The fifth round of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship translated into a exceptional day of racing under threatening skies and a jam-packed hillside of exuberant Colorado fans for the Toyota Trucks Thunder Valley National from Thunder Valley Motocross Park.
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., extended his 450 Class points lead with his fourth consecutive overall victory while Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel, of France, also added to his championship advantage with his second overall win.
Since round two of the 2010 season, Dungey has been on a mission, showing his peers that despite being a rookie, he is more than ready to lead the way in the title fight.
On Saturday, he maintained the form that has put him in the drivers seat early on, securing a runner-up effort in Moto 1 and going on to win his sixth of the last eight motos in the final race of the day.
“I’ve been fortunate to win some races [this year],” said Dungey. “I just want to keep it up and win as many races as possible. I didn’t know what to expect, so I came in with an open mind.
“Hangtown wasn’t what I expected, there just wasn’t enough time. But I put it behind me and we’re moving forward. They let the track go today and it got rough which was cool. It made for some great racing.”
Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda’s Ben Townley, of New Zealand, posted his best finish of the season, grabbing the runner-up spot (6-2) while GEICO Powersports Honda’s Brett Metcalfe, of Australia, finished third (4-4) and assumed the runner-up position in the season standings.
Defending champion Chad Reed, of Australia, finished ninth (10-7) and fell from second to third in the points.
Dungey now holds a 51-point advantage heading into the halfway point of the season, leading the most laps in the class at 62 and holding the best average finish of 2.7.
Through the first four rounds, the 250 Class had seen four different riders stand atop the overall podium. However, Pourcel ended that at Thunder Valley, going 1-1 on the day to take a convincing win.
“My race went good,” said Pourcel. “I won both motos and had some good starts so it was a pretty good day. I’m surprised (with the competition). You never know who will be out there. But it’s been great and I’ve been riding good.
“All you can do is ride your best. I’m trying to do my best for the fans and give them my best on the podium.”
After five rounds, Pourcel is the only rider in the class with more than one moto victory and has found his way to the top of the podium for at least one moto at each stop.
GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla., captured second overall (3-2), while last week’s winner and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Dean Wilson, of Scotland, rounded out the podium in third (2-3).
Pourcel moves into a 34-point lead over Wilson in the standings and leads the class in laps led with 72 and average finish at 2.4.
The MotorcycleUSA.com Women’s Motocross Championship returned to action at Thunder Valley with the Able Planet National, round three of the 2010 season.
DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jessica Patterson, of Tallahassee, Fla., remained perfect through three races, sweeping the day’s moto’s en route to the overall.
Honda Red Bull Racing’s Ashley Fiolek, of St. Augustine, Fla., finished second (5-2) while Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Sara Price, of Canyon Lake, Calif., finished third (2-6).
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship continues next weekend from Buchanan, Mich., for round six and the Rockstar Energy RedBud National from RedBud on July 3.
OVERALL RESULTS:
450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (2-1)
2. Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda (6-2)
3. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda (4-4)
4. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha (1-10)
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (8-3)
6. Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Honda (9-6)
7. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha (7-8)
8. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (12-5)
9. Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki (10-7)
10. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (13-9)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 218
2. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 167
3. Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki, 160
4. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 154
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 153
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 152
7. Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda, 151
8. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 108
9. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 101
10. Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Honda, 94
250 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda (3-2)
3. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki (2-3)
4. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki (4-4)
5. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda (6-5)
6. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha (5-6)
7. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha (8-8)
8. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (7-9)
9. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (9-12)
10. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda (16-7)
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 219
2. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki, 185
3. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 180
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 162
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 151
6. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 140
7. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 135
8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 112
9. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha, 108
10. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 106
WMX Class (Moto Finish)
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (1-1)
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (5-2)
3. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki (2-6)
4. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., Yamaha, (3-5)
5. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM (6-4)
6. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha (9-3)
7. Tarah Gieger, Winter Gardens, Fla., Honda (4-7)
8. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., Yamaha (8-8)
9. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha (7-13)
10. Erica Cook, Natalia, Texas, Yamaha (12-9)
WMX Class Championship Standings (After 3 of 8 Rounds)
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha, 150
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 124
3. Tarah Gieger, Winter Gardens, Fla., Honda, 109
4. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha, 97
5. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki, 88
6. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha, 78
7. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM 72
8. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., Yamaha, 71
9. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., Yamaha, 70
10. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha, 68