessi was back in more ways than one for round three. Mikey looked both mentally and physically prepared for round three in Mount Morris. Photo by Hoppenworld

Davi Millsaps may have been the lucky beneficiary of Alessi’s mistake, but he also ran one of the best races we have seen out of the number eighteen thus far. Starting back in about tenth, Davi would get passed by Reed early on, follow Reed up through the pack, and then pass the points-leader back later in the race. High Point makes two motos in a row on the podium for Davi, who previously was on an eighteen-race drought without one. Davi has been much criticized in the past for lack of effort, but in 2011, he seems he is putting everything he has into each and every moto.

All week long, rain was in the forecast for Saturday in Mount Morris, but after a dry morning, some thought it may actually miss High Point Raceway. Well, they were wrong, and mother nature unloaded on the beautiful Western Pennsylvania countryside during intermission, turning the track into a whole new beast for Moto 2. Before the gate fell, the rain had stopped, but the damage was already done. The track was a muddy, wet mess. When the gate fell and the forty riders came out of turn one, only one bike was recognizable. The number 800 KTM came out of turn one with the lead, clean goggles, and a clean race track in front of him. Mike Alessi took full advantage of the situation and checked out on the field.

 

Ryan Dungey - ama Motocross - High Point - 2011 - 450- Motocross National1
Ryan Dungey is the man underneath all that mud in moto 2. Photo by Hoppenworld

Unlike in Moto 1, though, Reedy had gotten good start and made his way forward riding smart motocross. First, he would get around a fallen Ryan Dungey for second, and on lap five, he would go by Mike Alessi for the lead the same way. Mikey was flying out front with a fifteen-second lead, but that lead was quickly thrown out the window when he hit the deck. Reed was the man with the plan in Moto 2, and that plan worked to perfection. He rode a controlled pace and, after going by all the carnage, would check out and win his fourth moto of the year finishing third overall with a 5-1 score on the day.

Behind Reedy, the first moto winner, Ryan Villopoto, rode a similarly controlled race. Ryan started just inside the top five, but looked to be struggling to find his speed early on in the slop. By mid-moto, the track was coming around and so was RV2. The factory Kawasaki pilot caught fire around lap seven, but by the time he got up to second position, Reed was thirteen seconds gone. Ryan would make a solid run at the lead and cut it down to four seconds at one point, but it was too little too late. He would finish second in Moto 2, but leave High Point with his first overall win of the year. If you had questions about whether or not RV2 would be a factor in 2011, those questions were answered at High Point with an emphatic yes.

 

Chad Reed - Mount Morris - High Point
Chad Reed would rebound for the moto 2 win after struggling in moto 1. Reedy now has four moto wins in 2011, and heads to Budds Creek fifteen points ahead of RV2. Photo by Hoppenworld

Finishing behind RV2 with a third in Moto 2 and a second overall was Ryan Dungey. Ryan, after going down early, rode a vintage Dungey second moto. He would remount back in fifth and, like a fine-tuned machine, work his way forward for thirty-plus two. Late in the race, he would catch and pass Alessi for third and finish the moto up on the podium. Finishing fourth overall was Mike Alessi. After missing the first two outdoor races of the year, nobody knew if Mike would suit up for round three, but after seeing Mike go out in the first session of qualifying and lay down the third fastest time, we had our answer. At the end of the day, Mikey showed everyone that he came into 2011 more than ready to fight. Behind Mike and finishing fifth overall was Davi Millsaps with a 3-9 score on the day. With guys like RV2, Mike Alessi and Davi Millsaps showing their going to fight for every position, the 2011 motocross championship is looking more exciting by the minute. What after two rounds looked like a two man fight, is now shaping up into a possible four to five man war. Next stop, Budds Creek!

 

450 Podium - High Point - 2011 - 450- Motocross National
Ryan Villopoto has got to feel good back in the middle of the box. Chad Reed (left) Ryan Dungey (Right) Photo by Hoppenworld

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Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.