Welcome to The Weekly Dirt, the place to go each Wednesday to catch up on the latest happenings in the realm of off-road motorcycling. This week, a hodgepodge of off-road news!
Chad Reed (left) and Ryan Villopoto go at it in Houston earlier in the year. Photo by Shan Moore
First up, Ryan Villopoto came back from a devastating injury last year, breaking his right leg in St. Louis, to win this year’s Supercross title. It was a rollercoaster ride for the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider, who jumped out to a huge lead in the standings only to give it all up when he failed to qualify in Jacksonville. But Villopoto held tough, and after his win in Vegas he credited his trainer Aldon Baker for his success this year. No doubt, Villopoto will be the man to beat outdoors.
Chad Reed was impressive in 2011 as a rider and a manager. Photo by Shan Moore
Kudos to Chad Reed for his success as both a rider and a team manager. Reed came into the year with a new attitude, and it showed in the pits and on the track. Many thought this year would be a last hurrah for the Aussie star, but instead he came within four points of the title. The latest word is that Chad will ride the outdoor series, with help from Bel Ray.
Paul Whibley won this weekend’s OMA race in Tennessee. Photo by Shan Moore
In sort of an off-road roundup, Paul Whibley took the win at this weekend’s OMA race in Tennessee, at the Motion Pro Hangman Cross-country National, round three of the Parts Unlimited Off-road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals, near Hanging Limb. Whibley beat out Am Pro Yamaha teammates Thad DuVall and Jordan Ashburn for the win. All three had to follow Whibley’s New Zealand cohort Rory Mead, who borrowed a bike from Whibley and led nearly an hour of the race before running out of fuel.
Andrew DeLong won the AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship race in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey. Photo by Shan Moore
Finally, Enduro and GNCC racer Andrew DeLong won this weekend’s round of the AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship race in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey. DeLong topped fellow Pennsylvania KTM riders Shane Hufford and Jerod Stoner for the win. DeLong has had some impressive finishes in both GNCC and National Enduro and was recently selected to the U.S. Junior Trophy Team which will compete in this year’s ISDE in Finland. Remember the name!
