by Chase Stallo
Racer X Race Report: Budds Creek
Saturday, June 16, 2012 | 7:15 PM
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PrintAs the rising sun briskly pushed its way through the trees and over the hills of Budds Creek Raceway round five of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship began under the most pristine of conditions. The typical sweltering, humid southern heat was diluted, and instead the riders were graced with temperatures hovering in the low to mid 80s with a nice brisk wind furthering the ideal temps.
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey decided to show up and take a nice stroll around the racetrack on Saturday. At least that’s what it felt like, as Dungey put on a clinic in Mechanicsville. Another 1-1 performance from the Minnesota native now gives Dungey six straight moto wins since James Stewart injured his wrist at Thunder Valley.
While Dungey’s 1-1 performance stole the headlines, some of the spotlight also belonged to Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle. The 450 rookie has continued to thrive with each passing moto and put together a career performance at Budds Creek with 2-2 finishes for second overall. MotoConcepts’ Mike Alessi would capture his fourth overall podium in five races with 4-3 moto scores.
The 450 pack blasts off in moto one. Justin Brayton (10) would get the day started right with a holeshot.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
In the 250 class the four thoroughbreds of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett, the GEICO Honda duo of Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac and Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen, continued to gallop around the racetrack, pushing the limits to new highs at each turn. Points leader Baggett continued his usual tricks—patiently waiting and striking late—to outlast Ken Roczen, who once again was stripped of a chance at his first Lucas Oil Pro Motocross victory. After a first moto win, Barcia had a bad start in moto two, and combined with a small crash mid-way that would relegate the GEICO Honda rider to a fifth in the moto and third overall on the day.
With all four motos being live on various networks throughout the day the race schedule was shortened, which allowed little time for rest between motos. With Red Bull as the title sponsor, you knew the opening ceremonies would get an added kick. Before the drop of the opening 250 moto, the Red Bull Sky dive Team plunged from the sky in an unbelievable display of acrobatics.
When the gated dropped for the first moto it was Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen grabbing the early lead. With championship rival Justin Barcia in tow, Roczen was immediately thrown into a haze of pressure. Behind Barcia it was Eleven 10 Mods’ Alex Martin along with championship contenders Blake Baggett and Eli Tomac lurking in fourth and seventh, respectfully.
An early crash would take Martin out of contention, which left the gate open for Baggett to slide into third and begin to pressure the leaders.
Once again, Roczen led a ton of laps. Once again he came up short of a moto win.
Barcia kept the heat on Roczen for most of moto one before striking late to get the lead.
Andrew Fredrickson photos
Out front Roczen was fighting off every advance that Barcia was throwing out. Barcia would slice to the outside only to have Roczen slam the door. As the laps began to tick away Barcia knew he had to make a move, and was finally able to make a pass stick through the sweeping left-handed rollers right before the finish line. Roczen, shaken by the unbelievable pass, was then quickly swallowed by Baggett. Roczen picked the pace back up and hung with Bagget down the stretch, and just one second would separate the trio as the white flag fluttered in the wind. With not only Baggett, but also Roczen, breathing down his neck Barcia was able to hold it together under pressure to capture the moto one win. Musquin would make a late pass on Tomac to crash the big four party. Tomac, who seemed a bit off the pace in moto one, would finish fifth.
Moto two was a mirror image of moto one as Roczen led the pack through the short left-hand start. This time around Roczen was joined by his Red Bull KTM teammate Marvin Musquin and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco. Meanwhile, moto one winner Barcia was buried outside the top twenty.
Tedesco’s run up front was short lived as a big crash sent the Kawasaki pilot to the pits early. But teammate Baggett was just getting his day started.
Early on it once again looked like Roczen was primed for his first career moto win as he set a blistering pace, which allowed him to distance himself from Musquin, Baggett and Tomac. Baggett and Tomac would get to Musquin, and Baggett used a quick pass on Henry Hill to get by. Tomac couldn't make the pass as quickly, freeing Baggett to take off and go after Roczen. From about nine seconds down, Baggett closed in on Roczen as lappers also began to come into play. The backmarkers would play a big factor in this one as Roczen stumbled his way through which allowed Baggett to pull into the lead and open up a small gap. That gap became a lot wider as once again lappers would hold Roczen at bay through the finish line.
“I’m not going to blame it on the lappers, but it was definitely a big deal,” stated Roczen at the post-race press conference.
Roczen led again in moto two. Again, he was denied victory.
Baggett pulled off another come-from-behind performance to win.
Andrew Fredrickson photos
Baggett would hold on for the win and the overall, while a dejected Roczen was left once again asking what went wrong down the stretch. Tomac would bounce back from a so-so first moto to round out the podium. For the second straight moto Musquin would finish fourth with Barcia coming home in fifth--he also had a small crash during the race.
In 450s, Ryan Dungey was rolling with four straight moto wins coming into the race. Untouchable since James Stewart injured his wrist at Thunder Valley, Dungey was looking to continue his torrid start to the season in Maryland. But early on it was Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Brayton grabbing the holeshot. Dungey, Mike Alessi and Broc Tickle would round out the top four through the first turn.
Unlike races past, Dungey was not willing to patiently wait to go after the lead. Instead, he attacked Brayton early. And it worked perfectly as Dungey was quickly able to distance himself from the field after getting around Brayton.
After fielding an assault from the series points leader Brayton would continue to surrender positions, dropping back to fifth early in the race.
Give Dungey a good start against this field and he'll do the rest.
Tickle was a revelation at Budds, going 2-2.
Father's Day Weekend was a good one for motocross fans.
Fredrickson photos
Dungey leading by over ten seconds was of little surprise to the massive crowd at Budds Creek, but it was who sat in second that had the fans on their feet. Broc Tickle has shown steady improvement in his first full year aboard a 450 outdoors but was never really thought of as a podium contender until his third in a moto at Thunder Valley. At Budds Creek Tickle was ready to show he is no one trick pony as he finished a career-best second in moto one. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer would finish off the podium with Mike Alessi and the aforementioned Brayton taking home fifth.
The only difference between moto one and moto two was who Dungey would pass first. Notorious for his holeshot prowess, Alessi grabbed the early lead with Dungey and Tickle battling for second. Like High Point the week before, Alessi was able to hold Dungey at bay for a brief period but eventually relinquished the lead to a charging Dungey.
Riding a wave of momentum from a career-high in moto one, Broc Tickle was able to hound Alessi before getting by and holding on for second. Alessi would finish third with Weimer and Josh Grant battling down to the finish to take round out the top five.
The series now takes a two-week break before heading to ReeeeeeddddBuuuuddddddd for another Red Bull National.
Kyle Regal fought hard in moto two, here doing everything he can to hold off Weimer.
Yet another Alessi holeshot.
Fredrickson photos
450 Overall Results
- Ryan Dungey 1-1
- Broc Tickle 2-2
- Mike Alessi 4-3
- Jake Weimer 3-4
- Justin Brayton 5-8
- Brett Metcalfe 8-6
- Josh Grant 10-5
- Davi Millsaps 9-7
- Andrew Short 6-10
10. Ryan Sipes 7-11
11. Kyle Chisholm 12-12
12. Jimmy Albertson 15-13
13. Kyle Regal 22-9
14. Michael Byrne 11-19
15. Matt Lemoine 16-15
16. Billy Laninovich 13-36
17. Cole Thompson 32-14
18. Les Smith 14-32
19. Ben LaMay 19-17
20. Robbie Marshall 37-16
21. Vince Friese 18-20
22. Justin Sipes 17-35
23. Sean Borkenhagen 23-18
24. Kevin Rookstool 20-34
25. Evgeny Mikhaylov 21-22
26. Derek Anderson 27-21
27. Cole Martinez 31-23
28. Ronnie Stewart 26-28
29. Heath Harrison 25-29
30. Josh Greco 29-26
31. Jason Thomas 33-24
32. Dalton Carlson 30-27
33. Josh Clark 24-33
34. Jake Loberg 34-30
35. Robert Lind 40-25
36. Dakota Kessler 36-31
37. Tyler Bright 28-39
38. Cameron Stone 35-37
39. Jake Morrison 38-38
40. Travis Sewell 39-40
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 236
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 182
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 179
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 154
5. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 142
6. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 134
7. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 116
8. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 111
9. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha, 95
10. Justin Brayton, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Honda, 93
250 Overall
- Blake Baggett 2-1
- Ken Roczen 3-2
- Justin Barcia 1-5
- Eli Tomac 5-3
- Marvin Musquin 4-4
- Jason Anderson 7-6
- Wil Hahn 6-7
- Jake Canada 13-8
- Travis Baker 12-10
- Phil Nicoletti 14-9
- Jessy Nelson 10-13
- Blake Wharton 9-18
- Gareth Swanepoel 17-12
- Ivan Tedesco 8-36
- Alex Martin 16-14
- Malcolm Stewart 40-11
- Kyle Cunningham 11-34
- Hunter Hewitt 25-15
- Dakota Tedder 15-24
- Killy Rusk 22-16
- Matt Moss 36-17
- Kyle Peters 20-19
- Ryan Zimmer 18-22
- Zack Freeberg 19-21
- Tevin Tapia 28-20
- AJ Catanzaro 21-23
- Lowell Spangler 24-26
- Steve Roman 29-27
- Sean Hackley Jr. 23-35
- Gannon Audette 31-28
- Luke Vonlinger 27-33
- Cody Robbins 32-29
- Cody Lackore 30-31
- Jacob Hayes 39-25
- Mike McDade 26-38
- Ozzy Barbaree 34-32
- Levi Kilbarger 37-30
- Mitchell Dougherty 35-37
- Myles Tedder 33-39
- Joey Peters 38-40
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 222
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 209
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 200
4. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 200
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 153
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 130
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M, Suzuki, 106
8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 102
9. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 99
10. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha, 96
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Happy Fathers Day to all you out there! So when is some going to step you and give Dungey a race? This will be like shooting fish in a barrel by the time the season ends. Glad to see the 250 riders putting on a good show.
Thank god for the 250 class!! Ya, give me some crap if ya want but 450's are a sleeper!! No disrespect to the rest of the field at all or to RD as he looks great out there (riding around all by his lonesome)....but there simply is not much to watch there now.....and this isn't a Stewart thing, we need him or any of the other guys out there. We had it for a bit, but now except for the 250 class, i find myself looking forward to the MEC!!
Jamie Bestwick makes my ears bleed. Is he related to someone at NBC? He rides bikes with no motors....why is he on the broadcast. I like Roczen but every week its a new excuse. Just say you got beat and you need to step it up, bud. People would respect you more.
Kenny just needs a better bike wel11. remember Ktm has good bikes but not even close to a pro cicuit kawi or a geico honda. thats te point. i would love to see you dealing with the lappers and dont get mad about it. rockzen is a great rider just needs a better bike.
I know it seems like I'm reaching for some excitement in the 450 class here but, on a positive note, next year "the big five" will have had at least a full year with their bike and team and will all be ready to go. Add to that Barcia and Wilson moving up and we are in for some great racing!
Today was the closest RD5 has looked to 2010 since ...2010. Go Dunge!!!
450: Yes, the Locomotive keeps chuggin along, but behind him were some nice battles. Tickle and Alessi had a nice little battle in both motos before Broc forced his way by the extra wide Motoconcepts bike. Good ride by both..In the second moto Regal gave Weimer and Metty a good battle before gettin passed by both. Weimer kept pushing and caught Grant, who then boo booed allowing Baby Face Jake to get him at the flag. There were other good battles thru out the pack, as all those guys gave it 100%..
250's: Wow, this class is fun to watch!! The Fab Four keep giving us a show, and whos going to win ya never know..One moto Barcia looks to be the fastest, then Baggett shows his speed, then Tomac looks unbeatable as they all have to run down Roczen..Today left us all thinking it going to be Bad Boy Baggett, as he was flat better that the rest today. Tomac did not seem to have his A game either moto, while his teammate Barcia cant seem to put two motos together..Then there is Kenny, poor kid, leads the most laps has great lines but fades down the stretch..second moto lappers did get in his way but BB was running faster lap times and was stronger when it counted..Maybe Kroc needs less Chipoltes and more training...I hope he gets one soon though as I like his style...MM looked good today very constant lap times thru the motos, maybe the break in racing will help the break in his hand, would also like to see him on the box..
Every one have a great Fathers Day tomorrow!!!
OK well some good racing in 250's. Ya know everyone was ready to give Tomac the crown last week. Even in the RacerX poll he was the winner. But as I stated last week, he keeps having rides like this. He gets on Baggetts tail Matches him. Than kinda fizzles out. I do agree with him and Baggett having that more speed. However I don't believe Tomac is the whole package quite yet. (he might be after the break, who knows).
Now one thing I have noticed 2 weeks in a row, is that it is almost like Baggett has a mental block with Barcia. He gets to his tail and than gets stuck in a slower pace and can't get around him. I dunno its almost like he is worried about being wiped out, however I haven't seen Barcia trying to clean him out in outdoors at all. First moto today, Baggett came from way back, and than Barcia didn't step it up really, Baggett slowed down. What are your thoughts guys?
450's, Sooooo happy for Tickle. Ya know, I am not a fan, but have been feeling for him this year. Thinking oh no this is going to hurt his career. But wow he is turning it around. Most improved rider of the summer. Much better ride from Regal.
More mistakes for Dungey in moto 2. Bike not dialed yet? Lastly, Mr 800 podium interviews have been great. Helping his image a great deal. Good work.
@ thatrider
Better bike really? KTM, 1st in mx1, 1st in mx2, 1st in 450 usa, 3rd and 5th in 250 usa, 2nd 250 east, 3rd 250 west, 1st in enduro x, at top of all off road racing, all with a 250 that is five years old, in a few weeks kenny will get a 2013, all new, ask Herlings how much better it is. Ken's first year, Tomac, Bagget, Barcia, 3rd year and they only have a few wins each, give ken a break!
@that rider
How many times has Roczen's KTM put him outside the top 2 or 3 at the start ?
Must be the KTM that lets him down deep into the motos every time.
JimM
Pala374
I wish CP377 and AC222 would come over and run a few rounds.It is just kind of boring when 4 of the top 5 are out with injury.Well actually if you count Townley that would be 5 of the top 6 injured.450 class hasn't been this borning since the RC days.
Baggett is keeping it together this year, what I notice is when the others have to step it up in the first moto they get tired in the second and Blake has his way with them big time. When Eli put in those awesome 2 motos he suffers the next week just like today. I notice BB is the smoothest rider in the class and it saves lots of energy for him.
The 2012 450 MX season ended before it began. Fans who know motocross appear to understand that the 2012 250 MX class is worth watching.
However, there is hope for 450 enthusiasts .... Barring injuries, the 2013 450 SX and MX classes could be as good or better than the 2012 250 MX class.
Apologies for calling Ralph Sheheen the worst......Bestwick easily wins that honour (that's how it's spelled over there).
Jean-René-Helmut de la Rapapopoulos, You bash Roczen so much but the truth is that he speaks much better english than you do, I cant even understand what the hell your saying half the time. Also, please get it through your head that Americans do not like you, so stop posting on behalf of the U.S.A.
It sure does suck having TC,CR.RV, and JS on the sidelines. It looks like Dungey is going to get another one of his lack of competition titles.
make dungey ride the 350 now, maybe that will make it interesting.
Forget which announcer - maybe all of them - was criticizing one of the lappers (Tedder?) for moving into one of the leader's lines, while just trying to get out of the way. A bit later, one of the lapper's was criticized for holding his line while the leader's were coming past. Just can't win!
In the 2nd 450 moto, it looked like Dungey could put that bike anywhere he wanted while trying to get past Alessi, and looked smooth doing it. Alessi looked like he had too much caffeine while trying to hold him off.
I wonder if Sheheen ever feels like slapping Emig in the back of the head when he starts his stuttering. C'mon, spit it out.
@kilroy, dungey's lack of competition? who did stewart beat in 08 ? reed in 09 ? villopoto got taken to the last round and won by less than 25pts over a "4th place guy" who lost 25pts. due to mechanical dnf ( on a final lap with a half hour lead ) happens to the dunge "its racing" happens to pourcel " its a travesty!"RV just won a SX title where EVERYONE was hurt ( even rv, just hurt last ) is that a no competition title. I call bulls$#t.
When the hell is Emig gonna shut up and quit saying "it's 85% rider and 15% bike"?? Good lord, give it up man.....makes ya wonder why he is pushing that so hard this year!! Hmmm, i remember Dungey saying back at Colorado that "being comfortable on the bike is SO critical"......so Emig, how do you break that down in to percentages?? I'll bet if the bike is not set up right, or if the rider is not feeling comfortable on it that they would up your stupid 15% "bike" claim quite a bit!! Put Dungey on a bike he doesn't like or isn't comfortable on and lets see how well he does!! Sorry fellas, just so sick of hearing Emig say this over and over and over and over again this year!! But then i have to be honest and say that i don't really like much of anything Emig says!!
HAHAHAHA, just heard Emig say "this is a sport where you reaaaallly have to become "one" with your motorcycle.......well, really only 15% worth, right Emmy??? SHUT UP!!
Bestwick is a terrible announcer. Please please please do not give him a microphone. What's with the 2 week break between Budds Creek and Rebud? It's going to feel like an eternity. Everyone needs to hold their horses, Stewart should be back for Redbud and it will make the racing interesting again. Obviously the championship chase might be boring, but at least we will see some good battles between RD and JS again.
Welcome to America Kenny and Marvin! Still have lots of respect for you though unlike that dodger 222!
Also, can someone please steal Weimers puppy or something and create that killer instinct! Damn you would hope that riding on the same team as the worlds greatest rider would have worn off a little on him in the aggression dept.
I don't wanna wish injury on anybody, but, the only way the 450 class is going to be exciting is if Dungey has an injury or like 3 DNF's. Obviously if Stewart comes back then it get more exciting, but without anything happening to Dungey, it is Supercross allover again.
Also, Happy Father Day to all the father's out there, hope you're have a great day!
Obviously, it would be better to have more healthy competition in 450s (though Dungey would still be right in there). But watching one of the world's best, along with lots of other talented riders, and an AWESOME 250 class, LIVE for all four motos ... and some of you guys can do nothing but complain and badmouth riders whose boots you couldn't shine.
The guy who wants to smack Emig to make him “spit it out” should have his Internet yanked. The guy's done an amazing job of overcoming a stuttering problem and is a knowledgeable analyst. Is he the best? Probably not, but guaranteed he does better than pretty much all of you could do. As does Bestwick, who is the most talented rider to throw a leg over a freestyle bicycle, and therefore has been given a place with a sport he obviously follows and enjoys. Jealous much? Sheheen? Please. Also, the female members of this year's broadcasts (including Tiffany Simons, who does much bigger sports than MX, yet still seems to know what she’s talking about) are so much better than Erin it's not funny. But keep complaining; it's what many of you do best!
One more: Way to go Filthy Phil Nicoletti!
I don't mind Dungey destroying everyone else. Carmichael did that for 6 years (or so) What gets me is the 4 of the 250 guys are faster than the all the 450's (except Dungey). When you watch the 250s and them watch the 450s, the 450s look slow (kind of like when they show the women). It's supposed to be the other way around! I think 800, 29, et. al. first goal is to run a faster lap time than Bagget. Then they can start worrying about Dungey.
RV to compete in GPs in 2016! You heard it from me first. He said it today at the GP in Belguim. A thought he is seriously considering.
Just got back from Budds Creek with my daughter. Man, what great racing and the best weather I've ever seen this time of year! Awesome crowd- definately a big shout out to Jonathan Beasly for the best track conditions I've ever seen in over 20 years of driving there from NC. Man, the 250 guys were whipping it so hard off the finish line jump it gave me goosebumps! Baggett reminded me of Villopoto at the MXDN in 07, reving it into the limiter and throwing it upside down while chasing (and passing) Kroc.
THIS is outdoor MX and this is what will always keep me coming back. Great job riders, what a great event put on by all the Budds Creek crew!
@Langston_fan Yeah I was surprised to hear RV even being at belgium. Than to say he is considering 3 more years in the US than 1 year in the gp's. Should be interesting
handlebar dragger does race factory prototype bikes. i can stick up for him. I see his name on MX vs. ATV live all the time.. HAHHAHAAH
@bermblaster- now that is funny! Thanks for the laugh!
What is not funny is 2007crf450 and his gay disco hits of the 70's that he likes to talk about on here all day and everyday!
2007crf450 is really Brett Michaels from the band Poison.
Is 2007crf450 on the right site?