by Chase Stallo
Sign of the Lap Times: Millville
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | 10:00 AM
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PrintFor years Millville, or as some call it, Spring Creek, marked the coming out party for the graduating class from Loretta Lynn’s. Each year, the bright-eyed rookies would embark on the steep sand whoops and the even steeper elevation changes that make Millville a fan favorite. And with such a late spot on the schedule, the riders and fans alike were usually treated to cool temperatures, as Minnesota had already begun to break away from the over 100 degree temps by mid-August. Although it no longer plays host to the inaugural race for the next crop of amateur sensations, Millville will always hold a special place in the hearts of most of the competitors in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross.
For points leaders Ryan Dugney, though, Millville means a lot more. It's not only the site of his pro debut, it's home. He grew up racing Millville with his brothers and made his professional debut there in 2006 as a relative unknown—after having mild success in the amateur ranks. What a difference a few years makes. Dungey is now a four-time SX/MX Champion and well on his way to his fifth title after another dismantling of the field at his home track, his tenth straight moto win and fifth consecutive overall.
MotoConcepts’ Mike Alessi gave it everything he had, but was no match for Dungey on his home turf. Alessi would settle for second with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer rounding out the podium.
The unpredictability of the 250 Class that reigned supreme during the first half of the season is rapidly moving its way toward predictability. Blake Baggett, although he would fall short of the overall, seems to have found another gear, leaving the GEICO Honda duo of Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac, along with Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen searching for answers. But Tomac was able to find those answers... for at least one race anyways. Ride aggressive and hope that Baggett falls, because we know even bad starts don’t hurt his chances at an overall.
We will dig deeper into Baggett’s amazing charge in the first moto later in the article. For now, let’s take a look at the lap charts to see how it all broke down.
450 Class
Moto 1
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 2:08.358 | 4 | 2:10.629 | Ryan Dungey |
| 2 | 3 | 2:08.681 | 2 | 2:13.193 | Mike Alessi |
| 3 | 2 | 2:09.845 | 5 | 2:12.425 | Jake Weimer |
| 4 | 12 | 2:10.310 | 5 | 2:16.376 | Broc Tickle |
| 5 | 35 | 2:10.790 | 2 | 2:21.898 | Kyle Regal |
| 6 | 4 | 2:11.152 | 8 | 2:13.167 | Justin Brayton |
| 7 | 5 | 2:11.688 | 3 | 2:13.876 | Andrew Short |
| 8 |
6 | 2:11.989 | 5 | 2:14.267 | Tyla Rattray |
| 9 | 7 | 2:12.259 | 3 | 2:14.829 | Tommy Hahn |
| 10 | 9 | 2:12.400 | 2 | 2:15.539 | Michael Byrne |
Moto 2
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 2:07.306 | 3 | 2:11.017 | Ryan Dungey |
| 2 | 2 | 2:08.593 | 2 | 2:14.121 | Mike Alessi |
| 3 | 33 | 2:10.971 | 2 | 2:19.086 | Kyle Regal |
| 4 | 35 | 2:11.730 | 3 | 2:12.536 | Ryan Sipes |
| 5 | 5 | 2:11.998 | 6 | 2:15.824 | Broc Tickle |
| 6 | 3 | 2:12.106 | 4 | 2:14.457 | Jake Weimer |
| 7 | 4 | 2:12.586 | 8 | 2:15.414 | Justin Brayton |
| 8 |
32 | 2:12.655 | 5 | 2:34.495 | Jimmy Albertson |
| 9 | 20 | 2:12.847 | 3 | 2:26.532 | Michael Byrne |
| 10 | 6 | 2:13.006 | 2 | 2:17.626 | Andrew Short |
What else is there to say about Ryan Dungey and his 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season? He’s methodically tearing apart a world class field by over forty seconds a race and is slowly building upon an already Hall of Fame worthy career. But let’s give some credit to Mike Alessi for trying to keep Dungey honest on his own turf. Alessi used every inch of the track trying to slow down Dungey, and was the only other rider in the 450 Class besides Dungey to dip into the 2:08 range. Dungey's true skill is consistency—while Alessi's fastest laps in both motos where within about a second, or closer, of Dungey, his average lap time was about three seconds off. For one lap, Alessi can hang it out and nearly match the Dunge. But RD5 can robotically log those fast laps lap after lap.
It has been a terrible season for JGR/Toyota Yamaha's Kyle Regal, but with some good starts at Millville, he showed some strong early speed, with the fifth best lap of moto one and the third best of moto two. Regal seems to have trouble hanging on for long, though, especially in the first moto when he literally went flying off the bike on one of Millville's big uphill jumps.
It was another tough day for Regal at Millville, but he can take solace in knowing that he set the fifth and third fastest laps in moto one and two.
Simon Cudby photo
250 Class
Moto 1
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 2:07.561 | 7 | 2:09.807 | Blake Baggett |
| 2 | 3 | 2:08.262 | 2 | 2:10.702 | Eli Tomac |
| 3 | 2 | 2:08.942 | 2 | 2:10.825 | Justin Barcia |
| 4 |
4 | 2:09.209 | 3 | 2:11.217 | Ken Roczen |
| 5 | 8 | 2:09.912 | 2 | 2:14.957 | Jason Anderson |
| 6 |
7 | 2:11.126 | 4 | 2:14.221 | Marvin Musquin |
| 7 | 10 | 2:11.184 | 3 | 2:15.903 | Justin Bogle |
| 8 | 6 | 2:11.456 | 3 | 2:13.491 | Blake Wharton |
| 9 | 11 | 2:11.558 | 3 | 2:16.581 | Jessy Nelson |
| 10 | 5 | 2:12.105 | 2 | 2:13.593 | Wil Hahn |
Moto 2
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 4 | 2:08.234 | 4 | 2:15.401 | Blake Baggett |
| 2 | 1 | 2:08.654 | 2 | 2:12.176 | Eli Tomac |
| 3 | 2 | 2:09.417 | 2 | 2:13.641 | Justin Barcia |
| 4 | 3 | 2:10.781 | 3 | 2:14.304 | Ken Roczen |
| 5 | 10 | 2:13.432 | 3 | 2:18.804 | Jason Anderson |
| 6 | 14 | 2:13.458 | 6 | 2:21.994 | Malcolm Stewart |
| 7 |
8 | 2:13.460 | 3 | 2:17.820 | Justin Bogle |
| 8 |
5 | 2:13.656 | 8 | 2:15.626 | Blake Wharton |
| 9 |
6 | 2:13.967 | 3 | 2:15.912 | Marvin Musquin |
| 10 |
9 | 2:14.172 | 2 | 2:18.385 | Alex Martin |
In the span of two seasons, Blake Baggett has quickly built a reputation for finding another gear late in the motos. A lot of this can, and should, be accredited to world-renowned trainer Aldon Baker. Lately, though, Baggett has shown not only the fitness but pure speed down the stretch. In the first moto at Millville Baggett dropped the hammer on lap 13 to drive his way past Lites East and West Champions Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac, not to mention MX2 Champion Ken Roczen—something Davey Coombs eloquently elaborated on in 250 Words.
Let’s look a little deeper into Baggett’s remarkable first moto. After rounding the first lap in eighth, there were two key stretches that helped Baggett catapult into the lead. At the end of the third lap Baggett was still stuck in eighth, but dropped down a 2:08.182 on lap five to work his way into fourth, right on the heels of Barcia, Tomac and Roczen. The next stretch came during laps 10-13 when Baggett sliced his way into the lead. We'll let the lap times speak for themselves on this one.
| Lap | Baggett | Barcia | Tomac | Roczen |
| 10 | 2:09.836 | 2:10.891 | 2:11.541 | 2:11.092 |
| 11 | 2:10.197 | 2:11.569 | 2:11.327 | 2:13.624 |
| 12 | 2:11.800 | 2:11.696 | 2:10.408 | 2:10.887 |
| 13 | 2:07.631 | 2:12.339 | 2:12.339 | 2:11.681 |
As you can see Baggett used a 2:09 to put the pressure on the leaders, and once taking the lead dropped an astonishing 2:08 on lap 14 to put over a six second lead on Barcia at motos end. The first moto was a true work of art from Baggett, and one that will forever live in Millville lore.
Roczen was the fastest qualifier in practice but could only manage fourth fastest in both motos.
Simon Cudby photo
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Almost reminiscent of RV, when he destroyed the entire MXDN field at Budds!
so many similarities with the early RV. Maybe even more impressive as he has "three" main advisories. TRV typically 1 maybe 2 at any given time
That pas on Barcia first moto has unbelievable!
It is the perfect recipe for success: A lot of Blake's talent, the training by Aldon Baker, a Pro Circuit 250 Kawasaki, a dash of being able to ride with RV all being stirred by the Master Motivator, Mitch Payton....smells like another title will be served up at the end of the season!!!
Any word on Nick Wey?
yzchris76
He is at th e Mayo in Rochester Mn. That is were you want to be if your in some kinda bad way.........I've been there before A -1 Place my Neurosurgeon and such are down her in Jacksonville Fl. a few hours from me, same set up everyone is a priority best place to be ..............
The guys have Baggett on there minds 24/7
Only herd part of show
On Pulp Mx someone said that Reed #22 had tweeted something to the effect that everyone that is have kids ie, wife about to deliver is getting hurt on the circuit
I guess he is expecting, like when Milsaps got hurt.... and others . Milsaps is a horrible interview!!!!!!!!! He said he might be at Washougal but for sure after the break..
Inquiring minds want to know: What's up with Regal? I doubt he took much solace in those rides. Come on, Racer X, let's have some investigative journalism!
Love watching the 250's and all that excitement going on. Dungey needs to stop in the pits on lap 10 and have a beer like Joel Robert use to do. Only one variation however the dunge would have a monster energy drink, talk about advertising your sponsor.
He sure had speed Sef154, Pertty sure he crashed good in one of the moto's??
Baggett is a mini Villipoto, out a number 51 on his bike...amazing!
@ sef154
He has back issues !
BillC, what is the difference between them talking about bagget, compared to you talking about Villo, same thing 24/7...
@ @ sef154
Revised
I heard some kind of Hip or low back issues maybe a hip that poped out or a seperation !!!! Unclear......
Green-59 by saying "GUYS" I meant barcia, tomac and roczen .... Baggett is in there head's and i am sure they spend a LOT of time trying to figure out what he is doing.
I just got done watching all the motos from last weekend. If Bagget ever figures out his starts, people will be calling the 250's a snooze fest. I think the Geico Honda's have a few ponies on the Pro Circuit Kawi's, and that is keeping things interesting.
As one person already said, the pass in the 1st moto by Blake was phenomenal. I would say we have to put Blake on the 250 for the MXoN. We know Dungey will be on one of the 450's. If Alessi can hang onto his second place in the 450's, I feel he deserves the second 450 spot. Otherwise Barcia and Tomac could be a 450 candidate along with the rest of the top 5 in the 450 class.
Great racing by all the guys out there!!
I love watching Dungey put on the Clinic as some of you call it. But he rides like my cousin did back in the 1980's Montana Motocross racing scene. I always marveled at how smooth Jay Mintyala looked out there on the track. I guess that Jay's Championship in every class size there was, back in those days came from that same butter smooth seemingly effortless riding style that Ryan Dungey is showing us today.
Come on alessi? His lap average gets him 5th in the 250 class. Both moto"s! 15 sec's back on guys with less hp. Bam Bam is the pick. Better in sand and has 450 exsperience.
If talking about the MXdN team, not sure if the timing works but how about going off the results of Southwick. Whoever wins the 250s is the MX2 rider, and whoever goes 1-2 in the 450s are the MX1 and MX3 picks.
Not sure how you can compare lap averages in two separate races. Do you know for sure that with second locked up and nobody pushing, that lap times might increase a bit?
every week. take that point and also say that alessi doesnt have to race a whole moto. just think about it. the 1st moto he got passed by weimer and what? let up. yeah two different bikes and less hp.still slower. your right lets give it to the slower guy who doesnt race the whole moto and hope he pulls holeshots and only gets passed by a few guys.barcia smokes him on his worse weekend.sorry just the way it is
Tell me how were suppose to compare them then if not lap times. When they rode the same bikes in the same class? How they rode southwick last year? I guess Mike's results when the class he's in is missing half the top ten field. Then maybe you have a point.
You could compare fastest lap times, but comparing average lap times in 2 separate classes is like comparing apples to oranges. In the 450's the second place guy has seen the leader win by 30+ seconds, why would you push it and risk injury. While the 250 class has 4 guys going at it tooth and nail, pushing each other to the limit. This will create a lower average lap time.
I'm not saying any of the top 250 would be a bad choice for MXoN, but if he finishes second in the 450 class that's a pretty hard slap in the face for all his effort on a non-factory bike. Yes the same bike you could buy at your local Suzuki dealer, and modify in your own garage with aftermarket parts anyone can get. Yet pretty much each week he beats guys on factory Hondas and Kawasakis, but we should exclude him from Americas team?
Im not slapping Mike in the face just comparing facts. You wanna give him credit for his result but not his lap times. Lets compare everything. Now you say the bike is stock. What is gonna ride at the mxd?He is getting smoked in the 450 class by RD but that doesn't count cus after he blocks him for 15 min he lets off. Im not bying it thats all. Lets just disagree. He's doing awesome. But he"s not the next guy. If he's letting off to avoid injury then Weimer is my pick cus he stayed on it and beat MA last week. Ohh the 1st moto means less than the 2nd.By what do you base it on that we cant compare. Different bike different class. Mike had nothing to race for. Last year doesn"t matter. Sand dont matter.Lap times dont matter. Mike got 2nd lets send him.
Just gonna ask a couple of questions. Your own words say that JB has to race the whole moto so we cant compare lap times.You said MA is not on a factory equipment. I ask why? If you were to take all your money and had to bet it on one race and you put MA or JB on identical factory bikes on a sand track who would you bet on? That is who your pick would be! I respect your decision no if"s but"s. Thats who we should send