Cosworth Atlanta Recap
Inside the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Saturday night was packed! 70,000 plus attended this event. This event is like the season opener at Anaheim one. Some of the teams said. It’s definitely a must on you bucket list! The track is covered by a dome and the energy inside is crazy. The track seemed to be in standard Atlanta form. The rhythm section was flowing, fast and challenging. There was a face jump that launched you into the sand section, then once in the sand, you had to make sure you didn’t bury your front tire to make it out. The challenging track looked like the riders had their work cut out for them.
Cosworth’s Kyle Cunningham was still in discomfort from last week’s crash in testing. There was no practicing mid week for the Cosworth rider. He wanted to give his wrist all the rest time possible before having to come out and deal with the challenging Atlanta track.
In Q1 KC was looking good. We were seventh fastest in with a 54.70 and the leader was Barcia with a 53.13. In Q2 it was even better for the Cosworth rider. Kyle clicked off a 53.83 and moved up to fifth fastest in that session. At the end of the qualifying, it was Roczen putting down a 52.13 for the fastest time of both sessions.
In the heat race’s we were in heat two. This gave KC a bit longer to relax his wrist and prepare himself for the race. When it was time for the gate to drop, it was Roczen with the holeshot. Cosworth’s, Kyle Cunningham had a great line to the inside around the first turn with Kilbarger, Bogle, and Rife in the mix. Down the first stretch Bogle got around us and took off. That put the Cosworth rider in third and still in a great position to finish. Bogle was coming for Roczen and Roczen went down! Bogle now had the lead and checked out. Roczen regained his balance and finished second with and great ride from Cunningham in third!
The heats were over and the 70,000 plus fans were on there feet ready to get this Lites main under way. The gate dropped one and it was Barcia out in the lead. Roczen blew the gate and was left sitting on the line. Stewart was not on the gate due to his crash in the heat race and a bike not starting in the LCQ. It was Baggett in second, Durham in third. Wharton and Bogle are running together and got by Durham. Cosworth’s, Kyle Cunningham got around Vincent to give chase to the rest of the pack. KC continued to push it, when a mishap irritated his injured wrist. At this point Kyle held on to finish the race and make it through without irritating the wrist anymore then he could. Barcia ended up wining flowed by the rest of the field; 2. Baggett, 3. Bogle, 4. Wharton, 5. Durham, 6. Roczen, 7. Cunningham, 8. Hewitt, 9. Canada, 10. Sewell
Cosworth’s Kyle Cunningham put on a great effort with having to ride with an injured wrist and finished seventh. We are happy with the effort and out come of everything at this event said Cosworth’s Donovan Norris. This Yamaha Star Valli Motorsports team has put together a great team and dealing with injures is part of the game. We are looking forward to St. Louis and hope teammate Kyle Peters will be able to race also.
Cosworth MX Components can be purchased right here in the US. Go to www.cosworthusa.com