News 13 Jul 2012

Dungey leads American Motocross into the second half at Millville

Heading into its second half, the 2012 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship will roll into Millville's Spring Creek MX Park for round seven of the series on 14 July.

Ryan Dungey continues his 450 Class domination heading into his home race at Millville. Image: Simon Cudby.

Heading into its second half, the 2012 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship will roll into Millville’s Spring Creek MX Park for round seven on 14 July.

Arriving at his home race in Minnesota, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey will enter with a commanding lead over the 450 Class after stringing together eight consecutive moto wins to date.

Dungey has not lost an overall at Millville since 2008 in his 250 Class days, the former-champion will be aiming to keep that streak alive this weekend.

Mike Alessi, who made his professional debut at this same event in 2004, continues to trail Dungey in the points chase. The MotoConcepts rider has been consistent throughout the series and sits 72 points behind the leader.

Following closely behind Alessi in third is Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, this battle will possibly be the most hard fought of all in 2012. The two riders sit just 12 points apart.

Weimer took a seventh overall in his rookie 2011 season at Millville, and with more experience and recent solid results, the lone rider for the Kawasaki squad will be pushing for a podium result this weekend.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart has announced he will not attend the Millville round this weekend, extended rehabilitation on his injured wrist is in need. The former-champion will sit out this weekend and Washougal’s round eight, click here for the full story.

In the 250 Class it will be Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett who leads the field into Millville, after another solid 1-1 finish at last weekend’s RedBud round.

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammates Tyla Rattray and eventual 2011 champion Dean Wilson, traded moto wins at last year’s event. Rattray, now contending in the 450 Class, went on to emerge victorious.

With Wilson out for the season after a shoulder injury and Rattray in the 450 Class, the door is left wide open for the rest of the field.

One rider who will be in pursuit of the chequered flag is GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia, the current second place holder has a 19-point gap to close up on Baggett to take hold of the red plate.

Behind Barcia it is his teammate Eli Tomac who rounds out the top three, Tomac has been inconsistent at times and now sits 36 points from the lead. Tomac suffered heat exhaustion issues in 2011, but recent races in the warmer weather should prove the Colorado native has overcome those issues for 2012.

Stay updated with MotoOnline.com.au for all the breaking news and racing action from Millville’s round seven over the weekend.

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