Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Heads to Colorado
Lakewood’s Thunder Valley MX Park Will Challenge Riders in Mile High Altitude
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewarthas started the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, perfectly, winning all four motos through the first two rounds of competition. On Saturday, June 2, Stewart will bring his undefeated record into the mile high altitude of Colorado for the third race of the season from Lakewood’s Thunder Valley MX Park and the Toyota Thunder Valley National.
The beginning of Stewart’s relationship with Factory Suzuki could not be going any better. Despite being away from Nationals competition for the past three seasons, Stewart has re-acclimated himself to the rough and rugged nature of the series flawlessly. Last weekend in Texas, the 2008 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Champion refused to give in to the relentless pressure being applied by Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, fending off his rival to start the season with back-to-back overall victories.
Dungey has kept Stewart honest throughout the season. In Texas, he was arguably faster than Stewart, but was unable to complete a pass for the lead in either moto. Despite that, his pair of runner-up efforts to start the championship have also gotten his first season with the Factory KTM effort off on a high note. This weekend, Dungey will look to give the Austrian brand its first 450 Class win at a track where he serves as the defending race winner.
At last season’s Thunder Valley event, Dungey went bar-to-bar with eventual champion Ryan Villopoto in both motos, trading wins with his rival, but emerged victorious by virtue of his second moto win for his first overall victory of the 2011 championship. Dungey has won the annual Lucas Oil Motocross stop in Colorado for the past two seasons, in addition to a dominant outing at the facility during the 2010 Motocross of Nations.
In the 250 Class, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac showed he’s ready to add his name to the discussion of title contenders in the deeply talented division. The third-year rider dominated in Texas, posting a moto sweep to secure his second career Lucas Oil Motocross win – his first since becoming the first rider in history to win his professional debut back during the 2010 season.
By virtue of his victory, Tomac moved from fifth to third in the 250 Class standings and now returns to his home state of Colorado. A native of Cortez, Tomac is hoping his familiarity with the higher elevation will play to his advantage at Thunder Valley, where he finished third last year.
While Tomac will carry the momentum of his win into Lakewood, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett enters the third round in possession of the coveted red number plate, which signifies his position as the 250 Class points leader. Baggett followed Tomac in second at Texas; giving him a win and runner-up finish to start the season. This weekend, he enters Colorado as the defending race winner.
In addition to the strong starts by Tomac and Baggett, Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen is making the most of his debut season on U.S. soil. The defending World Motocross MX2 Champion has finished third overall in each of the first two rounds and despite being the youngest rider in Lucas Oil Motocross, is showing the experience of a veteran. Thunder Valley is the lone venue in the championship that Roczen has raced on previously, winning the MX2 class at the 2010 Motocross of Nations.
Last season at Thunder Valley, Baggett was forced to withstand the pressure of both Tomac and eventual champion Dean Wilson. He outlasted the efforts of his rivals to post a 1-1 moto sweep and notch his third win of the 2011 championship.
The Women’s Motocross Championship hosted its second round of the season at Texas. Despite suffering the effects of food poisoning, Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Ashley Fiolekbroke through for her first win in her 2012 title defense. Fiolek’s 2-1 moto scores gave her the edge in the tiebreaker with Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson. The pair’s rivalry is sure to be renewed in Colorado, with Patterson holding the edge as the current points leader. Additionally, Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Tarah Gieger and Kawasaki Team Green’s Meghan Rutledge, who secured her first career podium last weekend, will also challenge the leaders of the WMX Class.
Patterson was dominant at Thunder Valley one year ago, posting a 1-1 moto sweep with Fiolek and Gieger following on the podium.
Since becoming part of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in 2005, Thunder ValleyMX Park has grown to be one of the series’ most popular stops. With its mile-high elevation and sprawling layout, Thunder Valley presents one of the most unique challenges for both the riders and their teams. The thin mountain air robs bikes of power while also testing a rider’s endurance. It is a one-of-a-kind combination that is only found at Thunder Valley and each year, it is one of the race’s most prominent storylines. Additionally, its picturesque setting and hillside location make it one of the best venues for fans, with incredible sight lines from any point on the track.
The Toyota Thunder Valley National will commence on Saturday, June 2, from Lakewood, beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern. Live coverage of the opening motos on FUEL TV and AlliSports.com will begin at 3 p.m. Eastern, while live second moto coverage of the 450 Class can be seen on NBC Sports Network at 5 p.m. Eastern. Same-day coverage of the second 250 Class moto can also be seen on NBC Sports Network, beginning at 12 a.m. Eastern.
Previous Round Results and Current Standings
Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Miller Electric Freestone National
Freestone Raceway – Wortham, Texas
May 26, 2012
Round 2 of 12
450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (2-2)
3. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (5-3)
4. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (3-6)
5. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (6-4)
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (10-5)
7. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (9-7)
8. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (13-10)
9. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha (4-25)
10. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha (8-17)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 100
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 86
3. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 70
4. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 61
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 61
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 58
7. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 53
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 43
9. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 39
10. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha, 39
250 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (1-1)
2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (2-2)
3. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (3-4)
4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki (6-3)
5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (4-5)
6. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (5-8)
7. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda (7-9)
8. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (12-6)
9. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda (8-14)
10. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha (13-12)
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 94
2. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 80
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 79
4. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 76
5. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 55
6. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 52
7. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 46
8. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha, 42
9. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda, 41
10. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 41
WMX Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (2-1)
2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki (1-2)
3. Meghan Rutledge, New South Wales, Australia, Kawasaki (3-3)
4. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (7-4)
5. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda (6-5)
6. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda (4-8)
7. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM (5-7)
8. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda (8-6)
9. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM (9-9)
10. Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Honda (12-10)
WMX Class Standings
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 91
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 88
3. Meghan Rutledge, New South Wales, Australia, Kawasaki, 78
4. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda, 72
5. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda, 65
6. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda, 61
7. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda, 55
8. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM, 48
9. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM, 46
10. Lindsey Palmer, Conifer, Colo., Kawasaki, 32
Tickets for all 12 rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found atwww.allisports.com.
For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, “like” the American Motocross Facebook page, “follow” @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.
For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.
MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious motocross series – the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.
Alli Sports
Alli Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand whose mission is to connect fans with athletes and brands through best in class events, media, and authentic branded products. Alli Sports includes: the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and the Red Bull Signature Series; Alli Media, which creates, produces, and distributes original content; Alli RideShop, an online retailer carrying top skate and BMX consumer products; and Alli MotoShop an online retailer carrying top moto consumer products. Alli Sports is owned by NBC Sports. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.
AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.
NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast’s 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, Versus, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the Olympics, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Wimbledon, French Open, Tour de France and Kentucky Derby.
FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including UFC, surfing, motocross, snowboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit www.LucasOil.com.
