The outdoor season finally got underway today, with a much anticipated race that has set the tone for the rest of the series. Surprises were commonplace on the very demanding Glen Helen circuit that all riders agreed, was rough to say the least. Please check out the race report from each moto of the 450, 250, and WMA classes below. Just click on the separate pages below. One thing is for certain this season in both classes: this season will be anything but predictable.
450 Class: First Moto
Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, as could be expected, grabbed the first holeshot of the year, followed by Toyota/JGR/Yamaha’s Josh Grant and Red Bull Honda rider Andrew Short. Although Monster Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto had started in fifth place, he quickly moved into third and then second as Alessi made a bobble allowing Grant and Villopoto to slip by.
Further back, Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki’s Chad Reed had a less than desirable start around the 12th spot but was quickly making his way toward the front and by the end of lap three was in about seventh place. Meanwhile Grant was running very strong up front and was maintaining a one second lead over Villopoto and two seconds over Alessi as the lead pack began to distance themselves. Reed was a still on the move and was up to sixth place as the race neared the halfway mark. Short and his teammate, Davi Millsaps, held down fourth and fifth respectively.
Other notable rides were Canidae/Motosport/Kawasaki’s Tommy Hahn in seventh in his first 450 outing and Mike Brown in eighth after coming off of the WORCS series. Another notable ride was ricky dietrich who passed many notable names including josh hill on his way up to ninth place.
Villopoto authoritatively began closing the gap on Grant and by the mid-way point was hot on the JGR rider’s heel. The battle did not last long though as Villopoto made short work of Grant and immediately had a one second gap. Reed continued to move forward in the closing laps as he began putting serious pressure on Andrew Short, trying to make passes on several occasions and trying various line choices and was eventually able to get around the Honda rider for fourth position.
At the finish, it was Villopoto taking his first ever 450 win, followed by Grant, Alessi, Reed, Short, and Millsaps.
450 Class Second Moto
Mike Alessi took his customary holeshot, again followed by Josh Grant and Andrew Short; a near carbon copy of the first moto start. However, this time around Alessi made a point of opening up some space between himself and Grant.
With a much better start this time around. Chad Reed was in fourth heading into the second lap and seemed determined to make a better finish. Not surprisingly, first moto winner Ryan Villopoto began putting pressure on Reed as the Suzuki star went to work on short. Alessi continued to open up his lead and was about seven seconds ahead, as Villopoto had already worked his way around reed. Reed must have made a mistake somewhere in the back section as he lost some ground.
Nearing the half way mark, Alessi was doing exactly what he needed to do, putting fast consistent laps in while the Villopoto, Grant, and Reed fought over second. The result was a 15 second gap from first. However, once Villopoto was able to get around Grant he put in a hard charge and within one lap had closed the gap significantly.
Heading up the tricky rutted up hill on Mt. St. Helen, Alessi had a very close call swapping out over all three singles before righting himself at the top of the hill. Mere laps later Villopoto had closed within a few bike lengths of Alessi but the Suzuki rider became aware of his presence, getting a great drive heading up Mt St Helen and opened up the gap.
One lap later however, Villopoto fought his way back, as Alessi made a small bobble in a soft berm, not getting the drive he needed for a trickly uphill triple. Villopoto did get the drive and literally jumped over Alessi to claim first and evetually take the win two laps later.
Overall Results Moto Scores
1) Ryan Villopoto 1-1
2) Michael Alessi 3-2
3) Josh Grant 2-4
4) Chad Reed 4-3
5) Davi Millsaps 6-5
6) Thomas Hahn 7-6
7) Mike Brown 8-7
8) Cody Cooper 11-12
9) Weston Peick 13-11
10) Andrew Short 5-21
Points Standings
1) Ryan Villopoto 50pts.
2) Mike Alessi 42
3) Josh Grant 40
4) Chad Reed 38
5) Davi Millsaps 31
6) Tommy Hahn 29
7) Mike Brown 27
8 ) Cody Cooper 19
9) Weston Peick 18
10) Andrew Short 16
TAGS: ashley fiolek, Christophe Pourcel, jessica patterson, josh grant, Lucas Oil, Mike Alessi, motocross, national, outdoors, ryan dungey, ryan villopoto, Sheri Cruse, Tyla Rattray, WMA
