Interviews by Jason Weigandt and Steve Matthes
Chad Reed: Team Two-Two Motorsports Bel-Ray Racing Honda, 12-4 for sixth overall in 450 Class
I don’t have a whole lot of words, I’m just bummed. To be strong in the first six and then terrible in the last six is disappointing. I’m just glad this thing is over because it was getting to be a drag there at the end. I had a good start in the first moto but (Justin) Barcia tagged me in the back and I went down. Second moto, I was second and then passed (Justin) Brayton early on and tried to check out.
I didn’t have a good feeling all day, we have some things to work on. On press day I rode my test bike and today I rode the race bike. There are some things going on we need to find out because we seem to be lost somewhere. I was excited to be here, I thought I had some things to throw down on the guys but in the end, the feeling wasn’t there. I have to regroup in two days and race the MXoN in France and that will be the last race of the year for me.
"I don’t have a whole lot of words, I’m just bummed." - Chad Reed
Photo: Simon Cudby
Brett Metcalfe: Rockstar Makita Suzuki 5-4 for fourth overall in 450 Class
My day was okay, I should have been fourth in the first moto but I stalled it there at the end and Mike Alessi got by me. I was in no-mans land there, I couldn’t catch third and I was ahead of Alessi and was checking on him when I stalled it. Overall, the season was good. It was a success. For me to get a win was a big achievement for me. There were some ups and downs out there but it got better as it went on and with the how deep the class is, fourth is good. Last year second, this year fourth, it’s still respectable.
Reedy was blocking me in the second moto bad, it’s hard to pass on for sure. I had an opportunity to do something but we’re teammates next weekend and it wasn’t the time for it [Laughs].
Marvin Musquin: Red Bull KTM, 4-4 for third overall in 250 Class
Yeah it was a good weekend, like last week. Third overall is good, but a 4-4 is not the greatest. I’ll take it. The year was like a bad dream, so two podiums in two races, that’s good. I’m really excited for the Motocross of Nations and I’ll try to keep my speed like this and we’ll see what happens.
How did the track compare to a normal day riding and testing here?
It was way different. The ruts were deeper, the dirt was better, the jumps were bigger. It was way different. I had a lot of fun, it was so good to ride this track, and also to race in California by my house.
Looking forward to going home for des Nations?
Yeah, really excited to be back in France, and see friends and family. This is always a big race, so this year to have it in France is really good.
"The year was like a bad dream, so two podiums in two races, that’s good." - Marvin Musquin
Photo: Simon Cudby
Blake Baggett: Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, 2-3 for second overall in 250 Class
I’m gonna’ say it was decent. Got a really good start the first moto, ended up getting passed, which is unfortunate, but I was able to hold onto second. That’s all I had for the day.
You had the most overall wins for the year, and finished third overall.
I know I have what it takes, I just need to fix and try to eliminate the mistakes. Or just make them smaller. My highs were pretty high, but I had some really deep lows.
We sensed some tension on the podium after the first moto. What happened there?
No comment.
I'm sure if you could answer this question your whole season could have ended up differently. You started the year so strong, but couldn't find that success every weekend. Did anything change?
I had a really big crash at home, and scrambled up my program I guess. I just never felt great after that, and this was all I could do.
This race seemed better than the last two. Is that a sign things are turning around?
I don’t know. I hope so!
Dean Wilson: Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, 1-1 for first overall in 250 Class
I feel amazing. It was a great day, to win both motos. I was so happy to finish off the season like this.
Good racing in both motos. Sounded like you and Bogle had fun?
Yeah, Bogle and I raced together as amateurs and we’ve always been good friends. But I told him, the day you beat me, we’re not friends anymore! He almost beat me! I was pumped for him, he led a long way and he’s doing really awesome. The first moto was really close between me and Blake.
You and Chad both jumped the end of the rhythm section. Clearly your relationship continues to discussing lines on the track.
Yeah I just like to get as much advice as I can. He has a lot of experience, so we’ll just talk about some things and I’ll try to learn from him. That section, I saw it on press day and I was eying it up. I figured, hey, I have already wrapped up the championship so I might as well go for it. I don’t know if it was any faster but it was cool.
"Yeah, Bogle and I raced together as amateurs and we’ve always been good friends. But I told him, the day you beat me, we’re not friends anymore!" - Dean Wilson
Photo: Simon Cudby
You’ve won all four motos you’ve raced at this track. What’s the deal?
I’m not sure. I liked the track last year more than this year. The rollers work well for me because I’m taller, but otherwise I don’t know what it is. We just gel together.
A lot of guys are kind of burnt out at this point, but I’m sure you excited to be going to des Nations.
Oh I’m so excited to be going to des Nations. It’s one of those races where it’s a totally different scene. It’s fresh, and I’m leaving Monday. I’m just going to do my best. That’s all I can do.
Looked like you were getting yanked in every direction today.
Yeah I’m so glad my mom and dad brought the motorhome so I could hang out a little bit. I’ve never done so many interviews and videos and everything. Yeah, that’s all part of it and I’m okay with it.
Ashley Fiolek: American Honda Racing, 2-3 for 3rd overall in WMX. Clinched 2011 WMX Title
I had a good start in both of my motos. I just wanted to stay up and be safe. The second moto, the sun was really in my eyes and I couldn’t see much. That second moto, the last lap, I was so happy knowing I was closing in on it. I just tried to block out the pressure and ride today. Everyone was riding so awesome today, Tarah and Jessica were really on it.
You have been so consistent in your four years as a pro. Can you even remember the last bad moto you’ve had?
I just try to be consistent, and it’s hard to be consistent in this sport. I really can’t remember the last time I had a really bad moto! I mean, today was probably my worst motos in a while, I finished third. But I was just trying to be safe and wrap up the title.
"Last year I was pretty bummed. Patterson obviously worked really hard last year and she deserved it." - Ashley Fiolek
Photo: Simon Cudby
How badly did you want to come back?
Last year I was pretty bummed. Patterson obviously worked really hard last year and she deserved it. I wanted to get it back and I put in the work. I’m happy with the way I rode this year and had a lot of fun. Happy to get my championship back.
Jessica Patterson: DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha, 1-1 for first overall in WMX
You did your part, winning four of the last five motos.
Yeah, I had pretty good start to the year, but had a few bad motos. I just wasn’t putting in solid enough rides, I guess. I made two big mistakes this year and that cost me, I guess. I think the last few motos proved that’s where I would normally be, up front, but those mistakes cost me. That’s racing. I’m just going to build on it and see what happens. At Southwick, I crashed and got all of this mud in my chain, and there was nothing that I could do, I tried to get it in and out of gear to start it, but there was nothing I could do.
Tarah Gieger: Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda, 3-2 for second overall in WMX
I definitely wanted the win, I had some good starts. I fell a little short, I was getting better in every race. I was excited to get the holeshot and I was glad to stay with Jessica, she had been checking out all year. So I’m glad to make some progess. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off at Hangtown next year. It’s not going to work coming into the last race looking for a win. I need to do that from the start.
I did most of my training in Florida, and it’s pretty much all sand there. So I would come to the races and it would take me a little while to get used to the track. I went out to California after Millville and started riding with my team. That was good to ride on different tracks and with faster riders. In Florida, a lot of times I’m riding by myself, and it’s hard to push yourself.
