Double Podiums for Rockstar Makita Suzuki in Toronto
March 15, 2010, 12:58pm
Toronto, Canada – Rockstar Makita Suzuki riders Ryan Dungey, Austin Stroupe, and Ryan Morais headed north of the border for Round 10 of the AMA FIM Supercross Series. The track inside Toronto's Rogers Centre was technical with some serious marbles and littered with small rocks that made the roost of the bikes, especially the 450s, fierce.
Ryan Morais (who is filling in for injured Matt Moss) took a nasty spill in his timed practice session. After much discussion, it was recommended that he sit out the evening program, as he was too sore to be effective.
In the second Lites heat race, front-runner Austin Stroupe grabbed second at the start with his fuel-injected Suzuki RM-Z250. However, on the first lap, Austin broke through a berm and dropped to third. By the end of lap one, Stroupe had pushed ahead into second and by lap two he moved up into first and pulled away to a commanding win.
The second Supercross heat race featured Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider and series points leader Ryan Dungey. Ryan pulled the holeshot with his Suzuki RM-Z450 and quickly put the hammer down and pulled away form the pack. By the end of the race, Dungey had a dominating 25-second lead at the checkers. Thus, the stage was set for the main events.
Starting with the Lites main, Austin Stroupe found himself with a top-three start and by the end of lap one had settled into second place. Although he kept eventual winner Justin Barcia close, Stroupe was not able to make a pass and owned second place once again. Toronto marks Stroupe's fourth straight podium finish and saw him close to within 7 points of the overall lead.
Stroupe was not happy with second, but was looking at the big picture. “I’m really disappointed that I didn’t get the win, but I rode well and it was nice to close in on the points lead,” Stroupe said. “I’m still looking for wins though, not seconds.”
The start of the Supercross main event was tight with Dungey coming out in third position. He had a hard time getting around Trey Canard but after a few laps in third he finally passed him. By now the gap to first was over seven seconds and Dungey had his work cut out for him.
At the checkered flag, Ryan had closed the gap quite a bit, but it was not enough and second place was as good as it would get. Dungey still enjoys a large points lead and is looking forward to the next race in Texas. “I always want to get the win, but we have a great team and will just keep working hard and trying to improve,” Dungey said after the race. “We are going to be strong in Texas, and hope to get back on the top spot by then.”
AMA Supercross Class Results: Toronto
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Ryan Dungey, Rockstar Makita Suzuki
3. Trey Canard
4. Ivan Tedesco
5. Kevin Windham
6. Josh Hill
7. Nick Wey
8. Tommy Hahn, Rockstar Energy Suzuki
9. Justin Brayton
10. Matt Boni
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Rockstar Makita Suzuki, 214
2. Ryan Villopoto, 197
3. Josh Hill, 177
4. Davi Millsaps, 152
5. Kevin Windham, 147
10. Tommy Hahn, Rockstar Energy Suzuki, 89
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Results:
1. Justin Barcia
2. Austin Stroupe, Rockstar Makita Suzuki
3. Christophe Pourcel
4. Dean Wilson
5. Ryan Sipes
6. Brett Metcalfe
7. Kyle Cunningham
8. Troy Adams, BTOSports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki
9. Mike Willard
10. Nico Izzi
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, 95
2. Austin Stroupe, Rockstar Makita Suzuki, 88
3. Dean Wilson, 71
4. Brett Metcalfe, 65
5. Justin Barcia, 64
7. Blake Baggett, Rockstar Energy Suzuki, 46
Ryan Morais (who is filling in for injured Matt Moss) took a nasty spill in his timed practice session. After much discussion, it was recommended that he sit out the evening program, as he was too sore to be effective.
In the second Lites heat race, front-runner Austin Stroupe grabbed second at the start with his fuel-injected Suzuki RM-Z250. However, on the first lap, Austin broke through a berm and dropped to third. By the end of lap one, Stroupe had pushed ahead into second and by lap two he moved up into first and pulled away to a commanding win.
The second Supercross heat race featured Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider and series points leader Ryan Dungey. Ryan pulled the holeshot with his Suzuki RM-Z450 and quickly put the hammer down and pulled away form the pack. By the end of the race, Dungey had a dominating 25-second lead at the checkers. Thus, the stage was set for the main events.
Starting with the Lites main, Austin Stroupe found himself with a top-three start and by the end of lap one had settled into second place. Although he kept eventual winner Justin Barcia close, Stroupe was not able to make a pass and owned second place once again. Toronto marks Stroupe's fourth straight podium finish and saw him close to within 7 points of the overall lead.
Stroupe was not happy with second, but was looking at the big picture. “I’m really disappointed that I didn’t get the win, but I rode well and it was nice to close in on the points lead,” Stroupe said. “I’m still looking for wins though, not seconds.”
The start of the Supercross main event was tight with Dungey coming out in third position. He had a hard time getting around Trey Canard but after a few laps in third he finally passed him. By now the gap to first was over seven seconds and Dungey had his work cut out for him.
At the checkered flag, Ryan had closed the gap quite a bit, but it was not enough and second place was as good as it would get. Dungey still enjoys a large points lead and is looking forward to the next race in Texas. “I always want to get the win, but we have a great team and will just keep working hard and trying to improve,” Dungey said after the race. “We are going to be strong in Texas, and hope to get back on the top spot by then.”
AMA Supercross Class Results: Toronto
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Ryan Dungey, Rockstar Makita Suzuki
3. Trey Canard
4. Ivan Tedesco
5. Kevin Windham
6. Josh Hill
7. Nick Wey
8. Tommy Hahn, Rockstar Energy Suzuki
9. Justin Brayton
10. Matt Boni
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Rockstar Makita Suzuki, 214
2. Ryan Villopoto, 197
3. Josh Hill, 177
4. Davi Millsaps, 152
5. Kevin Windham, 147
10. Tommy Hahn, Rockstar Energy Suzuki, 89
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Results:
1. Justin Barcia
2. Austin Stroupe, Rockstar Makita Suzuki
3. Christophe Pourcel
4. Dean Wilson
5. Ryan Sipes
6. Brett Metcalfe
7. Kyle Cunningham
8. Troy Adams, BTOSports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki
9. Mike Willard
10. Nico Izzi
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, 95
2. Austin Stroupe, Rockstar Makita Suzuki, 88
3. Dean Wilson, 71
4. Brett Metcalfe, 65
5. Justin Barcia, 64
7. Blake Baggett, Rockstar Energy Suzuki, 46
