June 9, 2013
Tyla Rattray's First Overall Podium of the Season Leads the Way for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki at High Point National
CORONA, Calif., – Tyla Rattray’s first 450 Class overall podium of the season topped off a solid day for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki at the High Point National as the AMA Pro Motocross Championship visited the East Coast for the first time in the 2013 season on Saturday. Heavy rains leading into Saturday’s motos resulted in a tricky, yet constantly changing racing surface that added to the challenge the riders’ faced. In the end, Rattray and the four-rider contingent in the 250 Class all put forth solid efforts, with each rider finishing inside the top 15 overall.
Rattray Claims First 450 Class Podium
Tyla Rattray had shown consistent improvement coming into High Point and if not for some misfortune at the previous round, could very well have had a three-race streak of top 10 finishes. After the hard luck of the week prior, Rattray was in search of a rebound effort and did just that with his best outing since joining the 450 Class. A pair of good starts in each moto put Rattray at the front of the field and he took advantage of his ability to charge late in the moto to post a pair of fourth-place finishes and secure his first overall podium for the team.
“I knew all the pieces were there to make this happen, but we needed some good starts in order to really have a shot to run up front,” said Rattray. “I came out of the gate good in each moto and was able to keep a good pace that kept me up there. It’s nice to get on the box and prove how strong we are and we’re going to use this to just keep getting better.”
Rattray maintained possession of seventh in the 450 Class standings, but is just nine points from taking over sixth.
Baggett Posts Top Five Finish
Blake Baggett was consistent at High Point and relied on those efforts to secure fifth overall. In the opening moto, Baggett overcame a start outside the top 10 to fight his way into fourth at the end. In Moto 2, Baggett had another start that pitted him outside the top 10 and he gave it his all en route to an eighth-place result. The moto scores put Baggett into a tie for fourth overall, but he finished fifth by virtue of the second moto tiebreaker.
“I wasn’t at my best today but if I can still grab a top five on one of my worse days, I’ll take it,” said Baggett. “I’m still trying to get back into my program and it’s getting there, but I’m still in need of some more consistency and some better starts. If I can get off the line better, I should be able to battle up front.”
Baggett still sits fourth in the 250 Class championship, 22 points from the top three.
Davalos and Hill Finish Tied for 12th
Veteran Martin Davalos and his rookie teammate Justin Hill were in the thick of the hunt for a spot inside the top 10 at High Point and after over an hour of battling alongside the world’s best riders, the duo finished the afternoon tied in points.
Davalos’ first moto result wasn’t as good as Hill’s, with the rookie grabbing the early edge by virtue of an 11th-place finish. Davalos followed just a few points behind in 14th. In Moto 2, the momentum swayed into Davalos’ favor as his 10th-place effort bettered Hill’s 13th-place performance. In the end, both riders earned the same amount of points for their efforts, leaving them knotted in 12th. However, thanks to his stronger second moto, Davalos earned the tiebreaker, dropping Hill to 13th.
“It was really tough out there and we had to fight all afternoon long,” said Davalos. “The track was different almost every lap and you really had to be smart about line choice because any slight mistake could either put you on the ground or cause you to lose a lot of momentum. I would love to have a top 10, but we worked hard to take 12th so I’ll take it.”
“It was a tough day’s work out there,” said Hill. “I didn’t get good starts in either moto so I had to come through the field way more than I would have liked. Even though I didn’t make it easy on myself I passed a lot of guys. The track was really tough, so I’m pretty happy all things considered.”
Davalos gained a spot in the standings, taking over 11th, while Hill took over 13th place. The pair sits just four points apart.
Durham Suffers Heartbreak at Home Race
Darryn Durham was hoping to ease his comeback from an injury suffered at the opening round of the season with a strong ride at his hometown track. Durham has logged many laps at High Point and in the first moto it worked in his favor as he battled inside the top 10 the entire race and posted an eighth-place finish. In Moto 2, Durham put himself solid position again, but suffered from misfortune about the midway point in the moto that resulted in a DNF and 14th overall.
“I’m really bummed on how it ended, I love racing here and I just wanted to good finish in front of all my family and friends,” said Durham. “The off week will be good to get some much needed rest and come back strong at the next round. I wish things didn’t end the way they did, but I’ll move on from it and look ahead.”
Durham maintains possession of 16th in the championship.
Looking Ahead >> Budds Creek
The AMA Pro Motocross Championship will have its first off weekend of the season before returing to action in Southern Maryland for the Budds Creek National on June 22nd. The break in action will allow the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team to get some much-needed rest and return refreshed and ready to tackle the fifth round of the championship.
RESULTS >>
Round 4: High Point National – 250 Class (Moto Results)
1. Marvin Musquin (2-1)
2. Ken Roczen (1-2)
3. Eli Tomac (3-4)
...
5. Blake Baggett (4-8)
12. Martin Davalos (14-10)
13. Justin Hill (11-13)
14. Darryn Durham (8-34)
…
Adam Cianciarulo DNR
Round 4: High Point National – 450 Class (Moto Results)
1. Ryan Villopoto (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey (2-2)
3. Tyla Rattray (4-4)
…
Dean Wilson DNR
CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS >>
250 Class
1. Ken Roczen – 185 points
2. Eli Tomac – 170 points
3. Marvin Musquin – 163 points
4. Blake Baggett – 141 points
…
11. Martin Davalos – 73 points
13. Justin Hill – 69 points
16. Darryn Durham – 39 points
450 Class
1. Ryan Villopoto – 193 points
2. Ryan Dungey – 177 points
3. Justin Barcia – 148 points
…
7. Tyla Rattray – 95 points
20. Dean Wilson – 33 points
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