There were some surprises during qualifying at the famed Unadilla track. Under sunny skies and the air as thick as molasses, it was Factory Yamaha mounted Matthew Goerke who laid down the fastest lap during the first practice session, followed by KTM rider, Justin Brayton and Canadei Kawasaki rider Tommy Hahn. Series points leader, Chad Reed, pushed his Suzuki to the fastest time during the secong big bike practice, but with the track getting rougher every lap, the top ten were set during the first session. Reed could only muster ninth fastest during that session.
The 250 class also had some new blood in the mix, in the form of veteran Honda rider, Kevin Windham. Windham, who admittedly “didn’t breathe for twenty minutes” during his last race at the X-Games, churned out the third fastest lap behind favorites Pourcel and Dungey. Windham has won here on a 125 and a big bike, but at 200 pounds, he’ll be starting at a considerable disadvantage, even with the third pick on the gate.
450 Class Morning Practice
1. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., 2:08.053
2. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 2:08.277
3. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki, 2:08.497
4. Michael Byrne, Australia, Suzuki, 2:08.893
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 2:08.921
6. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Yamaha, 2:08.934
7. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 2:09.115
8. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha, 2:09.355
9. Chad Reed, Australia, Suzuki, 2:09.520
10. Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., 2:09.553
250 Class Morning Practice
1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 2:09.050
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 2:09.246
3. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 2:09.672
4. Tommy Searle, Great Britain, KTM, 2:10.327
5. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 2:10.709
6. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 2:11.031
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 2:11.090
8. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 2:11.250
9. Justin Barcia, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 2:11.313
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 2:11.831
