Red Bull KTM factory rider Tony Cairoli of Italy and his American counterpart Mike Alessi rode like mad men this weekend at the MX1 USGP on the Glen Helen circuit to crack 1-2 on the podium and introduce the new KTM 350 SX-F racing machine to American fans in a style that underlined KTM’s “Ready to Race” philosophy.
FROM YOUTHSTREAM: Antonio Cairoli in the MX1 class and Marvin Musquin in the MX2 took victory at this successful USA Grand Prix comeback to Glen Helen Raceway, hosting the hottest Grand Prix of the year so far with high temperatures all over the weekend. Cairoli, who won heat one despite a broken gear lever, topped the podium from home rider Clement Desalle. The Italian continues to lead the MX1 Championship.
The steep hills of Glen Helen, near San Bernardino and an hour east of Los Angeles, housed a layout that was rough and extremely quick compared to normal Grand Prix circuits. The extra length created the longest lap-time of the year. The two 35 minute and 2 lap motos were demanding simply due to the hot and dry heat that climbed to over thirty degrees. The first USGP of the century, in the heart of one of the sport’s global ‘hot-spots’, was graced by a 16,000 attendance.
Cairoli, the championship leader and ruling MX1 world champion scored a 1-3 result to top the podium with Alessi beside him in second place. Red Bull Factory Racing’s Max Nagl was third in the first moto but came unstuck and entangled in the notorious green netting towards the end of the second moto and DNF-ed, while teammate Rui Goncaves was able to improve his consistency in lap times
MX2 (250)Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2’s Marvin Musquin was his solid self in the United States where he took two moto wins and the overall. The French took two good starts and led the races from the opening lap already, opening up an initial gap then racing on his own until the checkered flag.
Taking his first podium of the season was home rider Osborne of Bike It Cosworth Yamaha UK. The American could not go catch Musquin for first as he had to get rid of Simpson in both heats. The duo fought tooth and nail in heat one, with Osborne taking fourth eventually, and in heat two when Osborne took his best heat result of the season courtesy of a second place.
Kawasaki CLS’ Steven Frossard made it to third on the podium despite a tough qualifying heat yesterday, when he crashed and injured his right thumb. The French raced a superb heat one, taking an eventual second after Kullas broke the bike and pulled out. In moto two he was fourth. Frossard is now third in the Championship which is a confidence booster ahead of his home GP next weekend.
Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2’s Roczen was a bitter fourth overall. The German recovered to third in heat one after he was involved in a tangle but went down in the final moto due to another tangle – eventually he was fifth.
Other Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 man Shaun Simpson rounded off the top five while team mate Jeffrey Herlings was 14th overall after crashing in both heats.
Despite taking third in Saturday’s qualifying, Max Anstie struggled and crashed on race day. He finished 17th.
VETERAN’S CUPAmerican Doug Dubach was the first rider to break Mat Nilsson’s dominance of the 2010 FIM Veterans’ World Cup as Doug went on to take victory in both heats at Glen Helen Raceway. Dubach topped the podium from former GP winner Darryl King of New Zealand, who went 2-2 in the motos. Nilsson was third overall and maintained the series lead. Kurt Nicoll and Ty Davis completed the top five.
MARTY MOATES CUP
With the Grand Prix of USA marking the event’s comeback to the country after an 11-year absence, Zach Osborne of Bike It Cosworth Yamaha UK was awarded with the special Marty Moates Cup as the top American rider. Taking second in the MX2 class and going four-two in the heats, Osborne tied with Mike Alessi for the Cup, but won on the tie-breaker system. The trophy pays tribute to Marty Moates, the first American to win a USA Grand Prix back in 1980.
The Marty Moates Cup is a special trophy donated by Ricky Johnson in memory of his friend—combined with a $5000 dollar prize.
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