Race Report – Monster Energy Supercross: St. Louis

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Sun, Apr 10 2011 12:19 am | Comments

Stewart breaks through while Barcia maintains

By Michael Antonovich
Photos by Brendan Lutes

After thirteen weeks of traveling back and forth across the United States and a brief weekend in Canada, the Monster Energy Supercross Series made it’s way to the St. Louis, Missouri, for round fourteen at the Edward Jones Dome. The massive floor space, always technical track, and what many riders cite as the best dirt of the tour, the annual stop in the Midwest did not disappoint those in attendance. The Supercross Lites championship nail biter between Geico Powersports/Honda’s Justin Barcia and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Dean Wilson did not materialize as many hoped, as Barcia rode away with a win while Wilson rebounded from a midpack start to fourth place. In the Supercross class, the constant struggle for the top raged on, as San Manuel/Red Bull/Yamaha’s James Stewart claimed his first win since Anaheim 2 over Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto.

Supercross Lites
DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes posted the fastest laps throughout the day, as he looked to rebound after last week’s struggles in Arlington, Texas. When the gate dropped for the main event, it was Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett taking the holeshot, with Justin Barcia sneaking past him on the outside of the whoops on the opening lap. Barcia was not alone out front, as Sipes locked onto his rear fender for the opening stages of the race, and the pair quickly began exchanging passes for the lead. Just after the halfway point, Baggett inched closer to Sipes and allowed Barcia to ease away with the lead. Meanwhile the battle for second was just as intense, as Sipes and Baggett desired the exact same airspace, coming within inches of one another. Baggett eventually settled back for third and the running order finished that way after 15 frantic laps.
As for championship contender Dean Wilson, he was shuffled back off the line, but made quick work of many riders, including Barcia’s teammate Blake Wharton for the fourth spot where he remained until the checkered flag flew. The title will be decided in three weeks at the finale in Las Vegas.

Main Event
1. Justin Barcia (Hon)
2. Ryan Sipes (Yam)
3. Blake Baggett (Kaw)
4. Dean Wilson (Kaw)
5. Blake Wharton (Hon)
6. Gannon Audette (Yam)
7. Hunter Hewitt (Suz)
8. Lance Vincent (Hon)
9. Les Smith (Hon)
10. Taylor Futrell (Hon)
11. Darryn Duham (Hon)
12. Matt Lemoine (Kaw)
13. Brad Ripple (Hon)
14. Tyler Bright (Hon)
15. Levi Kilbarger (Hon)
16. Justin Sipes (Kaw)
17. Hunter Clements (Hon)
18. Kurtis Mccabe (Hon)
19. Nicholas Myers (Hon)
20. Jason Anderson (Suz)		 Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Series Point Standings (After 8 of 9 rounds)
1. Justin Barcia (185/3 wins)
2. Dean Wilson (165/3 wins)
3. Ryan Sipes (141/1 win)
4. Blake Baggett (134/1 win)
5. Blake Wharton (125)
6. Matt Lemoine (105)
7. PJ Larsen (80
8. Malcolm Stewart (73)
9. Lance Vincent (69)
10. Hunter Hewitt (67)
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