Hangtown Qualifying Wraps Up
Cycle News Staff | May 21, 2011
Timed qualifying is all wrapped up at Hangtown for the opening round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship opener and officially the quickest riders after the two sessions are Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin in the 250 class and Mike Alessi in the 450 class. Both their times, however, came in the first session when the track was much smoother. Alessi’s quickest time in the first session was four seconds quicker than Ryan Villopoto’s class-leading best time in the second session.
Second quickest in the second 450 practice was defending champ Ryan Dungey, on the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki followed by Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe, Kevin Windham and Andrew Short. Christophe Pourcel was 11th quickest.
Alessi, who looked so strong in the first practice, crashed over a jump early in the second outing, causing the red flag to come out while medics could attend the downed rider. An obviously dazed Alessi eventually got to his feet and walked, though very wobbly, to the medical vehicle and was driven back to the Astrick Mobile Medical Center to get evaluated, he will most likely not participate in this afternoon motos. It’s important to keep in mind that Alessi suffered a slight concussion two weeks ago at the Vegas Supercross.
Dean Wilson, on the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, was the quickest 250 rider in the second session. He was about a half second quicker than Musquin. They were the only two riders to break the 2:11 mark. Four riders – Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, Blake Baggett and Tyla Rattray – all got into the 2:12 bracket.Again, these times are taken from the slower and rougher practice session, which offer a better representation on how things are stacking up on the track, which everyone says is getting rough, quickly.Villopoto said that the first practice was fast and smooth and that anyone could go fast.Weather couldn’t be any better for racing – skies are clear and the temperature in the 70s.A large crowd is already on hand.
