Words by Michael Antonovich
Photos by Bayo Olukotun
After spending last week in chilly Indianapolis, the Monster Energy Drink Supercross Series migrated south to Atlanta, GA and a packed to the brim Georgia Dome. The stadium’s massive floor was covered with the traditional red clay and morphed into long and technical course that managed to be rutted in some sections yet slick in others. The points chase that is taking place in the 450 class is seeing a shake up as riders are beginning to find their midseason stride while the Lites riders are still finding the swing of things. Week eight in “Hotlanta” didn’t disappoint, starting off with a hot lap by Ricky Carmichael and ending with two spectacular main events.
Lites Heat One
Tearing down the long start straight and into the chicane section with the holeshot in heat one was the rookie on the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki of Dean Wilson with Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki’s Austin Stroupe and Geico Powersports’ own rookie Justin Barcia close in tow. Stroupe would make the pass for the lead within the first lap, leaving Barcia and Wilson to fight for second. Just after the finish line, Wilson railed around the left hand berm while Barcia went low, leaving no room for Wilson. The Kawasaki rider grabbed the brakes and stepped off the bike while Barcia pulled away with second. Just corners later Barcia went down, allowing Valli Motorsports/Yamaha’s Kyle Regal to snatch second. Barica’s block pass spree wasn’t over, and within laps would clear out Kyle Cunningham for third. Up front, Austin Stroupe pulled away to a six second lead over second place Regal, easily sealing himself as threat for the win in the upcoming main.
Lites Heat Two
The second the gate dropped in the second Lites heat it was clear the field would spend the six laps chasing Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki import Christophe Pourcel. With a clear track, Pourcel ticked off lap after lap, but Geico Powersports/Honda veteran Brett Metcalfe was close by to capitalize on any possible mistake. Metcalfe was pressured for numerous laps by MotoConcepts/Yamaha pilot Ryan Sipes, but as the heat went on, the Honda rider was able to build a cushion over Sipes. Teammates Blake Baggett and Jake Moss of the Rockstar Energy/Canidae/ Suzuki team were captivating the majority of the crowd’s attention with the countless passes exchanged for fourth place, with Baggett prevailing for the spot.
Lites LCQ
The newly reestablished Honda of Troy team found two of its riders in the LCQ in the likes of Michael Willard and Darynn Durham. Willard would grab the holeshot with BTO/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki’s Kyle Keylon just a short way behind, and the two were in the only transfer positions for the duration of the race. Durham would struggle with traffic after lackluster start, yet climbed back to fourth place at the conclusion of the four lap sprint. The Asterisk Gas card would go to Warthog Racing backed privateer Justin Sipes as a consolation for his efforts.
Lites Main
The main event in the Lites class had the “edge of you seat” excitement that promoters always promise. In only his second race, Dean Wilson snagged the Spike Holeshot money and led the majority of the night’s laps before finally tiring and allowing the competition by. The only rider to launch the daunting quad on the first lap, Wilson’s job was made easier by the numerous duels by Austin Stroupe and Christophe Pourcel. Pourcel and Stroupe’s battles were nothing short of epic, with numerous block passes and drag races on nearly every inch of the track. Stroupe was able to make a pass stick and run from Pourcel, setting his sights on Wilson. Within moments, Stroupe was in the lead and was looking forward to what seemed like an eminent win. But Justin Barcia was once again on the move, skimming by teammate Brett Metcalfe and using the block pass approach wherever possible, squeezing by Wilson, and sprinting towards the leader Stroupe. A new two rider battle for the lead featured contact but nothing seemed to faze Stroupe until a simple brain fade and wash out would have him hitting the deck and forcing Barcia to go the slower, wider line around the downed Suzuki. Amid the chaos, the Frenchman, Pourcel, cut down and around the two and blitzed away with the lead and unchallenged win. Barcia’s troubles were not over; the youngster cased the final jump in a rhythm section, hit the Georgia clay, bounced up, and then dropped his bike once again just seconds later. He would pull to the mechanics area to repair the bike’s damage and reenter the race the finish 18th.
Results
1) Christophe Pourcel
2) Austin Stroupe
3) Brett Metcalfe
4) Dean Wilson
5) Blake Baggett
6) Vince Friese
7) Matt Lemoine
8) Jake Moss
9) Levi Kilbarger
10) Kyle Cunningham
11) Kyle Regal
12) Nico Izzi
13) Michael Willard
14) Adam Chatfield
15) Ryan Sipes
16) Taylor Futrell
17) James Decotis
18) Justin Barcia
19) Alex Martin
20) Kyle Keylon
TAGS: Austin Stroupe, brett metcalfe, Christophe Pourcel, davi millsaps, Justin Barcia, Nico Izzi, Race Report, ryan dungey, ryan villopoto, supercross, trey canard
