125/250 MX National Kickoff – News – Dirt Rider

The national kickoff took place this past weekend win some intenseracing and the return of several big hitters. Ricky Carmichael won both motosand continued his Outdoor win streak from last season but it was what happenedbehind his roost that kept things interesting. Kevin Windham’s return to racinghas to be one of the highlights of the weekend. K-Dub was on the gas and readyto ride. Aside from a minor off-track mishap during the first moto whileleading, he looked fueled and ready to race again. Windham was kicked off lineslightly off a step up table jump and hit a plastic water barrier. He lost morepositions when he had trouble re-firing his Factory Connection/No Fear/ Hondabacked CRF450R.

Suzuki’s Travis Pastrana also returned toaction at Glen Helen but it was short lived. Pastrana looked fast but a crashin practice and an incident during the first moto caused him to pull off. Itwas later discovered that Pastrana once again injured his fragile knees."It will probably end his season," said Dr. Fagan who works with TeamSobe Suzuki. "I am pretty sure he blew it out." His most recentinjury could very well affect the fate of his career racing motocross. Rumorhas it that his contract with Suzuki is up at the end of this year and it isuncertain whether they will sign him since he has missed more races that he hasattended over the last three years racing a 250. Later reports said that hisinjury was less severe than originally though and there is now a chance he maybe back riding shortly.

By now, most of you know that JamesStewart was unable to make the opening round of the national after braking hiscollar bone at the Vegas supercross one week prior to Glen Helen. With thecurrent national champion sidelined, it was almost anyone’s ball game.

Before the start of the day it looked likethe 125 class would end up a clash between the 30-something rider Mike Brownaboard the PC KX125 and Ryan Hughes aboard the Red Bull KTM 125. For Brown, itas a great day, winning moto one moto and finishing close behind moto twovictor Grant Langston. Brown earned the overall and the series point lead goinginto round two in Sacramento, California. Langston, who switched classes justwon week prior due to the fact he had a batter chance at winning a tile since Stewartwill several races. Plus, Langston was sill nursing a sore wrist and it wasprobably easier to ride a 125 over a 250.

125 mounted Hughes looked to have thespeed to take it but that was before be crashed in practice and possiblyinjured his thumb. Hughes still competed but was forced to ride with cautionsince he was unable to grasp the bike very well. However, Hughes was still ableto dig deep and put in a remarkable to finish out the day third overall.

It is going to be a long 125 season. The leaders are going to haveto look out when Stewart comes back into the mix.

All in all, the racing was awesome at GlenHelen. It was great to see the return of several great riders such as Suzuki’sSebastien Tortelli Yamaha’s David Vuillemin and Chaparral/Factory Connection’sMike LaRocco.

The talent in both classes is quite deep and it is going to be aninteresting season. For a complete schedule of events, check out the Dirt RiderEvent Calendar on this site.