Round seven of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships are underway here in muggy Millville, Minnesota. The area was hit by rains last night and it was a tad muddy on the track and in the pits. The first practices were a bit sloppy but everything was turning out pretty good by the second go around and by the motos, this place is going to be primo.
The first 450 practice went off under a drizzle and dark clouds, with the riders finding their way around the numerous hills that dot the track. The second practice times were much better and every rider out there’s qualifying time was better in the second go around.
A couple of notable riders were making their debuts in the series. Former Millville winner John Dowd came out for his first try of the year and will no doubt be in the mix and beating some of the kiddies. As well, long retired former DGY Yamaha rider Chad Pederson, who’s almost as old as Dowd, dusted off the boots to make a one-race comeback. Unfortunately for Pederson, his best time wasn’t enough to make the 40-man field.
Another rider returning from injury did do pretty well though as Honda Racing’s Trey Canard managed to set the fastest time in his first race back in the 450 class. Early in the second practice, Canard blistered a fast lap of 2:10.2 and it stood up as the best. Local boy Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey used his local knowledge to ganer the second best time and points leader Chad Reed was third.
1-Trey Canard 2:10.2
2-Ryan Dungey 2:10.6
3-Chad Reed 2:11.1
4-Mike Alessi 2:12.4
5-Ryan Villopoto 2:13.0
6- Brett Metcalfe 2:13.3
7- Kevin Windham 2:14.0
8-Justin Brayton 2:15.1
9-Andrew Short 2:15.3
10- Tommy Hahn 2:14.4
In the 250 class it was the former points leader Monster Energy Pro Circuit’s Tyla Rattray who led the field around. The South African needs a good race here if he hopes to continue to be a factor in the points series. Rattray’s teammate and points leader Dean Wilson was third and in between that Kawasaki sandwich was GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac. The man who had been doing all the winning Blake Baggett could only muster up an eighth but again, there really was just the one practice. We’ll see if Baggett’s practice crash last week affects him in the race.
1-Tyla Rattray 2:11.3
2-Eli Tomac 2:12.0
3- Dean Wilson 2:12.4
4- Justin Barcia 2:13.5
5- Ryan Sipes 2:14.6
6- Broc Tickle 2:14.9
7- Martin Davalos 2:15.0
8- Blake Baggett 2:15.4
9- Malcolm Stewart 2:15.4
10- Nico Izzi 2:15.9
