Pro Circuit Race Report: Washougal

CORONA, Calif.- Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki once again swept the 250 class podium in the AMA Motocross Championship Series with Blake Baggett earning the overall win at Washougal MX in Washougal, Wash. As he moved into third in the second moto, he secured his fifth win of the season with a 1-3, while teammates Wilson and Rattray rounded out the podium with a 5-1 and 2-2, respectively. Not to be counted out, Broc Tickle looks to be a Hard Charger award contender as he fought back in the second moto from 39th on the first lap to 16th to earn 10th overall for the day with a 9-16.

Although he was unaware of earning his fifth overall when he crossed the second moto finish line, Baggett was given the good news as he made it to the podium. He had captured a dominating win in the first moto, but had to come through the pack in the second moto to finish 1-3, which beat out his teammate Rattray by one point.

“I was thinking I had missed out on another win, but then Erin Bates from Speed told me that I was the winner and I needed to get up there for the interview,”said Baggett. “It was a great surprise to end the day, especially after I didn’t feel like I rode that well in the second moto. My teammates were on it and I couldn’t get up to them. I’m happy for a little bit of a break now and I’ll keep trying to chip away at the points.”

Rattray nearly grabbed another overall victory with a last lap charge in the second moto, but settled for a good day of earning points toward teammate Wilson. With his solid 2-2 moto finish, Rattray moved three points closer to first before the series heads into a two week break.

“I’m bummed that I wasn’t able to get Wilson at the end because that would have been three more points toward the championship, but I know that overall today was a good day,”said Rattray. “I don’t like to settle for anything but a win, but Wilson was on it in the second moto and I wasn’t able to get close until the end. I think it will be good to get a little break and regroup before the final four rounds.”

Continuing his podium streak, Wilson was able to maintain his points lead with a come-from-behind finish in the first moto for fifth and a wire-to-wire victory in the second moto for third overall. Wilson now leads his teammate Rattray in the championship by 13 points.

“My first moto was pretty bad and I couldn’t get up past fifth,”said Wilson. “I knew I didn’t want to give up any more points in the second moto and I felt great the whole time. I think I slowed a little too much at the end because Tyla ended up being right there at the finish. Not winning isn’t fun, but If I have to keep getting up here to win a championship and don’t actually win an overall, that is what I’ll have to do.”

While his results don’t show it, Tickle was turning solid lap times around the notoriously difficult track. In the first moto, a tough start put him outside the top-20, but he was able to break into the top-10 for ninth. The second moto didn’t start how he wanted as he crashed on the opening lap. The first time he came through timing and scoring he was 39th, but Tickle proved he has a never-quit attitude and made it all the way into 16th.

“I don’t know why I keep having the bad luck at the beginning of the motos, but I am still trying to show that I have speed and endurance to run at the front despite my circumstances,”said Tickle. “I know I am riding well once I get going and that will be something I can build with once we come back from our break. I’m going to be getting married so that will be something positive to look forward to.”

The AMA Motocross Championship series will take a two-weekend break before resuming August 13 at Unadilla in New Berlin, N.Y. After eight rounds, Wilson remains in the lead with 346 points, while Rattray maintained second with 333 points over Baggett’s 329 points in third. Tickle was able to stay in sixth with 187 points.