40 Day Countdown To AMA Motocross Opener: 2009
Thursday, May 19, 2011 | 5:15 PM
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The 40th season for the American Motocross tour is almost here, with the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship rolling into Hangtown this Saturday morning! You can watch the races live on FUEL TV and Alli Sports, and later motos on SPEED and NBC. American Motocross has never been so completely covered as you will see in 2011! As we count down the days to the 40th Annual Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship right here, Racer X Online is all the way up to 2009.
Check out our revamped Facebook page or visit www.allisports.com to follow the series.
When we left you yesterday, James Stewart went 24-0 in the 450s and Ryan Villopoto crushed the 250 Class to win that title. Both riders, for different reasons, would not be defending their titles in 2009: Stewart signed a supercross-only deal with L&M Yamaha and Villopoto was moving on up to the 450 Class.
Villopoto served notice early that he was ready for the 450 class going 1-1 at the opening round at Glen Helen.
Photo: Simon Cudby
L&M Yamaha’s old rider, Chad Reed, switched to Suzuki for the 2009 season and just missed out on the indoor title to Stewart. Crushed by that loss, Reed decided at the last minute to line up for the outdoor season. It would be the first time he’d race outside in a few years, and it turned out to be a great decision.
At the opening round at Glen Helen, Villopoto served notice that his end-of-the-season supercross momentum was for real as he crushed the competition, going 1-1. RV’s second-moto win came at the expense of his longtime rival Mike Alessi, as Alessi had a big lead in the second moto and RV hunted him down.
At Hangtown, Villopoto’s knee, already having been damaged at some point, gave out in practice and that was it. RV struggled through the first moto before pulling the plug to get surgery. He was out for the rest of the year.
Picking up the gauntlet was Alessi, and the 800 was now the new man, as he won Hangtown with 1-1 scores and then dominated the next round in Texas. Now it was Alessi who looked to be the runaway favorite for the crown.
After Villopoto went down with a knee injury, Reed was there to pick up the pieces.
Photo: Simon Cudby
But just like RV, Alessi suffered some terrible misfortune when he crashed before round three and broke his kneecap. That was it for him, although he did try to come back for the next round; a collision with Josh Grant was the final KO. His season was done.
Reed started slowly at Glen Helen, got a little better at Hangtown, was the third-best guy in Texas (behind Honda’s Andrew Short, a perennial contender), and by High Point, the #22 Suzuki rider was getting his outdoor mojo back.
Honda’s Ivan Tedesco dominated Lakewood under the lights, JGR Yamaha’s Josh Grant put in two great rides to win Red-Bud, and all told there were six different winners, Reed taking the most with five. At one point Chad caught fire and won seven of eight motos to put a chokehold on the outdoor title. Reed, never considered an outdoor guy and having on record as not liking the outdoors, won his first national title, and along the way he gained appreciation for the motocross side of the sport and gained a ton of fans as well.
Pourcel and Ryan Dungey battled to the finish for the 250 class crown in 2009.
Photo: Simon Cudby
When we left the 250 Class, the only rider truly able to challenge Villopoto on the small bikes was Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, and he was the favorite going into the series, but the Frenchman who won a 250 SX title, Christophe Pourcel, was better than most thought and was right there every weekend.
Pourcel, a gifted and smooth rider, was the only guy to give Dungey a run for his money, and soon those two riders began a battle that would last all summer. Dungey struck first with a Glen Helen win, Pourcel won Hangtown, Dungey got Texas, and Pourcel captured High Point. You can see where this is going, right?
The only racer to get in at times was Honda’s Trey Canard, who was in fact leading Pourcel at High Point and in position for the overall before crashing heavily over a triple and breaking his wrist. That was it for Canard and further established Dungey and Pourcel as 1 and 1a.
Weimer picked up his game late in the season taking three overall victories.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer stepped up in the summer of ’09. The Pro Circuit rider started off slow before winning two nationals in a row at Lakewood and RedBud. Weimer was fighting with Honda’s Brett Metcalfe for the final spot on the box most weekends and would go on to win the very muddy Budds Creek race as well near the end of the season.
Going into the penultimate round at Southwick, Pourcel held a slight lead in the points, but the deep sand of Southwick would prove too taxing for his machine and he DNF’d the first moto. In the second moto an early crash would hold the Frenchman back and that was it—his points lead turned into a deficit.
Matt Goerke took a surprising overall at Southwick in '09.
Photo: Simon Cudby
At the final round, Dungey rode behind Pourcel in both motos to clinch his first outdoor national title. Pourcel gave him everything he had, but in the end, the DNF was too much overcome.
It was a thrilling year in American Motocross and one that saw an unlikely champion in Reed and a coronation of another in Dungey. Come back tomorrow to hear about what went down last year in preparation for an incredible 2011!
2009 AMA Motocross Championship
Date Location Winner, Hometown Machine
May 23 San Bernardino, CA Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki
May 30 Rancho Cordova, CA Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA Suzuki
June 6 Wortham, TX Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA Suzuki
June 13 Mt. Morris, PA Chad Reed, Australia Suzuki
June 26 Lakewood, CO Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, CA Honda
July 4 Buchanan, MI Josh Grant, Riverside, CA Yamaha
July 18 Millville, MN Chad Reed, Australia Suzuki
July 25 Washougal, WA Chad Reed, Australia Suzuki
August 15 New Berlin, NY Chad Reed, Australia Suzuki
August 22 Mechanicsville, MD Chad Reed, Australia Suzuki
August 29 Southwick, MA Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, FL Yamaha
September 5 Delmont, PA Tommy Hahn, Decatur, TX Kawasaki
Dungey would outlast Pourcel to take the 250 title.
Photo: Simon Cudby
2009 450 Class Championship Point Standings
Pos. Name, Hometown Machine Pts.
1 Chad Reed, Australia Suzuki 481
2 Andrew Short, Smithville, TX Honda 388
3 Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, CA Honda 376
4 Michael Byrne, Australia Suzuki 348
5 Tommy Hahn, Decatur, TX Kawasaki 302
6 Josh Grant, Riverside, CA Yamaha 280
7 Justin Brayton, Ft. Dodge, IA KTM 249
8 Nick Wey, Dewitt, MI Yamaha 200
9 Cody Cooper, New Zealand Yamaha 191
10 Jimmy Albertson, Ozark, MO Yamaha 185
Tommy Hahn would take the overall at the last round at Steel City.
Photo: Simon Cudby
2009 250 Class Championship
Date Location Winner, Hometown Machine
May 23 San Bernardino, CA Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN Suzuki
May 30 Rancho Cordova, CA Christophe Pourcel, France Kawasaki
June 6 Wortham, TX Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN Suzuki
June 13 Mt. Morris, PA Christophe Pourcel, France Kawasaki
June 26 Lakewood, CO Jake Weimer, Rupert, ID Kawasaki
July 4 Buchanan, MI Jake Weimer, Rupert ID Kawasaki
July 18 Millville, MN Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN Suzuki
July 25 Washougal, WA Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN Suzuki
August 15 New Berlin, NY Christophe Pourcel, France Kawasaki
August 22 Mechanicsville, MD Jake Weimer, Rupert ID Kawasaki
August 29 Southwick, MA Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, GA Honda
September 5 Delmont, PA Christophe Pourcel, France Kawasaki
Reed won his first career outdoor title in '09.
Photo: Simon Cudby
2009 250 Class Championship Point Standings
Pos. Name, Hometown Machine Pts.
1 Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN Suzuki 503
2 Christophe Pourcel, France Kawasaki 492
3 Brett Metcalfe, Australia Honda 378
4 Jake Weimer, Rupert, ID Kawasaki 353
5 Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, GA Honda 340
6 Tommy Searle, England KTM 332
7 Broc Tickle, Holly, MI Yamaha 285
8 Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, TX Honda 273
9 Tyla Rattray, South Africa Kawasaki 236
10 Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, TX Yamaha 189
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Reed was lucky that:
- Stewart didn't race
- Villopoto got hurt
- Alessi got hurt
But he would probably tell you he rode the whole season with a hurt shoulder or something so kudos to him.
Holeshot,!!!!! YES FINALLY!!
2009 was the best year, Jason Lawrence probably couldve won the title if he had signed the deal with my team Red Dog Racing, its a shame he turned it down.
REED !!!! Good Job.
Holeshot....maybe.......
So yesterday, some folks (Reed humpin' Stewie Haters) were commenting that JS7 didnt have any competetion in 2008 and going 24-0 was no big deal, yet 2009 Reed had lots of competition....He entered the season last minute after the chatter of Stewart racing the outdoors seized.....then RV put on a clinic to the entire field at Glen Helen where Reed says " wow, time to go back to school".....the RV drops out with a knee....Alessi takes over, then he is injured.....then Tedesco and Grant took turns before falling off and then Reed picked up the pieces after the fast guys were out.....A Championship is a championship and Reed is the 2009 MX champ.....but I wasnt too impressed...No way Reed would have matched the pace of RV or Alessi.....I dont think Reed got any better, the fast guys dropped out
These write ups have been great DC and staff. Thank you!
Some of you guys have no idea. The G.O.A.T. is on record many times as saying "you have to be there the whole series to win." It is so shortsighted to rip Reed for winning that year (or Dungey winning SX in '10) because guys were out or not riding. Like him or not, Reed is one of the few true champs MX/SX has had the past almost 10 years. His wins and titles speak volumes in an era dominated by 4 & 7. In the end, they don't ask how, just how many!
GO REED!! GOOD JOB!! he will be a contender this year fo sure. 2nd in SX riding a self backed machine, man.... respect due!
CR22 FTW
Wasn't a fan from his #103 days. First year here he was complaining about the bike he was riding and the class he was in.
However...
Mad props for Reed to come back outdoors in '09 and bet on himself when the field was stacked from round 1. He certainly won back this MX fan that year.
Good luck this season CR22. We'll be rooting you on hard after KDub wraps up his rounds...
Another Alessi title slipped away.............
Props to Reed, he looked great on that Suzuki!
A big Thank You to RXI! These articles were a gas! I really liked the early stuff!
i wonder if jason lawrence will get in another fistfight at Hangtown with villopoto like he did a few years ago :)
Wonder if Windham regrets not riding outdoors that season...
@Brian - You know he does....
Goerke was the last rider to win a National Motocross on a Factory Yamaha. I think Josh Hill was the last rider to win a Supercross on a Factory Yamaha, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.
Let's not forget "The Junk Yard Dog" John Dowd coming from about tenth place to almost getting Goerke at the last lap at that Southwick race. I think he was 42 years old and he still got 2nd overall. What an inspiration!!!! Must be made of steel!!!
I`m just thinking though, reed might struggle outdoors. RD, RV, and KDUB will be on works bikes where as Reeds bike is not. In outdoors this makes a big difference. Gotta love reed don`t ya folks? You can tell he`s racing cause he wants to, not because of money yewww.
Davey,
Thanks for doing this series...IT IS GREAT! The memories of the old days were incredible and the whole U.S. history of the sport is sooo good. Kudos to the Racer X staff....you guys just keep impressing me!
Finally Pseudo cross is over and real motorcycle racing is here. 2011 is going to be amazing.
@ Reed Got Lucky- If you say that then Carmichael got lucky since he beat Reed by 2 points for the 2006 Supercross Championship when Reed had a DISLOCATED SHOULDER for half of the races and then Stewart got lucky in 2007 when Reed had a FRACTURED SHOULDER. Ryan Villopoto got lucky this season because Chad Reed got taken out by James Stewart in Dallas and Houston (holeshot at Houston.)
There ya go.
Red Bud's crowd was huge this year. I remember Dungy in the first moto on the opening lap go over the bars up the famous Monza wall. I saw his bike w/o Ryan
on it doing a cartwheel. Being up it the tower the bike was higher than the crowd
during that front bike flip. At that point I thought it was over for Ryan's day...then
watching the tv monitor it became clear how He recovered. The bike did the flip and
Ryan ran up to it after the flip and jumped back on...Ryan was lucky, but He is
so good, so being good sometimes brings luck. And Championships.
I gotta give it up to you Davey and crew, reading the year by year race reviews
gives you goosebumps. Thanks for your hard work.
Guess we know who Lawlz spanks off to before bed.....
Sometimes you need to be lucky... you can win with just a little luck... sounds awkward but that's how things worked for all these riders. 2009 Reed is lucky, 2010 Dungey is lucky. and Pourcel lost two titles in because Dungey was lucky in 2009 and Canard was lucky in 2010... That's why we always say good luck because somehow these riders needs it...
This year will tell the story on Reed, He won because RV and 800 got hurt. Can he run with RV, I say no but hope I am wrong. I want to see some battles between RV, RD, CR and 800 also Metty should be up there somebut I still think RV is the one to beat.
Reed is very consistent rider, and sometimes consistent can win you championships. He almost proved it in sx. While he might not be able to out run some guys he does impress me on how he out smart's them in the end. He always seams to stay healthy and finish every race. Not a big fan of reed, but he is way higher on my list than the biggest excuse maker on the planet. Good luck reed, but I am sure he's banking on it.
The fact is Stewart pulled out when the rumors that Reed was going to be gunning for him in the outdoor serious were confirmed. And Stewart did the same thing this year. Once the rumors started that Honda was going to support Reed for the outdoor serious, Stewart quickly pulls out again. Just saying.
Reeds a stud ? - Stewart didnt pull out in 2009 , he was never racing cause L&M was SX only.....There was rumors he may ride some Nats in 2009 but it was never a sure thing as it nothing to do with Reed, who actually was the one to enter the MX series last minute at the advise of DeCoster.....We have all seen that Reed has nothing for Stewart outdoors and if Stewart is "worried " about anyone outdoors, it's not Reed thats for sure....MX is a different style of riding entirley and Stewarts has the advantage over Reed outdoors by a long shot.....as will RV......you will see....just sayin....
Guess we'll find out tomorrow.... I see RV running away with it, Alessi close behind with Dungey / Pourcel and K-Dub trailing......If Reed has found some new speed outdoors on the Honda, then I think he'll crack top 3 on occasion but like last year, once Reed gets beat and is brought back to reality, he loses his drive and he'll throw in the towel......but we'll see
Yeah JS is SCARED of Reed!! LMFAO!!! OK
Thanks DC for causing such a great anticipation for the beginning of the 2011 national season. I don't fallow any other sport like I do MX &SX;, but I don't think that the mainline "stick and ball sports" cover their sports like this. Being a Suzuki fan, and once a rider, I am very thankful for the 2009, and '10 seasons.
Thanks DC for causing such a great anticipation for the beginning of the 2011 national season. I don't fallow any other sport like I do MX &SX;, but I don't think that the mainline "stick and ball sports" cover their sports like this. Being a Suzuki fan, and once a rider, I am very thankful for the 2009, and '10 seasons.
Why would a Japanese motorcycle company hirer a rider:
1) at the end of his career with with little chance of winning a title again.
2) disrupt, not to mention alienate, their current team cohesion.
3) that cannot possibly have a chance at being in the battle for the title since he will miss races.
4) that has/had legal problems.
5) who is unpopular with the hard core fan base who by motorcycle.
6) who is popular with some theoretical new fans that do not buy motorcycle.
7) who will not be a good public representative because he is personality challenged.
8) who is not known for his bike development skill.
9) who would cost a lot of money.
10) has a long history of not being very smart and making bad decisions.
There may be a bit of wishful thinking going on here by the stewtards. Maybe they might be thinking that lil'Stew is going to get an affirmative action ride from a factory team. But it is very unlikely that the Japanese will play game.
You gotta be in it to win it!!
Stewart at the end of his career.....are you high? Dude just turned 25 and although he has some issues to resolve, he is definitley a title contender no matter what series your speaking of SX or MX and has a very large fan base...He crashed out of races yes, but he was also leading those races and was 2nd in race victories to RV He also lead the most laps this year, so if he can cure his crash issues I'd say your sadly mistaken......The dude is still very fast and just about any team would take Stewart just cause of his name.....you will see......GO RV!
I have been going to SX/MX races since 1986 Anaheim and raced myself for many years almost turning pro before I joined the work force.... Stewart probably gets the loudest cheers behind Windham on average, louder than Dungey even....Only time I have heard a mild reception for Stewart was Vegas this year, where I also heard the "N" word used frequently so that tells you what type of folks I was sitting near, it is Vegas afterall....Most the people that actually cheer are what I call "bandwagon" fans, they cheer for whoever is the champ that year or whoevers autograph they were lucky to get in the pits that day....If Stewart wins another SX title, he'll be right back on top with all the bandwagon fans cheering for him like hey did 2 years ago and Reed was boo'd..... Christ, half the folks last year didnt even know who Ryan Dungey was......but they cheered for him because he was the guy winning races....I see quite the line of folks waiting for Stewarts autograph....he still the man......
Dungey only won that championship because Pourcel bike drop dead on southwick...
@True Fans vs. Bandwagon Fans,
"where I also heard the "N" word used frequently so that tells you what type of folks I was sitting near"
Yes, we all know the "type" of "folks" your talking about. Black african american of color always use that word, but you are just going to have to get used it. Just hope you do not faint when you hear what black african american of colors call White people.
Would not be surprised if lil'Stew used the word a daily basis and listened to music that used the word.
Nobody can ride 20 laps as fast as lil'Stew. And lil'Stew has certainly proved that with all his crashing.