After starting out the season riding incredibly at Hangtown, Ryan Sipes had two consecutive rounds he just wanted to put behind him. He rode amazing on Saturday at Mt. Morris. In the first moto he was running 5th and making up ground on Tyla Rattray for 4th. He had an unfortunate fall in a corner that dropped him a few positions. He got up in front of Trey Canard and motored on. Trey paced him for the entire rest of the moto and made up no ground. In the second moto his start was not as good as the first, but he rode equally as well. He moved forward all the way to 6th, this time with Justin Barcia in tow. In similar fashion to moto 1, Barcia was unable to catch Ryan. Both of those opponents have finished near the front all season, including multiple finishes in the top 3. While Sipes’ current goal is still to finish in the top 5, he now knows if everything fall into place, he could find himself with his first ever 450 class podium. One noteworthy point as Ryan continues to improve, is his focus. While in the beginning of the season he had a sort of mental fatigue showing up for a brief few minutes mid moto, it was evident in Pennsylvania that he had remedied that issue.

Ryan Sipes: “I felt like it was a solid weekend. I’m proud of my finishes. I felt like I got decent starts, at least close to the top ten and just worked my way up. I would have liked to have gotten 5th in the first moto but I had a little tip over. I’m happy to rebound and get a decent finish because I had a bad two weeks In Colorado and Tennessee.”

Jason Anderson’s day did not show on paper just how good he rode. In the first moto he looked as if he was progressing towards his best finish of the year. He made a pass into 5th and was clearly making up ground on the top three in the process. Moments after making the move, he was hit hard by Zach Osborne in a very precarious location and was sent sprawling to the ground. He lost a lot of positions, but one thing about the Jason Anderson of 2013, he never, ever gives up. He rode great to finish in 12th position, although his performance should have rewarded him with a much higher result. The second moto was quite simply a war. It was an engagement with himself and five other riders. They all swapped positions several times. Jason could have finished anywhere from 3rd to 8th. By race’s end, the cards held a 7th for Anderson. One thing was for certain though, he was battling with championship contenders the whole and he beat Blake Bagget straight up. The speed is there without a doubt.

Jason Anderson: “Highpoint was alright. I had a kind of crappy first moto and second moto I ended up 7th. I was battling up near the front basically the whole time. I just gotta figure things out, head into the break, enjoy it a little and go to Budds Creek and see how it goes.”

Blake Wharton just simply had an off day. It started out great in the first practice with a qualifying time on par with the rest of the top guys. Things started to go awry as early as the second practice. Blake’s fast time in the second go around was not as good as the first, even though the track had improved. He struggled in the first moto but still made a vast improvement in moto 2. The upcoming break will be very good for Blake. He can spend the time, not resting, but working on the things he needs to improve and return to the consistency he has experienced in prior races. Every rider has a day here and there where things just don’t go according to plan.

Blake Wharton: “I don’t really have a lot to say after this race. I think the track really came around the last moto. I think it was as good as a track has been this year. It was gnarly. Pretty good considering it got a lot of rain. It usually dries up pretty quick though cause it’s on a hillside. I didn’t have a great weekend to say the least. I struggled a little bit with my starts but I was close. I just couldn’t get around that turn one or two spots better. It was like you just missed a good start because of those spots. I just rode average really. This next weekend is off then we’re heading into Budds Creek. Just gonna keep riding and trying to improve.”

Nico Izzi was very fast as the day began. In the first qualifying session he finished with a stellar 3rd fastest lap time. The second practice was more of the same until disaster struck in the closing laps. Nico was putting in what he thought was his best time and was railing one of the many fast ruts on the PA course. He caught his toe on a neighboring rut and twisted his recently injured knee. He will see the doctor on Monday and is trying to stay positive. Izzi and the team hope the prognosis will be positive and he will only be out a couple weeks. He has worked extremely hard to get back on the bike and was just returning to form.

The team will spend the weekend off testing and finding ways to improve the entire program as they always do, before heading to Budds Creek in Maryland in two weeks. Sipes will be able to hold his head high and know that his future holds some very positive finishes. Anderson will do the same and come back swinging for better results. Wharton will look to learn from the past weekend and build towards a more successful race day. Izzi will hope for a good doctor visit and be back on the track as soon as possible.

2013 High Point Raceway 450 Class Results (Moto Finish):
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (2-2)
3. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (4-4)
4. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (3-7)
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (10-3)
6. Trey Canard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Honda, (7-5)
7. Ryan Sipes, Elizabethtown, Ky., Suzuki (6-6)
8. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha (5-8)
9. Jake Weimer, Twin Falls, Idaho, Kawasaki (8-9)
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki (11-11)

2013 AMA Motocross 450 Class Championship Standings:
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 193
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 177
3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 148
4. Trey Canard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Honda, 120
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki,116
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 104
7. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki, 95
8. Ryan Sipes, Elizabethtown, Ky., Suzuki, 79
9. Jake Weimer, Twin Falls, Idaho, Kawasaki, 69
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 67

2013 High Point Raceway 250 Class Results (Moto Finish):
1. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (2-1)
2. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (1-2)
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (3-4)
4. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Honda (10-3)
5. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (4-8)
6. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (5-9)
7. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha (9-6)
8. Cooper Webb, Morehead City, N.C., Yamaha (6-11)
9. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., KTM, (13-5)
10. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki (12-7)

2013 AMA Motocross 250 Class Championship Standings:
1. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 185
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 170
3. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 163
4. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 141
5. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Honda, 127
6. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 100
7. Cooper Webb, Morehead City, N.C., Yamaha, 90
8. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 89
9. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 88
10. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha, 81

Thunder Valley also marked the first of two rounds that Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 riders Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos will be competing in, before heading back to the GP series where they currently sit 3rd and 4th respectively in championship points. The format in US motocross is much different than the duo is accustomed to. So not only were they dealing with elevation, but also a completely unfamiliar composition. GP’s are set over a course of two days as opposed to one in the US. They have practice on Saturdays and then a full qualifying race. Then on Sunday they race their main events which are actually 35 minutes plus two laps. In the US all of the practice, qualifying and racing is in one day. It is a big difference to have to set a fast lap in practice for a qualifying gate pick. Sprint speed is vastly different in lap time from that in the actual moto and typically takes a while to adapt to. The motos are also shorter, being 30 minutes plus two laps.

Ryan Sipes did not have a weekend as successful as the opening round in California. His starts were not as good and he suffered from a pretty scary crash over the tracks huge step-up quad jump. Two things however remained the same. He has a bit of a loss of concentration in the middle of the motos, but is very strong at the end. His ability to charge through the last lap is certainly a testament to his training program with Randy Lawrence, and his work ethic. Ryan’s fitness is incredible. Take away the small mistakes and fix the middle of the motos and Sipes will be fighting for the top 5.

Ryan Sipes: “Colorado wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. In the first moto I kind of got a bad start and then jumped off the track. Tried to grind the side of the jump, went down and just never could get back going. The second moto I felt ok, I actually had a good start but I kind of spun out in the first turn. It was just tough back there and the first couple of laps I got separated from some dudes and it just never panned out for me, I couldn’t find the flow. I finished strong and I’m looking forward to next weekend. It’s probably as much of a home race as you can get. I grew up racing the mega series down at Muddy creek since I was on 50’s. I know the track is gonna be completely different but it should be fun.”

Blake Wharton is improving every moto. His breathing is improving as his septum heals, which in turn is improving his stamina, which will lead to more speed. He is getting back to form one step at a time and has something to build on after every time he crosses the finish line. He finished a solid 8th in the 2nd moto which is certainly a step in the right direction.

Blake Wharton: “Colorado, the track was a little different this year. It was a little more sandy. It still got rutted but it didn’t rut up as much. Definitely just need to continue to try and workout my issues, my nose is healing a little more each week. Just been practicing. Got some decent starts today. The second moto I was able to ride a lot better. I’m looking forward to racing next weekend. We’ve never raced a national there but I grew up racing on that track. Muddy Creek is kind of well known so that will be cool.”

Overall Jason Anderson had one good finish and one bad finish. However he rode well in both motos. Anderson is also one of those riders that is affected immensely by altitude. In the first moto he improved his placement rounding the first turn for his best start of the season thus far en route to a 5th place finish. In the second moto, he crossed the finish line on the first lap several seconds in last place. That puts a lot of guys in front of him to pick up any points at all and salvage the moto. Jason was simply on the gas. He managed to work his way around enough riders to complete the moto in 12th place. A stellar charge through the pack. Jason just needs to put two motos together and he will find himself on or near the podium immediately.

Jason Anderson: “This weekend was pretty good, well kinda good. Half good. The first race I ended up 5th which was a decent 5th, I feel like I should have ended up 4th. The second moto I took a digger in the first corner and came back to 4th. So I think I secured the RC Hard Charger Award. That’s about the end of my day.”

Nico Izzi made a vast improvement from week 1 to week 2. He is unquestionably not finishing where his talent and drive will take him in the near future though. It doesn’t take a motocross genius to know that it would take Nico three or four rounds to get it back. On the other hand, with the progress Izzi made in just one round it may come sooner than expected.

Nico Izzi: “The first moto was good man, I had a good start. I was top ten for at least the first few laps but I lost my rear brake on the 4th lap. Then it was just survival mode. The track was really rough and I couldn’t charge down the hills like I had to. So I just tried to stay where I could and salvage some points, so I was pumped I got 11th. Stoked for the second moto, I was pumped to go out there and rip it up, then the same thing happened again. They lasted a little longer, til about the 6th lap. So I was just basically trying to get by this weekend and salvage whatever I could.”

Clement Desalle has actually raced at Thunder Valley one other time for the Motocross of Nations where he did really well. The format for that annual race however is the same as a normal weekend at a GP race. Desalle was still able to open a lot of eyes in 450 practice one qualifying 2nd and joining only Ryan Villopoto in the 1:53 lap time range. Clement had a successful first moto finishing 5th. He was clearly faster than 5th but not quite enough to be able to move forward in the pack. In the second moto he was not able to better that position but finished the day with a 6th overall. With the travel schedule and very little time to adapt it was a very good day for Desalle.

Clement Desalle: “The morning was good, it was positive. The first practice I was second. I’m not used to the motocross style here where everything is in one day and really quick. Two laps free then you have to make the best lap possible. So that was quite good. The first moto I started in 4th then I made a small mistake and [Trey] Canard passed me. I was faster than him but I could never pass him back and I finished 5th. In the second moto my start was not so good. I was 6th and then I finished 7th. I’m not used to high altitude. Its not an excuse but it was a long trip and really busy last week, so it’s not too bad.”

Kevin Strijbos had a bit more to overcome on Saturday than his teammate including a first turn crash putting him all the way in the back at the beginning of moto 1. Strijbos put his head down and assembled an amazing ride coming all the way back to 10th. Kevin has never competed in an AMA National, or even lined up for any race in the United States so that is incredible. In his second moto he was able to improve on that finish with an 8th for 9th overall, giving him a top ten in his first try. After racing all the way in Brazil one week ago, traveling to the California, having very little time to test, traveling to Colorado, then just jumping into a very foreign experience, both riders had a marvelous day.

Kevin Strijbos: “I think overall it was a fairly good day for my first national especially with the elevation here which was pretty tough. It’s so different in practice how you go two laps slow and then you have to be on it. It was kind of strange. In the first race I think I had a good start then I crashed in the first corner. Then I was charging and I came back to 10th from 38th so I was really happy with that. I was really kind of tired. Then in the second race, again I got a good start. I went kind of wide in the first corner to be sure that nothing happened and I could make it safe into the first lap. Then I was trying to push but I felt really quick that I already didn’t have the power from the first race and I was already a little bit tired. So I just slowed down a little bit so I could keep a good pace the whole race. In the end I was 8th so overall I’m happy. I think this is the most tired I’ve been in the last 6,7 or 8 years so I’m dead but I’m really happy with this. We can build on this and try to make it better and be ready for the next round.”

The series moves to a track that has never had a Pro National next week. It is a track that has held Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Championship Qualifiers for years however, so some top riders have raced there before. With Muddy Creek never having a National though, it sort of equalizes the field, taking a bit of the disadvantage away from Desalle and Strijbos who will aim to improve on their Colorado performances. Sipes, who raced on this track much of his life as an amateur will look to ride more like he did in round 1. Anderson will try to put both motos together and get closer to an overall podium finish. Wharton and Izzi will continue to build on their improvements and mover closer to where they belong.

Ryan Sipes: http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-thunder-valley-mx-photo-gallery-ryan-sipes/

Blake Wharton: http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-thunder-valley-mx-photo-gallery-blake-wharton/

Jason Anderson: http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-thunder-valley-motocross-national-photo-gallery-jason-anderson/

Nico Izzi: http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-racing-thunder-valley-motocross-photo-gallery-nico-izzi/

Clement Desalle: http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-suzuki-world-mx1-thunder-valley-mx-photo-gallery-clement-desalle/

Kevin Strijbos: http://mx.rockstarenergy.com/rockstar-energy-suzuki-world-mx1-thunder-valley-mx-photo-gallery-kevin-strijbos-2/
2013 Thunder Valley AMA Motocross 450 Class Results (Moto Finish):
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (2-2)
3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (3-4)
4. Trey Canard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Honda (4-5)
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (6-6)
6. Clement Desalle, Belgium, Suzuki (5-7)
7. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki (15-3)
8. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (7-10)
9. Kevin Strijbos, Belgium, Suzuki (10-8)
10. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (11-9)

2013 450 Point Standings (after two of 12 rounds):
1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki, 100
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 88
3. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 70
4. Trey Canard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Honda, 70
5. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 66
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 54
7. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki, 49
8. Ryan Sipes, Elizabethtown, Ky., Suzuki, 37
9. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki, 36
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 34

2013 Thunder Valley Motocross 250 Class Results (Moto Finish):
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (2-1)
2. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (1-3)
3. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Honda (6-2)
4. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (4-4)
5. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (9-5)
6. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha (8-6)
7. Martin Davalos, Ecquador, Kawasaki (7-10)
8. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki (5-12)
9. Cooper Webb, Morehead City, N.C., Yamaha (3-17)
10. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (13-7)

2013 250 Class Championship Standings:
1. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 95
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 89
3. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM, 72
4. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 70
5. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Honda, 65
6. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 50
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 49
8. Cooper Webb, Morehead City, N.C., Yamaha, 43
9. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha, 39
10. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 39