Race Report – Pala MX

After twelve grueling rounds at varying venues across the United States, the Lucas Oil AMA National Championship has come to a close. Since the first gate drop at Hangtown in May, this summer has been action packed with epic battles, sweltering heat, and heroic moments that will be the topic of bench racing sessions for years to come. In the Lites class we witnessed the utter domination of the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, as Tyla Rattray, Blake Baggett, and Dean Wilson made their way to the podium at virtually every round. While he did not win the most motos of the year, it was Wilson’s consistency that allowed him to clinch the title at the eleventh round at Steel City. For the 450 class, it would come down to the final moto of the year before a champion was to be decided. Contesting his first full Outdoor season aboard the 450, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto came into Pala with a scant point lead over Rockstar Makita Suzuki and defending champion Ryan Dungey. As for the Women’s class, the never ending saga between Factory Honda rider Ashley Fiolek and reigning champion Jessica Patterson completed another chapter.
250 Class
Moto One
As it was so many times this year, a Pro Circuit bike led the pack around the first turn, as Blake Baggett took the early lead with teammates Dean Wilson and Tyla Rattray in tow. Their teammate, Broc Tickle, and Eleven10 Mods rider Darryn Durham found themselves tangled together just feet away from the starting gate and were forced to climb through the pack. Upfront, Wilson and Baggett battled tooth and nail for the top spot, crossing lines and exchanging glances lap after lap. Rattray would not be left out, as he would momentarily steal second from Baggett before Baggett would return the favor. After distancing himself from Rattray, Baggett set his sights on Wilson and in a short amount of time was able to make a pass in the right hand turn before the finish line. He would lead Wilson over the following two doubles, but at the end of the straightaway Wilson stole the lead and tore away with the moto win.
Results
1. Dean Wilson
2. Blake Baggett
3. Tyla Rattray
4. Marvin Musquin
5. Gareth Swanepoel
6. Kyle Cunningham
7. Eli Tomac
8. Jason Anderson
9. Martin Davalos
10. Justin Bogle

VIEW: THUMBS ENLARGE

PREVIOUS

NEXT

(image 3 of 63)

Moto Two
East coast wunderkid Jimmy Decotis snagged the holeshot aboard his Geico Powersports Honda, with teammate Justin Bogle just behind him. Bogle, a rookie with a handful of professional motos to his name, took the lead on the first lap of the sixteen lap moto and remained upfront for the majority of the race. But after over twenty minutes at the head of the field, he surrendered the lead and resulting win to friend and newly crowned National champion Dean Wilson. Before the pass was made, it was enjoyable to watch the two rider’s varying styles, Bogle’s wide open corners and whips and Wilson’s smooth and steady flow.
While all eyes seemed to be locked on the two leaders, a quick look behind them would show Blake Baggett decimating the gap that Bogle and Wilson had established in the early moments of the race. Baggett had shaken Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin after the two seemed poised to battle, but Baggett’s full season of racing and the stamina it has built allowed him to charge for much longer. He would be within just one and a half seconds of Bogle at the checkered flag.
Results
1. Dean Wilson
2. Justin Bogle
3. Blake Baggett
4. Marvin Musquin
5. Tyla Rattray
6. Broc Tickle
7. Gareth Swanepoel
8. Kyle Cunningham
9. Jason Anderson
10. Alex Martin

RELATED ARTICLES

Race Report: Southwick MX 2012

Race Report : Lake Elsinore MX 2012

Race Report: Spring Creek 2012

Race Report: Hangtown National MX 2012