Monster Energy team dominates the 125 class at Steel City, capturing three of the top five overall spots at Round 11 of the AMA Motocross Championship

 

CARLSBAD, Calif., (Sept. 6, 2005) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco kept a solid hold on his overall points lead in the 125 class of the AMA Motocross Championship, this past weekend racing to a third place overall finish at the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Pro MX National at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa.

 

With his confidence brimming, Tedesco’s highlight came in the ultra-fast second moto where no less than three of the top five next generation greats finished fender-to-fender, with Tedesco leading the moto train in third.

 

“I went to Steel City with a job to do and feel that I accomplished what I needed,” said Tedesco. “We’ve got one race left and I’m not about to just go out and cruise around, even though I’ve got a pretty good lead going in.”

 

Coming into Steel City, Tedesco had a 43-point lead over Red Bull/KTM’s Mike Alessi for the overall 125 class title. Alessi would finish second overall at Steel City (to Tedesco’s third) and gain eight points on Ivan. And while the title chase is by no means over, Tedesco’s 35-point lead (402-367) gives him a sizable buffer in case disaster strikes at Glen Helen this weekend. Tedesco needs only 16 points to clinch the title.

 

“Realistically, the championship’s still alive – but Ivan’s got it,” admitted Alessi.

 

Also putting up a good race again this week was Tedesco’s teammate Grant Langston (4^th overall, 3-8), rookie racer Ryan Villopoto (7-6 for 5^th o/a) and the always fast Matt Walker (4-34 for 11^th o/a), who survived a gnarly get off near the end of the second moto and is “doubtful” for Glen Helen.

 

Said Walker: “Good speed all weekend. First moto was real good. Came out in second and was chasing Alessi, cross rutted off a double and it shot me off the track, had to let Broc (Hepler) go by. Second moto I was in ninth, working my way up to seventh and eighth with two laps to go, then knocked myself out on a jump. I’m a little dizzy and nauseous at the moment, doubtful for next weekend.”

 

Villopoto had his best weekend yet as a pro, and looks forward to returning to his adopted home track of Glen Helen this weekend.

 

“Definitely a better race than at Binghamton,” said Villopoto. “I’m hoping my results at Glen Helen will be even better.”

 

Another highlight of the weekend was the $25,000 Monster Energy and Kawasaki awarded to Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) for winning the inaugural Monster Eneryg/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross. Carmichael was the only racer to win all three rounds of the promotion – Mt. Morris (Pa.), RedBud (Mich.) and Steel City.

 

In addition to the sizable bonus paid out, Monster Energy – in cooperation with Kawasaki and Pro Circuit – awarded 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!

 

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.

 

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team returns to action this weekend for the 12^th and final round of the series – the Giant RV Pro MX National at Glen Helen (San Bernardino, Calif.).