Reed extends AMA Motocross series lead
By TMX Archives on 7th Jul 09
Team Suzuki Press Office - July 7. Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing's Chad Reed extended his AMA Motocross championship points lead after carding another podium finish this year at Red Bud Track 'N' Trail in Buchanan, Michigan.
The two-time AMA Supercross Champion picked up a second-place overall result after winning the first moto and finishing third in the second one.
Rockstar Makita Suzuki team mate Michael Byrne enjoyed a very consistent race weekend: The Australian rode two solid motos and finished seventh in both to capture seventh place overall. Finally, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi is still recovering from injury and did not race. He hopes to return to racing as soon as possible.
In the 250 class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey brought home a fifth-place finish overall and had a great first moto; getting out front immediately on his RM-Z250 and leading to the end. In the second moto, however, the Minnesota rider suffered a few get-offs but still finished eighth. In the end, Dungey remains in second place overall in the championship points standings.
Chad Reed:
"These guys are riding good this weekend, and my problem is me. I've got to do what I know how to do, that's basically what it comes down to. It's good to get a moto win on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450, but I want to ride to my fullest and do my best. It's amazing to be at Red Bud on July 4th but I wish I could go out there and tear it up, but I can't right now. I hate to complain when I'm winning motos, but right now, I'm just thankful I got the holeshot in the first moto and I just have to keep trying to be there at the end. In the second moto I got a great start but I gave out too much at the beginning. I just left my run for too late at the end, and these guys are riding well and it's a challenge. We'll be back and be ready for the next race."
Michael Byrne:
"I have to say it was a pretty average weekend for me. I felt like I should have finished higher in the second moto. I had a few issues and I struggled a bit with the track. But at the same time, for having a somewhat bad day, we actually made up some points in the championship, now we're fifth overall. So in the end, something good came of it all."
Ryan Dungey:
"I'm just trying to take these weekends one race at a time and put myself in the best position that I can to get the win. The track is awesome this weekend, Red Bud is my favourite track on the circuit and it's difficult - it's rough and you can't sit down. So hats off to my suspension guys and the whole Rockstar Makita Suzuki team for getting my bike so dialled in for me."
AMA Motocross 450 Class Top 10:
1. Josh Grant (Yamaha)
2. Chad Reed (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
3. Ivan Tedesco (Honda)
4. Andrew Short (Honda)
5. Cody Cooper (Yamaha)
6. Ricky Dietrich (Kawasaki)
7. Michael Byrne (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
8. Tyler Bowers (Honda)
9. Nick Wey (Yamaha)
10. Justin Brayton (KTM)
AMA Motocross 250 Class Top 10:
1. Jake Weimer (Kawasaki)
2. Christophe Pourcel (Kawasaki)
3. Tommy Searle (KTM)
4. Brett Metcalfe (Honda)
5. Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
6. Justin Barcia (Honda)
7. Kyle Cunningham (Kawasaki)
8. Matthew Lemoine (Yamaha)
9. William Hahn (KTM)
10. Martin Davalos (KTM)