AMA Pro Motocross Makes Triumphant Return to Colorado
Local rider Andrew Short put in his best finish this season with 2-2 moto's for second overall in the 125cc class
The AMA National Motocross Championship Series returned to Colorado in grand style with over 22,000 fans attending the first outdoor national in the Colorado area in 18 years. The completely updated Thunder Valley Motocross Track located just to the west of Denver hosted round 7 of the AMA Motocross Championship on July 24th. The weather was warm with temperatures in the low 90's but that was a break from the 100+ temperatures the area saw in the days preceding the race. The wonderfully prepared track provided close racing all day long and the Colorado fans responded by turning out in record numbers for the event. The Thunder Valley track last hosted National MX in 1987 and was updated with new pits, track layout, and spectator areas for the 2005 event.
The first 125cc moto was led early by Kawasaki mounted Grant
Langston but Ivan Tedesco made the pass on Langston and Tedesco took his Kawasaki KX250F
to the moto victory. Local Honda rider Andrew Short was cheered on by the large
home crowd and worked his way into second place but was unable to challenge
Tedesco for the lead. Langston held on for 3rd in the moto and Honda mounted
Josh Grant and Tommy Hahn rounded out the top five. The second moto was an all
Tedesco affair as the Kawasaki pilot rode away from the field to take the moto
win with a 7 second margin. Andrew Short put his CR250F into second and the
partisan Colorado crowd loved it cheering Short on the entire race. Suzuki's
Broc Hepler rode to the 3rd spot while KTM's Mike Alessi and
Honda mounted Josh Grant rounded out the top 5. This was Tedesco's first overall
win outdoors and he later said "I couldn't ask for a better weekend". Second
place Short was pleased with his ride saying "It was pretty amazing". The final
podium spot went to Grant with a 4-5 finish. Tedesco now leads Mike Brown by 7
points in the championship standings with Mike Alessi in third 37 points behind
Tedesco.
Ricky Carmichael continued his dominance in the 250cc class by
winning both motos by comfortable margins. The Suzuki star recorded his 22nd
consecutive overall win and stretched his points lead in the series to 77.
Honda's Kevin Windham rode strong leading both motos early and looking like he
might give Carmichael a run for the money but Carmichael was able to capitalize on
a couple of mistakes by Windham and made the pass for the win in both motos.
Windham
took second via a 2-2 score with Yamaha's Chad Reed finishing well off the
leaders pace with 3-3 moto scores. Honda mounted Ernesto Fonseca took the fourth
overall position with 5-4 finishes and fifth went to Yamaha's David Vullemin with scores
of 4-5. The series standings are Carmichael leading with 344 points, Windham in
second with 267 and Chad reed in 3rd with 258 with 7 of 12 rounds completed.
The Thunder Valley track has a five year contract for the nationals and judging by the fan's response this will be one of the premier events for years to come. Other than some parking snafu's and a larger than expected crowed which put a strain on the vendors the race went off great for a "new" venue. The Colorado fans are looking forward to the 2006 event and to see if RC's win streak is still intact!!
