by Chase Stallo
Sign of the Lap Times: Lake Elsinore
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 | 1:40 PM
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PrintThe final round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships at the inaugural Red Bull Lake Elsinore National created plenty of pre-week hype as the 250 and WMX titles were still very much within reach for six riders.
As Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett was putting the final touches on a brilliant first moto performance, the title hopes for GEICO Honda teammates Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia were fading away under the boiling Southern California sun. In the second moto, a crash from Tomac, and a subsequent second place finish from Baggett put the final nail in the coffin for GEICO Honda and gave Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki its second consecutive 250 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
In the 450 Class, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey rode to another dominating performance, capturing his tenth straight overall along with wins in 18 of 20 motos. MotoConcepts’ Mike Alessi once again proved to be a formidable foe but was unable to muster enough of a charge down the stretch to challenge the two-time 450 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Champion. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle put the final touches on a breakout rookie season, rounding out the 450 podium.
A surprise entrance from 2012 WMX World Champion Chiara Fontanesi threw a wrench in the WMX title chase. The Italian was dominant in her maiden voyage in the States, taking the overall via a 1-1 performance. Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson entered the final round with five-point lead over American Honda’s Ashley Fiolek and 10 points over Lucas Oil Troy Lee Design Honda’s Tarah Gieger but was nursing a hand and ankle injury. Fiolek was able to take advantage and clinched her fourth WMX Championship when Patterson had to bow out of the second moto due to the aforementioned ankle injury.
450 Class
Moto 1
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 |
2:43.648 |
11 |
2:46.063 |
Ryan Dungey |
| 2 | 2 |
2:44.038 |
10 |
2:47.595 |
Mike Alessi |
| 3 | 3 |
2:48.559 |
5 |
2:50.812 |
Broc Tickle |
| 4 | 4 |
2:49.723 |
9 |
2:52.616 | Tyla Rattray |
| 5 | 5 |
2:50.169 |
8 |
2:53.535 |
Jake Weimer |
| 6 | 8 |
2:52.740 |
3 |
2:57.515 |
Andrew Short |
| 7 | 29 |
2:52.876 |
3 |
3:08.094 |
Austin Politelli |
| 8 |
6 |
2:53.830 |
7 |
2:55.968 |
Kyle Regal |
| 9 | 12 |
2:53.852 |
13 |
2:57.927 |
Justin Brayton |
| 10 | 11 |
2:54.171 |
10 |
2:57.952 |
Jimmy Albertson |
Moto 2
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 |
2:41.360 |
4 |
2:45.022 |
Ryan Dungey |
| 2 | 2 |
2:42.556 |
3 |
2:46.795 |
Mike Alessi |
| 3 | 4 |
2:44.754 |
8 |
2:48.790 |
Tyla Rattray |
| 4 | 3 |
2:45.628 |
5 |
2:47.880 |
Broc Tickle |
| 5 | 5 |
2:46.815 |
8 |
2:49.102 |
Justin Brayton |
| 6 | 7 |
2:47.078 |
3 |
2:50.466 |
Nico izzi |
| 7 | 6 |
2:47.616 |
3 |
2:50.090 |
Josh Grant |
| 8 |
10 |
2:47.852 |
3 |
2:53.138 |
Christian Craig |
| 9 | 30 |
2:47.928 |
3 |
2:50.730 |
Fredrik Noren |
| 10 | 9 |
2:48.392 |
5 |
2:51.198 |
Jake Weimer |
No surprises here as Dungey ended his 2012 campaign atop the lap charts once again—a spot he’s held firmly for a majority of the season. Dungey and Alessi were clearly a step above the field—setting lap times three and four seconds a click faster than Tickle and company.
Mike Alessi set the second fastest lap times in both 450 motos.
Simon Cudby photo
250 Class
Moto 1
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 2 |
2:41.730 |
10 |
2:46.432 |
Eli Tomac |
| 2 | 1 |
2:42.452 |
8 |
2:45.685 |
Blake Baggett |
| 3 | 4 |
2:44.456 |
7 |
2:48.327 |
Marvin Musquin |
| 4 |
3 |
2:45.024 |
8 |
2:47.809 |
Justin Barcia |
| 5 | 6 |
2:45.830 |
8 |
2:48.229 |
Ken Roczen |
| 6 |
5 |
2:46.911 |
7 |
2:49.158 |
Wil Hahn |
| 7 | 8 |
2:47.444 |
5 |
2:50.510 |
Blake Wharton |
| 8 | 10 |
2:47.605 |
9 |
2:50.763 |
Jeremy Martin |
| 9 | 7 |
2:48.291 |
13 |
2:49.175 |
Malcolm Stewart |
| 10 | 31 |
2:48.759 |
6 |
2:51.216 |
Jason Anderson |
Moto 2
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 2 |
2:39.190 |
14 |
2:43.426 |
Blake Baggett |
| 2 | 1 |
2:42.431 |
9 |
2:44.211 |
Justin Barcia |
| 3 | 3 |
2:43.825 |
10 |
2:46.184 |
Marvin Musquin |
| 4 | 14 |
2:44.156 |
14 |
2:49.115 |
Eli Tomac |
| 5 | 11 |
2:44.503 |
3 |
2:51.621 |
Justin Bogle |
| 6 | 4 |
2:45.422 |
8 |
2:46.759 |
Wil Hahn |
| 7 |
5 |
2:45.546 |
4 |
2:47.745 |
Jason Anderson |
| 8 |
6 |
2:45.730 |
5 |
2:47.765 |
Malcolm Stewart |
| 9 |
8 |
2:46.323 |
8 |
2:48.514 |
Blake Wharton |
| 10 |
17 |
2:46.412 |
3 |
2:55.441 |
Alex Martin |
Tomac stole the show in the first moto with his unworldly performance on lap 10, where he laid down a 2:41.730 to trim Baggett’s lead to a second. But the amazing lap left Tomac gasping for energy, and unable to challenge Baggett late in the moto, as he labored across the line to finish second.
Overshadowed by Tomac’s first moto lap time—partly because he had the title in hand—was Baggett’s scorching 2:39.190 on lap 14 in the second moto. The lap was a full two seconds faster than any other lap of the day in the 250 Class and it occurred on LAP 14, just in case you missed that part. The guy already had both the title and overall wrapped up with his 1-2 scores, but he was still digging into the final lap of the season to try to get one more moto win.
Blake Baggett was on fire late in moto two.
Simon Cudby photo
WMX Class
Moto 1
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 4 | 3:10.325 | 6 | 3:14.853 | Jessica Patterson |
| 2 | 1 | 3:10.393 | 4 | 3:12.902 | Chiara Fontanesi |
| 3 | 2 | 3:11.533 | 3 | 3:14.700 | Ashley Fiolek |
| 4 | 3 | 3:12.970 | 6 | 3:15.427 | Mariana Balbi |
| 5 | 6 | 3:15.375 | 5 | 3:17.278 | Jacqueline Strong |
Moto 2
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 3:03.015 | 3 | 3:05.294 | Chiara Fontanesi |
| 2 | 3 | 3:03.801 | 5 | 3:08.262 | Ashley Fiolek |
| 3 | 28 | 3:04.763 | 3 | 3:06.455 | Jessica Patterson |
| 4 | 2 | 3:05.074 | 3 | 3:07.534 | Mariana Balbi |
| 5 | 5 | 3:05.865 | 5 | 3:08.975 | Tarah Gieger |
With injuries and inconsistencies keeping the drama pegged all season, the WMX Class didn't even need a new star at the finale to go down as one of the craziest events in the history of the class. But it got one in Fontanesi, who wasn't even jumping a few of the bigger jumps around the track, yet was still fast enough to track down early-leader Fiolek to get the lead in the motos. Patterson's result was a dissapointment, but, her desire showed via her fast lap in the first moto, where she was digging deep to get to the front.
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Hmmmmm I guess Jeff Stanton might be right!! LOL
Track really dried out - reflects bad on the prep/track crew...(I am sure they did the best they could, mind you) to me its not proper MX when the track is faster in the second motos...
Was RD backing it down last week or is Mike Alessi getting closer?? Seems mike is cuz 3rd is way back.
bit a both i'd say Bill - Alessi always does well at the CA tracks.
@BillC of course RD5 was backing down he already won the title, he is the best in the world Alessi was no challange. ill admit he got faster from washougal on, and props to him on the great season, but Dungey was just to fast.
BillC IS A KNOW-IT-ALL
DO LIKE WELKER SAID "WISH IN ONE HAND SHIT IN THE OTHER"
IMO Dungey has shown he will go as fast as needed to win. When there is an RV a JS7 etc in front of him, seems to be the only time he struggles to pass. Even so, he seems to always be able to run the pace and stay on the rear fender of the elite. See first two rounds this year and Millville and Steel City last year where he held RV2 off for all but one corner of 30+2.
When Alessi is in front, Dungey is fine taking his usual, calculated approach to passing when comfortable. In almost every case this year he put a significant gap on Alessi once he got by. Even if the moto was 20 minutes in when he made the pass, he ended up with an 18+ second gap. I think with the exception of Dilla and Washougal where Alessi really pushed pace. Mike got faster for sure and on a given day had something for Dungey.
Most days (and motos), Dungey was simply on a different level than everybody else.
Next year he will have a deeper field to contend with but there is no doubt (in my mind) that you will see the exact same thing from Dungey and I believe the only difference will be RYAN VILLOPOTO!
Red54M next year there will be a LOT more fast guys to pass if you don't get the holeshot!! Could be trouble for RD?
Jeff Stanton is much more astute then any poster of who is the fastest rider since he is there all the time, and I take his word for it. When Baggett runs a scorching lap like he did on the last lap in that kind of heat and not even needing to do it that shows extreme confidence and RC like ability.
AND AGAIN... the 250 riders post better times than Dungey. Since this was a freak repeat of 2010, I can only expect another repeat of 2011 where he gets put back in his place, rounding out the top 3-5.
KTM SUCKS
The way the track progressed surely affected the lap times. It was so wet for the 450s first moto.
http://www.ridejbi.com/
@ BillC, you are right about that. Dungey is very consistent (top 10) with starts. His fitness always makes him able to run at the front and the pace of the fastest on the track i.e. Villopoto! I imagine he and that bike are only going to get better.
I know you are not a big Dunge fan and you have given him his due this year, so good for you. Don't hold your breath however to see 4 or 5 guys finish in front of him because that is just not going to happen. IMO, the only guy who has Dungey covered outdoors is RV. Fortunately (if he stays healthy) RV will be in top race from when they head outdoors next year and we will see what we have all missed this year. RV is my guy and the man in the class, but I give Dungey HUGE credit because he is a true racer. He is FIT, Mentally TOUGH, rides relatively MISTAKE FREE and has arguably the BEST team around him in the history of the sport.
I call it like I see it, yeah Barcia, Wilson, Reed and Stewart are fast but I think (and HISTORY shows) the only guy who can top Dungey consistently out doors is RV2!
Some people seem to just NOT want to give Dungey any credit (not referring to you BillC ) like blower239 for example.
Aside from NOT being flashy, there is absolutely nothing to not like about this guy. He is a good guy, rides fast and hard, is ultra competitive, respects his competition and is a great ambassador for the sport.
Since he has turned PRO all he does is win races and Championships. He is not my favorite rider but I can't grasp not giving this guy credit or even worse hating on him and saying some of the ridiculous stuff that gets posted on here.
I am sure it will happen again next year and likely for the guys whole career for that matter. This trend however, is starting to look like he is going to go down as one of the all time greats. Time will tell!
I've said before Dungey is a great rider and deserves all the credit for his success BUT if the competition shows up healthy next year things are going to get alot harder. I think he and RV will be the most consistent winners but there are many guys with the speed to win some motos. I'm going to go out on a limb and say RD won't win 18 motos in 2013.
@ textag agreed, not much of a gamble there. He will however be in every championship fight until the end if he stays healthy.
Moto-cross of Nations 2013 will be at RED BUDD
We shall see how RD does this supercross, never has been his strong point(compaired to outdoor) but i like how that one guy up there(who ever posted this) said 4-5 guys will be infront of him. You can count on dungey being on the podium every weekend
I posted something along these lines on another post. But I hadn't seen the times like this. It is crazy and kinda sad that in moto 1 450's. 8th best lap time was 10secs... yes 10secs slower than dungey. The women second moto were going 10secs slower than 10th place time in 450 moto1. (not the same). But gives u an idea how much faster Dungey was than them. For crying out loud. Dungey was 5 secs a lap faster than 3rd place tickle.
Lastly Bagget is the man!
I kinda think a lot of guys (like the east west shootout), weren't putting to much effort in. Its been a long year for them. Expecially for Alessi and Tickle. Are they the only 2 who made every races this year?
Blower239.... what is your point with the laps times? Unless we are talking about road racing then its impossible to go by just lap times alone.
1. The track is constantly changing. Unlike most other tracks the track got faster as the day went on. With the 250's running the 2nd motos it seemed to be in better shape for them, and the lap times showed it.
2. The guys in the 250 class were gunning for a title, where as RD was not. Those guys I'd imagine were riding 100%. Alessi is known to fall off the pace in the 2nd half of the race, where RD can run his lap times from start to finish. He is very patient to let the race play out and not have to push it from the start.
3. A 450 has more power but is much harder and tiring to ride. Unless its a horsepower track with a lot of hills, a 250 is really not much of a disadvantage of a 450, especially since it is lighter and can turn quicker. The gap is much closer than the 125 vs 250 days.
5. Where is this rounding out the top 3- 5 place come from? RD nearly won the title and was tied for the most overall wins last year, one more than RV.
Blower, you suck dude, like the Islamic idiot.
Yet another list of reasons why we the sport at the professional level needs to be simplified to 1 class. The modern 250f is the machine. It is clearly easier to throw around and harness the full potential of the power and that combined with the talent pool we'd have if all of the top riders were on the gate together would make for so much better racing EVERY week.
cummon Bill C. When stewey was winning dungey was RIGHT there, way ahead of alessi. when its just alessi, dungey runs slightly faster. He's like a chamelion, he'll go whatever pace it takes to win and not hit the deck. Alessi is a fool if he thinks he can handle reed, dunge, poto, stew, bam bam, deano. Alessi gon get smoked next year. as for the little bikes. I believe Marvin Musquin has the best tecqunique, and jason anderson is an animal
@Motohead279- my point with lap times? nothing other than faster lap times than dungey usually means your going faster. And the track changing, yea thats where the whole avg thing comes in handy.
@manes- racism solves nothing
I dont hate Dungey and would give him some respect but all his fanboys are doing to him what Stewart fanboys did to him. Enough guys on here are saying hes so god-like that someone needs to point out the facts; he consistently gets beaten by a few other riders when they line up. Congrats to him for staying healthy and beating Alessi and short
KTM SUCKS
Dont care what anyone says or lap times. Put those guys on a 450 and its a different ballgame.. I have seen those boys save the bike after little mistakes time and time again.. You dont get those 2nd chances on that big 450.. It will kick your as$.. Its a whole different animal.. Anyone who has ever riddena nd raced has to know that..
@Motohead279 Excellent points. Riding the 450 is much more tiring and difficult. And as another said when the 450 bobbles it's much harder to save. Also if you read one of the other articles out right now you will see one of the guys talk about over watering. Since the 450s usually ran first they ran in more slippery conditions. And harnessing that 450 in the mud is a little more tricky than the 250.
Blower, you can say you don't hate Dungey all you want but with the stuff you say without taking everything into consideration just makes you look like a hater. And why the hate on the KTM? Good bike and getting better.
Lap time Schmap time.
Consider the possibility that #5 did no more & no less than necessary to achieve his goal (1-1 @ Elsi) which, if anybody has noticed, is pretty common with him.
Dude has KTM brass at the track, MXdN & MEC performances to consider, the title is already wrapped and maybe he is holding back some things that his competition doesn't yet need to see. This guy is already a cagey veteran, well managed by his mentor and at this point in the AMA season, has zero to prove to anybody, Jeff Stanton included.
You're a bitter little boy blowerhard239 and you and all the whiners might as well get ready for 2 more RD5 championships next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RD5 has won 24 nationals in 3 years. How many has Jeff Stanton won?? Jealous perhaps?.....
Stanton has won I believe 7 premier class championships. Also one of, if not the most impressive MXDN motos ever, for the U.S.A. He isn`t jealous of any racer other than JMB.
RCRddw learn your history before running your mouth. Stanton has more premier titles than RD,the end. perhaps this,respect .