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Racer X Online - Motocross and Supercross

Colorado MX National Race Report

June 29, 2008

Words & Photos by Steve Cox

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The night time is the right time! The first-ever night-time AMA National Motocross was a success, even if it wasn't perfect.

This is the view from the pits, on top of the AMA truck. The three lights in the picture are three of seven lighting trucks that were brought in to light the track. The general consensus among the riders is that, after some tweaking following Friday practice, it wasn't as bad as many had thought it would be, and most riders thought it was only a matter of needing more light trucks. Otherwise, the event was well-done.

The opening ceremonies included the Marine Corps color guard displaying the stars and stripes for the National Anthem before the Red Bull Air Force skydived into the venue.

The Lites class gets off the line just after the sun went behind the nearby mountain. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto (1) grabbed the early lead in the moto and never relenquished it.

Villopoto led every lap of the first Lites moto, winning his eighth-straight moto.

In his best ride of the year so far, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Nico Izzi barely held off his teammate Ryan Dungey for second in the opening moto.

Dungey finished a very close third, and was visibly upset at his teammate Izzi after they crossed the finish line for what he obviously considered rough riding.

In his first moto back since his concussion at the Las Vegas Supercross, Geico Powersports Honda's Josh Grant finished fourth in the opening moto.

Grant's teammate Trey Canard landed fifth in the moto and was gaining on Grant at the finish.

The 450cc class gets off the line to start the first big-bike moto of the day.

Although Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi (800) got the holeshot, Monster Energy Kawasaki's James Stewart (7) was by quickly for the lead.

Stewart led every lap of the first moto, winning his ninth moto in a row.

Alessi finished second yet again.

Hometown boy Andrew Short took his Honda Red Bull Racing CRF450R to third in the opening moto.

Short's teammate Davi Millsaps was fourth in the moto.

Alessi's teammate Michael Byrne had his best ride so far this year with fifth. He is obviously recovering from his knee surgery.

Grant (20) got the second-moto Lites holeshot, followed by MDK KTM's Martin Davalos (577) and returning Mike Brown (3) of Boost Mobile/Yamaha of Troy.

Heading down the fastest part of the track on the opening lap, Dungey went down in a heap. He was transported to the hospital and was witnessed coughing up blood on the track. He was Villopoto's closest championship rival.

After leading the first 12 laps of the moto, Grant (20) came under attack from Villopoto (2), who started near the tail end of the top 10. Villopoto made the pass on Grant just before this photo was taken, and Grant fought his way back by to reassume the lead.

A half a lap later, Villopoto (1) swept around the outside of Grant (20) in the turn leading to the finish line. Villopoto led the rest of the race, landing his ninth consecutive moto win and his fourth consecutive 1-1 first-overall performance.

Grant's teammate Canard came through from the tail of the top 10 to challenge Grant for second by the last lap.

Grant (20) just held off Canard (48) at the checkered flag, with Grant getting second overall with a 4-2 score in his first race back. Canard's 5-3 was good enough for fourth.

Brown ended up YoT's top rider on the day with a 12-6 for ninth overall.

Villopoto (center) celebrates his win, while Grant (left) celebrates second and Izzi (right) celebrates third with a 2-4.

Although Alessi led the opening three laps of the second 450cc moto, Stewart (7) quickly gathered himself to grab the lead on lap four and immediately began to pull away.

Alessi, again, hung on for second.

Millsaps finished third in the second moto, which netted him third overall with a 4-3.

Short (29) finished fourth in the second moto, just holding off Monster Energy Kawasaki's Timmy Ferry (15). Short's 3-4 was good for fourth, while Ferry's 8-5 was good for sixth, just behind Byrne's 5-6.