Tedesco’s familiar ‘Clawed-M’ Monster Energy logo crosses the finish line first in both motos

 

CARLSBAD, Calif., (July 26, 2005) – Team Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco made history this past weekend at Lakewood's (Colo.) Thunder Valley MX Park where the Supercross champion won his first-ever Outdoor National moto. Tedesco then followed that up with his second-ever moto win, good enough for first place overall in 125 class and, more importantly, vaulted him into the overall points lead ahead of former Pro Circuit/Kawasaki racer Mike Brown.

 

“I couldn’t ask for a better weekend, going 1-1 and taking over the points lead,” said Tedesco. “My family was here to watch and it was just a really good weekend for me.”

 

“Hot Sauce” Tedesco capped off his win with a one-handed wheelie all the way up the start straight hill, flashing the ‘No. 1’ sign with his free hand to the crowd.

 

Tedesco’s 50-point effort on the day now has him seven points ahead of previous 125 class points leader, Mike Brown, 257-250.

 

“I’ve been working on every element of racing the Nationals, really,” said Tedesco. “My fitness, my bike – which is a lot better this year. And how I’ve been training for outdoors. I’ve got a trainer that I work with every day and we’ve been working at it and I’ve been getting better and better every weekend and finally made it to the top and got the points lead so hopefully I can keep on getting better.”

 

Tedesco’s teammates Grant Langston and Matt Walker were both flying as well, although some plain old bad luck would keep Langston off the podium while Walker managed another top ten finish (18-6 for 10^th).

 

“Just seems like I’m always in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Langston (3-19 for 5th). “This time around I was coming up the hill (2^nd moto) and Josh Grant slid out, got sideways, tried to straighten it out and when he did his rear wheel came around and took my front wheel right out. Similar thing happened last week (Unadilla) with a couple other riders. (It’s) just frustrating and I feel like there is this black cloud hanging over me.”

 

Langston continued: “First moto I was leading for a while, but I’ve been suffering from some allergies since I came up here. My throat started to clog and I couldn’t breathe properly. Tried to hang with Ivan, check out his lines, but figured I’d rather try and preserve some energy for the second moto. Got a pill from Asterisk for congestion and some oxygen, felt better the second moto and was running the same laps as Ivan – although it didn’t mean much seeing that I was three quarters of a lap behind.”

 

The winner of three of the seven rounds this year, Langston is in fifth place overall in the 125 class points chase.

 

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter had a good first moto effort (13^th), but crashed out in the second moto. Carpenter is in 11^th place overall in the standings, still well within striking distance of the top ten. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tedesco (1^st), Langston (5^th) and Walker (9^th) are all in the top ten, making Monster Energy the top-ranked team in motocross.

 

Team Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki returns to action this weekend in Washougal, Wash., for Round Eight of the 2005 AMA Motocross Championship, presented by FMF.

 

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team sponsors include: Parts Unlimited, Thor, Scott, Maxima, KMC Wheels, Vans, Bridgestone, Hinson Clutch, Components, Showa, The Garage People, Troy Lee Designs, Excel, Renthal, N-Style, Works Racing Parts, Twin Air, VP Racing Fuels, Athena, Motion Pro, DP Brakes, RK Racing Chain, UFO, Mechanix Wear, CTI2, Vertex, Alpinestars, PPG, Trek Bicycles, Imagine It Graphics.

 

Also keep in mind that Monster Energy Drink will sponsor the Triple Crown of Motocross – a $25,000 bonus to any racer who can sweep the High Point, RedBud and Steel City rounds of the 2005 AMA Motocross Championship. The rider with the only chance now is Ricky Carmichael, who won both High Point and RedBud. Mike Alessi, who won High Point, finished fourth at RedBud (125 class) and is out of contention for the Monster Energy Triple Crown of Motocross.

 

In addition to the sizable bonus opportunity, Monster Energy – in cooperation with Kawasaki and Pro Circuit – will award the top privateer placer in both 125 and 250 classes a factory Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Pro Circuit KLX 110 (valued at $3,000) while also awarding an additional $500 in cash to the top privateer at each race (both classes). Also, at the Steel City round, Monster Energy will award an additional KLX 110 and another $500 in cash to the top overall privateer finisher in each class. That’s eight custom Kawasaki/Pro Circuit mini bikes and $4,000 in cash!