450 Motocross Class Overall Results
1, James Stewart – 1-1 
2, Ryan Dungey, – 3-2
3, Mike Alessi – 7-3
4, Andrew Short – 5-4
5, Brett Metcalfe – 4-5
6, Broc Tickle – 6-7
7, Davi Millsaps – 2-14
8, Jake Weimer – 10-6
9, Josh Grant – 9-8
10, Nico Izzi – 11-10
250 Motocross Class Overall Results
1, Blake Baggett – 1-1
2, Justin Barcia – 3-2
3, Ken Roczen – 2-3
4, Ivan Tedesco – 6-5
5, Eli Tomac – 4-10
6, Martin Davalos – 14-4
7, Kyle Cunningham – 9-8
8, Jason Anderson – 8-9
9, Marvin Musquin – 5-14
10. Wil Hahn – 7-13
— James Stewart wins Hangtown
— Yoshimura Suzuki Report
Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing could not have scripted a sweeter start to the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross season if they’d tried. Returning to the motocross series for the first time since 2008, new Yoshimura Suzuki rider James Stewart raced his RM-Z450 to victory in both 450 motos to take the overall win in round one at the Hangtown National in Sacramento, CA, on Saturday afternoon. Yoshimura Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe was right there with his new teammate, putting together two solid motos to finish the day in a very respectable fifth-place overall.
In his inaugural race on the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, Stewart was nothing short of flawless. The first moto saw him get a great start and take the lead on the first lap. From there, Stewart slowly but surely created a gap and led all laps to take the win. In the second moto, Stewart got shuffled around a bit on the start but quickly made short shrift of the competition. Taking the lead, Stewart rode a calculated, efficient race, and again gapped the field while remaining in his comfort zone. Anything but victory was simply out of the question.
“I couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Stewart. “The Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 was really fast and consistent. In the first moto, I got a great start and I was in the lead on the first lap. I rode my own race, and got a good gap and was able to win that one. In the second moto, I had to work for it. I had to come around some guys… then I was able to stay there and keep the pace. As the day went on, the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 was just better and better and better. I have to give it up to the team for all their hard work. I don’t want to get over-confident, but to start off like this – knowing this is one of my worst tracks – and know we can keep building, makes it so good.”
Likewise, Australian Metcalfe turned in a promising performance in both motos. In the first one, Metcalfe got a good start on the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 and worked his way up to second before fatigue set in and he finished fourth. In the second moto, Metcalfe again ran in a podium position before finishing fifth. At the end of the day, the Yoshimura Suzuki rider was happy to finish fifth overall. Metcalfe is in a three-way tie for third in championship points.
“I’ve been looking forward to the start of the motocross season,” said Metcalfe. “The Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 is working great and Motocross is a nice change of pace. In moto one, I got a top-five start and I was feeling strong. I made some moves early and moved up to second, but wasn’t able to finish at the same intensity level I started with. Moto two was much the same, though I didn’t have a very good start. My speed and skills on the Suzuki feel really good right now, so I was able to make passes and move through the pack. Again, I just wasn’t able to finish the moto strong. We need to work on that, because if I want to contend for wins, that’s what I’ve got to do.”
As the Yoshimura Suzuki squad prepares for round two next weekend, both Stewart and Metcalfe are enthusiastic about the race in Texas. Stewart is particularly excited about the upcoming event because he’ll be contesting it as the series points leader and, as a result, will run the leader’s red number plate.
“Texas is going to be tough,” said Stewart. “But we have to take it week by week. I get to ride the red plate on the Suzuki and that’s pretty cool. This will be the first time I’ve ever had it, in Motocross or Supercross, so that should be pretty special.”
Added Metcalfe: “I’m looking forward to Texas. That’s always a physically demanding track, so the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 will work well there. We’ve got to go in confident, and after this round, get the appropriate rest and work hard this week, and come out stronger for Texas and build from there.”
– KTM Report
Red Bull/KTM Factory riders Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen opened their outdoor season with flair at the Hangtown Motocross Classic on Saturday. Dungey finished second in the 450 class and Roczen scored a podium third in the 250 class.
Dungey rode the KTM 450 SX-F, Roczen and teammate Marvin Musquin rode their KTM 250 SX-F machines. Musquin rode a solid two motos despite a fractured had that has surgery just two weeks ago
Dungey missed the start in the opening moto and was back at twelfth at the step-up jump to advance two places at the close of the first lap. He then settled down to pick off riders one by one until he was fourth at the half way mark He put a pass on Andrew Short to takeover the 4th place spot and soon began to reel in Brett Metcalfe. With four laps to go, he moved up to third and held the position right to the flag.
Ryan was much more efficient as the gate dropped for the second moto and was second at the first corner. He and James Stewart then pulled away from the group and began to battle it out for the premier place. He managed to stay with Stewart, narrowing the gap to less than a second but then encountered some back markers in the last three laps, which then put him out of contention for the win. His 3-2 results earned him 2nd overall for the day.
Ryan Dungey: “I really enjoyed racing here today. I had some good luck and some bad luck but I’m glad to be on the podium and finish safely. I feel like my fitness was there today and I just need to get up front and out of traffic earlier to get my KTM up front. I am looking forward to the next round at Freestone Raceway.
Roczen opens his season with podium third
Earlier in the day Dungey’s factory teammate, the German teenager Ken Roczen opened his account for the season in the 250 class by snatching the holeshot in the first moto from Justin Barcia. The two swapped positions at the fourth corner and but Roczen kept Barca in his line of vision. Roczen grabbed the lead back in the next lap as Blake Baggett caught the leaders and joined the battle for the number one spot. Roczen held the lead but Baggett made his move in the last corners and Roczen had to settle for second.
Roczen: “I was bummed to lose the lead after holding off both Blake and Justin for so long during the moto, but I am happy to be on the podium in the first moto of my outdoor career.”
Roczen’s 250 Class teammate and French rider Marvin Musquin also put in a strong ride for fifth in the opening moto considering he was competing with a yet to heal fracture in his hand.
Musquin: “My hand gave me a little pain at the end of the race, but overall, I felt decent in the first moto and am glad to finish inside the top five.”
Musquin and Roczen both got away cleanly in the second 250 class moto with Musquin at third and Roczen in fourth. They swapped positions in the next lap and Roczen doggedly held on to that spot to the flag. His 2-3 finishes earned him 3rd overall for the day.
Musquin rode inside the top five for the first part of the moto but dropped below 15th after his hand began to bother him at the halfway point. He was able to recoup on the closing laps and advances to fourteenth to come away with a creditable ninth overall for the day, despite his injured hand.
Next Event: Wortham, TX – May 26, 2012
