Kawasaki rider goes 1-1 at Thunder Valley

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (JULY 24, 2005) – Team Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Ivan Tedesco gave an amazing performance aboard his Kawasaki KX™250F during the inaugural event at Thunder Valley when the 2005 AMA/Motocross Series came to Lakewood, Colo., this weekend. The popular rider from Murrieta, Calif., finished first in the both motos and scored his first 125 overall victory of the season.

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In the first moto, Team Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Grant Langston got the holeshot with Tedesco close behind and charging for the lead. As the first lap was completed, Tedesco made it around Langston for the lead and the pair immediately began to gain ground on the rest of the field. As the race progressed, Langston dropped into third just past the halfway point while Tedesco remained consistent out front. As the checkered flag dropped Tedesco earned his first 125 moto victory of the season with Langston in third, Paul Carpenter in 17th and Matt Walker in 18th.

In the second moto, Tedesco grabbed the holeshot and immediately checked out on the rest of the field. Langston was involved in a crash shortly following the start and went down, forcing him back into the 36th position. Carpenter was also involved in a crash on the second lap and he was forced to pull out of the race. As the race progressed, Tedesco remained unchallenged in the lead while Langston moved up from 39th to 19th. Walker started in fifth and advanced into fourth on the second lap but dropped back into sixth shortly after the halfway point. The second moto wrapped up with Tedesco taking the win with Walker in sixth and Langston in 19th. The win also marked Tedesco’s first 125 overall victory of the season and propelled him into the points lead.

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In the first moto, Team Kawasaki rider Michael Byrne started in tenth and rode a consistent race while advancing one position before crossing the finish line in ninth. Byrne’s momentum continued straight into the second moto as he started in 14th and advanced into sixth before the checkered flag dropped. Byrne was credited with seventh overall for the weekend.

Team Kawasaki rider James Stewart was not released by his physician to compete this weekend at Thunder Valley pending additional tests regarding a possible head injury. Stewart, who struck his head on the ground during a crash in the first 250 moto at Unadilla last weekend, is scheduled for an additional evaluation early this week.

Team Kawasaki and Team Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki move on to round eight, July 31, at Washougal Motocross Park in Washougal, WA.