WMX
Moto 1
Ashley Fiolek jumped out to her typical early lead but it was not long before Jessica Patterson was suddenly threatening for the lead. Before the first lap was complete, Patterson would move in front of Fiolek only for Fiolek to fall on her own in the turn before the finish line. Sara Price inherited the second place thanks to Fiolek’s mistake but the Honda star was quick to remount a charge.
Further back, local favorite Vicki Golden was showing some of the promise she exhibited last season, as she began mid-pack but quickly found herself slicing her way toward the front. By the closing laps, she was in a fight for a podium spot with Price as the two raced side by side. Price eventually relinquished her spot to the determined Golden. Taking the checkers, it was all Patterson who won the moto by more than ten seconds over Fiolek.
Moto 2
It should come as no surprise that Fiolek rounded the first turn ahead of everyone else. The Honda rider immediately put on a charge that opened up some room between her and second place Patterson. Unlike the first moto, Fiolek held onto her lead for more than a lap and actually began to put some distance between herself and he championship rival.
In the closing laps, Patterson, perhaps feeling the pressure of the title, washed her front end out in the right hand corner after the finish line. But even a face plant in the soft dirt was not enough to keep the number one plate out of the Yamaha rider’s hands. Although Fiolek was able to go onto the moto win and overall, Jessica’s second place was good enough for second overall, but most importantly, more the sufficient to secure her sixth WMX championship.
Results
1) Ashley Fiolek 2-1
2) Jessica Patterson 1-2
3) Vicki Golden 3-6
4) Tarah Geiger 7-3
5) Mariana Balbi 5-5
6) Alexah Pearson 9-4
7) Sherri Cruse 8-7
8 ) Tatum Sik 6-9
9) Sarah Whitmore 11-8
10) Jacqueline Strong 10-14
TAGS: andrew short, ashely fiolek, Christophe Pourcel, jessica patterson, Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross, nationals, pala raceway, Race Report, racing, ryan dungey, san diego, trey canard
