Rome, Ga. - Red Bull Honda's Ashley Fiolek won her third consecutive AMA/WMA Woman's National Motocross Championship aboard Pirelli tires at Thunder Valley Raceway in Lakewood Colo., Saturday night. In a perfect Pirelli Tire podium sweep, Fiolek was joined by Sherri Cruse and Jessica Patterson, whom finished second and third respectively.
In the first-ever AMA Motocross National under the lights, Fiolek took charge in the opening moto with a great start and held off Yamaha's Tarah Gieger to score the win. Fiolek struggled off the start in moto two and salvaged a third-place finished, which was good for the overall win. She now holds a commanding 140-108 points lead over Suzuki's Sarah Whitmore.
"We are extremely proud of Ashley's results this year," said Josh Whitmire, Pirelli's MX Manager. "This is her rookie season in the WMA, and she has yet to lose an overall this season. Pirelli Tire looks forward to providing the best support possible as the WMA Championship rolls on."
Riding to her career-best moto and overall finish, Pirelli Tire-backed Sherri Cruse piloted her Zip-TY Suzuki to 4-1 finishes, good for second overall on the illuminated Thunder Valley race track. After picking up the holeshot, Cruse began extending her lead and won the first moto of her career.
"Sherri's second moto was amazing," said Whitmire. "Once she won the holeshot, she began to gap the field. We look forward to watching her build off this confidence-building race."
Pirelli Tire's Jessica Patterson, riding a Bad Boy Honda, finished third overall with 3-2 finishes. In moto one she fought back after an early crash to earn a podium position.
The AMA/WMA Women's National Motocross Championship Presented by Kawasaki returns to action on July 26-27 in Washougal, Washington. The series is also sponsored by: Honda Rider's Club of America, Dunlop Tires, Alpinestars, The Original Pink Box, Thor MX Gear, Drill Tech Drilling and Shoring, Team Powermadd, Polisport, Bad Boy Turbo Shot and ZLT Racing.
AMA/WMA Women's National Motocross Championship Results, Lakewood, Colo.
1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda/Pirelli, 1-3
2. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki/Pirelli, 4-1
3. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda/Pirelli, 3-2
4. Tarah Gieger, Vero Beach, Fla., Yamaha, 2-4
5. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Suzuki, 5-9
6. Tatum Sik, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 10-5
7. Penni Cyrus, Queen Creek, Ariz., Kawasaki, 9-6
8. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 7-8
9. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki/Pirelli, 6-10
10. Ashley Boham, Loveland, Colo., Kawasaki, 11-11
AMA/WMA Women's National Motocross Championship Points
1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda/Pirelli, 140
2. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Suzuki, 108
3. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda/Pirelli, 106
4. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki/Pirelli, 91
5. Tarah Gieger, Vero Beach, Calif., Yamaha, 88
6. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki/PIrelli, 87
7. Tatum Sik, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 83
8. Alisa Nix, Ukiah, Calif., Yamaha, 76
9. Ayla Cabus, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 63
10. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 62
Pirelli Tire North America specializes in manufacturing and marketing high-performance tires for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, ATV's and motorsports. An industry leader in technology and quality, Pirelli operates its highly advanced Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) in Rome, Georgia, to better serve the American OEM and Replacement markets. For more information please visit: www.us.pirelli.com.