James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto dominate at Hangtown

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After running off and hiding from the pack at the Glen Helen AMA Motocross season opener last weekend, James Stewart did exactly the same again at Hangtown in round two.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider holeshot race one and was never headed, and did much the same in race two – the Honda-mounted Davi Millsaps grabbed the holeshot second time out, with James Stewart immediately charging into the lead; Millsaps made a decent go of launching a swift counter-attack, but Stewart just put on a charge and sped away for another win.

Tim Ferry on the other Monster Energy Kawasaki had a great day to grab second overall, logging 2-2 finishes despite having to come through the field.

Behind the dominant Monster Energy Kawasaki duo, Honda team mates Davi Millsaps and Ivan Tedesco fought it out for third, with Tedesco riding well to take the last step of the podium.

Ben Townley overcame testing injuries to take fifth, but the series is still without reigning champion Grant Langston – the South African is suffering from blurred vision, and will not ride until he’s satisfied that his eyesight is ok.

On this form, it’s hard to see anyone taking a AMA motocross win other than James Stewart – with Ricky Carmichael fully retired, Stewart’s simply in a class of his own.

In the MX2 class, Ryan Villopoto is showing every sign of being as dominant as Stewart in MX1 – the reigning MX2 champion just stomped everyone after only managing to tie for the overall at the Glen, leading every lap for the win in both motos.

Second overall was Ryan Dungey, coming through the hyper-competitive pack to stay in the title hunt, with Jason Lawrence third on the podium, ahead of Villopoto’s Pro Circuit team mates Austin Stroupe and Brett Metcalfe – Villopoto has got the speed to dominate this class, but if he starts to make errors, there’s a big pack of riders ready to pounce on any mistakes.

AMA Toyota Motocross Championship
Round 2 – Hangtown

1 James Stewart – Kawasaki
2 Tim Ferry – Kawasaki
3 Ivan Tedesco – Honda
4 Davi Millsaps – Honda
5 Steve Boniface – Honda
6 Ben Townley – Honda

Series standings
1 Stewart 100
2 Ferry 80
3 Millsaps 76                                                
4 Tedesco 68                                               
5 Alessi 67                                               
6 Boniface 49

AMA Toyota Motocross Lites Championship
Round 2 – Hangtown
1 Ryan Villopoto – Kawasaki
2 Ryan Dungey – Suzuki
3 Jason Lawrence – Yamaha

Series standings
1 Villopoto – 91                                               
2 Dungey – 82                                               
3 Stroupe – 80

 

Paul Harris

By Paul Harris