The Dubya World Vet Motocross Championship took to the iconic hillsides of Glen Helen Raceway for the 40th annual event. As usual, the two days of racing proved to be a true international affair, with riders from over 20 countries lining up throughout the weekend.
Photos: Ron Lawson
The 30+ Pro motos highlighted the weekend with big names stacking the gate. Phil Nicoletti, just a few weeks into his retirement from professional racing, took the overall with a 1-1 sweep of the 30+ class just ahead of another former pro, Mike Alessi, who took second with 2-3 results. Nicoletti set the fastest lap of the race and led every lap of both motos to claim a dominant overall win. Giacomo Redondi claimed third overall with 4-2 finishes.
“For me, I just got done with 18 years [of racing],” said Nicoletti on the podium. “Mike [Alessi] rides a super-fast bike, too, and I just went around the outside with a little more power. It’s vet racing, and if he wanted to, he could’ve run it in. It’s a good time, and if I win or lose, it doesn’t really matter; it’s just about being out with the older guys and having fun.”
KTM’s Ryan Morais swept the 40+ Pro division. He battled closely behind former National Champion Mike Brown for most of the first moto before overtaking the lead with three laps to go. Morais then led the entirety of the second moto to take the overall win. Brown’s 2-2 held up for second over hometown’s Kris Keefer in third with 3-3 finishes.
Brown earned redemption in the 50+ class, where he dominated the field and won both motos by nearly 10 seconds. He kept other notable names at bay, like Kurt Nicoll, who took second with 2-2 scores, and Rusty Holland, who strung together a pair of thirds.
More action came from the 30+ 125cc Pro division, which saw many of the same riders line up on the small-bore screamers. Alessi came out swinging with a big win in moto one, holding off a charging Nicoletti in the closing stages. Alessi then played it safe for second in moto two, taking the overall with 1-2 scores. Morais won the second moto, but 4-1 finishes were only good enough for second overall. Nicoletti’s 2-3 netted him third overall.
The 50+ Pros also had their shot to race the two-strokes on Sunday for the 125 50+ Pro class. Brown earned another title by using his 125cc expertise to take both moto wins in convincing fashion. Nicoll again followed Brown in for second with 2-2 scores, with the newest Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Doug Dubach, rounding out the podium in third.
Team Canada topped the World Cup of Nations event with their results in the 30, 40, and 50+ World Cup motos. Riders Todd Minnie, Brock Hoyer, and Julian Cerny took top honors against the competing countries.CN
2024 Dubya World Vet Motocross World C’ship Results
30+ Pro
- Phil Nicoletti (Yam) 1-1
- Mike Alessi (Hon) 2-3
- Giacomo Redondi (GG) 4-2
- Sean Lipanovich (KTM) 3-4
- Justin McDonald (Hon) 5-5
40+ Pro
- Ryan Morais (KTM) 1-1
- Mike Brown (GG) 2-2
- Kris Keefer (Yam) 3-3
- Dennis Stapleton (Hon) 5-4
- Mark Tilley (Kaw) 4-5
50+ Pro
- Mike Brown (GG) 1-1
- Kurt Nicoll (KTM) 2-2
- Rusty Holland (Kaw) 3-3
- Julian Cerny (KTM) 4-4
- Brian Wheeler (KTM) 5-5
30+ 125 Pro
- Mike Alessi (KTM) 1-2
- Ryan Morais (KTM) 4-1
- Phil Nicoletti (KTM) 2-3
- Giacomo Redondi (GG) 3-5
- Sean Lipanovich (KTM) 5-4
50+ 125 Pro
- Mike Brown (GG) 1-1
- Kurt Nicoll (KTM) 2-2
- Doug Dubach (Yam) 3-3
- Brian Storrie (Hus) 4-5
- Nick Mairose (Kaw) 5-9
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