by Chase Stallo
10 Things We Learned at Washougal
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 | 2:15 PM
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Authors: Billy Ursic, Chase Stallo, Aaron Hansel
10. THE LOCALS GO FAST
Like a few other tracks on the AMA Motocross circuit, local riders tend to really shine at Washougal, evidenced by the impressive ride by Carnation, WA's Tommy Weeck in the 250 Class. Weeck finished sixth aboard his Hillsboro Honda in the first moto, backing it up with another top twenty finish in moto two for eleventh overall. Other locals who have done well here in the past include Jason McCormick, Ryan Huffman, Jimmy Lamastus, Eric Eaton, Larry Ward, Jim Pomeroy, and of course Chuck Sun.
9. VILLOPOTO'S STRUGGLE
While most of the locals seem to do well at Washougal, the exception is Poulsbo native Ryan Villopoto, who has never won here as a professional. In the 250 Class he finished sixth in 2006, with runner-up finishes in both 2007 and '08. Injuries forced him to miss 2009 and '10, and he finished runner-up again in 2011, although he did finally get a moto win.
Swanepoel finished fifth overall at Washougal.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
8. OH, CANADA
Like many privateers, Indiana’s Travis and Shane Sewell didn't find it feasible to drive from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest. Instead of taking the week off, they decided to take a different route and made a trip to the great white north to compete at round six of the Canadian Motocross Nationals at Ste. Julie in Quebec. Travis enjoyed success at Ste. Julie finishing seventh overall in the 450 Class. The same could not be said for Shane, who crashed out in practice and finished 39th overall.
7. SCRUB = SCRATCH
This is the second consecutive instance where a misjudged scrub resulted in a broken femur for Team Honda's Trey Canard. With him and Josh Grant on the sidelines, and Kevin Windham taking a break, this leaves only one healthy rider in the red rig--WMX rider Ashley Fiolek. Will they pluck a privateer to fill in? They have two weeks to test....
6. STAR BRIGHT
DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha had quite the weekend at Washougal. Ryan Sipes lead for a brief period in moto one before eventually dropping anchor and finishing in 15th. (Sipes pulled out of moto two and will undergo further tests this week to determine his issues of unexplainable fatigue.) Kyle Cunningham busted up the PC podium party with a third in moto one. Gareth Swanepoel was there to pick up the pieces in moto two as he battled with Tyla Rattray for second, before eventually finishing in fourth. And the team rookie, Gannon Audette, continues to learn as he had one of his best rides of the year finishing 12th overall. And let's not forgot their lone 450 pilot, Kyle Partridge, who finished a season-best 20th overall.
Will Stewart be a podium threat before the year is over?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
5. MALCOLM FOUND THE MIDDLE
Finally, after eight rounds, ARMA Energy/Suzuki City's Malcolm Stewart was able to put in two consistent motos, going 8-8 for seventh overall in the 250 Class. He was also the top yellow rider in the class, edging Rockstar Energy Drink Suzuki's Martin Davalos by one position. Malcolm sits eleventh in the series standing, nineteen points out of the top ten.
4. DOWN BUT NOT OUT
With a fourth overall by way of 7-4 moto finishes, Chad Reed turned in one of his worst results of the year in Washougal. Reed described it as a “weird weekend,” and said he felt foggy during his motos. Whether the 2009 MX Champ is physically or mentally (or both) fatigued from his highlight-headlining crash last week in Millville is anyone’s guess, but either option would certainly be understandable. Now out of the lead (by nine points) for the first time this year, the Australia has four rounds left to regain the dominating form he has shown for most of the 2011 season.
3. PODIUM PARTY
After finishing second overall in his 450 class debut last season--which included six podium appearances--Brett Metcalfe had yet to reach the podium steps prior to Washougal. Well the wait is finally over. Metcalfe would hounded Chad Reed for the better part of moto two before Reed finally succumb to the pressure, giving Metty his first podium appearance in 2011 via 4-3 moto scores.
Musquin will look to rebound at Unadilla after a disappointing performance at Washougal.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
2. THE RETURN OF MUSQUIN
Red Bull KTM's Marvin Musquin made his long-awaited return to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship to a resounding....thud. After taking a Mike Tyson-sized upper-cut from Justin Barcia's rear wheel at Freestone (which resulted in a fractured thumb) Musquin returned at Washougal and promptly finished 14th overall. Not exactly the result the former two-time world champion was looking for. With a two week layoff to untangle the cobwebs, Musquin should return to his pre-injury form when the series returns at Unadilla.
1. CHANGING OF THE GUARD
For the first time in 2011 Chad Reed will not hold at least a share of the red plate. That honor is now bestowed upon Ryan Villopoto, who holds a slim one-point lead over defending champion Ryan Dungey, and a nine-point lead over Reed.
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Very good article, its funny the only factory Honda rider left is Ashley Fiolek, wonder if she likes being the lone rider for a team like Factory Honda?? And Swanepoel has been looking great lately, one mistake from the top guys and he will hit the podium. And I think Sipes might have anemia, like Millsaps, he has faded terribly, there is something wrong there.
looks like hondas gunna have to bring k-dub back hellllll yeaaaaahh!!
Bring up Justin Bogle!
It looks like a good time for Dungey to talk to Team Honda for next year, and yes he will leave the next round with the red plate. Hope he didn't sign with KTM yet.
Put Tommy Hahn on that factory Honda.
HONDA !!!!!!! give Tommy Week a call and a try !!!!!
If villopoto struggled at Washougal how do you describe the other 38 riders that finished behind him? It seems like if you are a top rider you must finish 1 to get credit for a job well done.RV is in 1st place, sounds like he is riding pretty good.
@clm, I agree 100%.. Guys are saying RV is unhealthy or sick. Just because he doesnt go 1-1 every race. I dont think anything is wrong with RV, I just think Dungey is fast. He did tie Dungey in points at Washougal, just because he didnt win the 2nd moto is the only reason Dungey got the overall.
John Dowd on Factory Honda for a few rounds!
We learned what we already knew eh. Time warps and Dunges' and our boys leg really is toast. Someday his back might be all ganked up to. Its a shame.
I'd back out now if I were TC. When your 40 or 50 the pain and hassle in that extremely compromised femur isn't going to be worth the money that can be made in the next few, short years. Is big time racing worth a disability cooltireguyfred, jairtime, czmark and thesuckys? I'm not a mind reader, online shrink, fortune teller, know it all but fan but I do know something or other. Upper middle class and healthy with a good family and all is prolly much better than being exploited, rich and broken.
Well, technically Honda has Reed still since he is on the Factory CRF and has been the only Honda on the podium, so aside from dudes doing laps, they are not going to miss out on anything the last 4 rounds......
RV is fine....I am one that thought RV would put on some more consistent clinics and definetly capture more overalls......but its always a different once the gate drops..He is the points leader with the Red Plate, so he cant be doing too bad..RV has not been outdoors for 2 full seasons so its hard to compare his speed on the 450 of 3 years ago to now.....The Dunge is awesome too, however in return, he is not knocking off 1-1-moto win domination like he did last year, so that is that I guess... In the end, we have 3 guys that are going for it and its some good racing....8 more motos to go...
Just because "The Dungenator" ran Villopoto down like a dog in Moto one.... flat out spanked him in moto two... doesnt mean there's anything wrong with RV... What it means is blazing fast just got faster...Villopoto better step up his game during the break...or get Dungenated...RD on the other hand better put friendship aside and either stay yellow...or sign red....otherwise he self Dungstructs...I'd hate to see that...when stars burn out they turn orange first
@joshalessi- you make a very valued comment here. If you had read my post a few days ago, I mentioned that maybe Trey should take another veiw of his life and what is happening to him. He has suffered a lot of injuries in the last 3 years. You asked a question is big time racing worth the disabilites? No! Its the risks that every rider and racer takes. But without some of these risks involved, we wouldn't be here today and there would be no racing. I also commented that if Trey didn't come back, I truely would understand. I live with those injuries and pains you talk about, but that doesn't stop my passion for the sport or riding. I am also sporting the hardware underneath my skin. If this is all too much for you, maybe stamp collecting is you thing. And to point at all of us makes no sense what so ever. I guess you felt compelled to make statement. Nobody and I mean nobody wants to see anyone get hurt, because it always hits to close to home. I am glad to hear that you are a upper middle class person that is doing well. What the hell does that have to do with anything. My last question is "whats a prolly". Get an education!
@czmark What you said!
@czmark, you wrote way to much shit! stop postin stuff on here idiot!
BIng Lance Vincent up to thr 450 class as a fill in rider... Wut ever happened to Hepler
Honda should give Regal and Peick a crack at a factory 450 ride for a few rounds.
@know it all, injury's I think, did you know he was named after "Broc" Glover?
everybodys a idiot, now slap Durhams butt on that thing.
The # one thing we learned is that is confirmed RD is going ORANGE next year.
Also looks like JS is no longer BLUE
Looks like its true, RD and KTM got married
DeCoster, how can you go wrong
Throw Weeck on the factory honda! What other privateer has straight up passed barcia and wilson? None. They all just got good starts then faded. Weeck didnt fade!
I'd like to see lance Vincent finish a race before he is offered a factory ride
Honda needs a rider......"What is "Hamburger Hepler" doin' these days?..........I'm just sayin'.
do you people not read this magazine?? There was a full story on the fact that Hepler quit and is now attending college.
magazine?? lol
Hepler going to collage yo!and we all take risks everyday just going to work can put your health at risk, i am 33 and feel like i am 63 from work riding accidents and so on,this is what trey chose to do and i am sure he knew the dangers.Get well soon TC41. we r going to see a much faster motopoto come dilla. Go 2!
You forgot to mention another local rider that did amazingly well and has been mentioned on here before, Leighton Lille. Might want to edit him into the "locals that have done well" list. Thanks
bring on jcr's kendall norman-lolk