News 4 Jun 2009

AMA MX: Alessi, Pourcel and Fiolek lead AMA MX to Freestone

MX Sports Pro Racing PR:

With its challenging layout and technical obstacles, Freestone Raceway in Wortham has always served as a tough test for the world’s best riders in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. For 2009, the June 6th Flagstar Bank Motocross National Presented by Yamaha, Berkey’s Plumbing and Kicker Audio will not be any different, serving as an early-season wildcard in the chase for the 450, 250, and WMX class titles.

The sprawling landscape of Freestone Raceway parlays into some of the most fast-paced, high-intensity action of the season as multiple lines lead to bar-banging action. The Texas national also marks the first time the series will race outside of California, beginning an Eastern swing in which competitors will be presented with various soils and a myriad of track layouts.

As the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship wrapped up its second round of the 2009 season at the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, Calif., two new faces stood atop the podium. Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki’s Mike Alessi and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel both captured their first career victories and shook up the points standings in the process. Alessi overtook the 450 Class points lead from an injured Ryan Villopoto while the Frenchman Pourcel moved to within two points of 250 Class leader Ryan Dungey.

In Villopoto’s absence, Alessi asserted himself as a title favorite by sweeping the day’s motos last week in Sacramento. JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s Josh Grant and Honda Red Bull Racing’s Ivan Tedesco also rose to the occasion, proving that the 2009 championship is far from decided. Alessi, who captured a runner-up finish last season in Wortham, should also feel pressure from Texas rider Andrew Short, who rode to a third place finish last year for Honda Red Bull Racing.

In the 250 Class, the Pourcel/Dungey match-up is more than a two rider battle, as four competitors from the highly regarded GEICO Powersports Honda team are nipping at their heels, led by Pilot Point, Texas’ Blake Wharton. Also adding to one of the most competitive fields in recent history are the other two members of the international invasion in Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray, of South Africa, and Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM’s Tommy Searle, of Great Britain.

The WMX Class once again saw phenom and Honda Red Bull Racing rider Ashley Fiolek atop the podium, but five-time champion Jessica Patterson made a statement by capturing a convincing moto two victory and let Fiolek know she is ready to fight each and every week. The duo provided an epic battle in Texas last season on the way to a closely-contested title fight.

With the ever-growing popularity of the Freestone Bank Motocross National, track owner Tony Miller has added infield viewing areas as well as a tunnel jump. Flagstar Bank has joined the event this season to provide additional support.

Based in Troy, Mich., Flagstar Bank is the tenth largest residential loan originator in the country, the fourth largest FHA lender and the fourth largest residential wholesale lender. Flagstar is widely heralded as a leader in mortgage technology, winning numerous awards for its end-to-end paperless processing. The company also provides banking services for customers in Michigan, Indiana, and Georgia and on the Web at www.flagstar.com.

Ten Man PushTM, the official band of motocross, will also provide a live performance while a night race will give the audience a little taste of what the pros have in store for Saturday. All the activity takes place at Freestone Raceway’s amateur track.

Saturday Advance Purchase Tickets
Adults $30
Kids (6-12 years) $15
5 and under FREE

Saturday Day of Tickets
Adults $35
Kids (6-12 years) $20
5 and under FREE

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