The pits were abuzz in Toronto this morning with news that points leader Ryan Villopoto was battling a severe case of food poisoning. News early in the morning was the Villopoto would skip the first untimed practice, before trying to make it out for the last two timed sessions. As the day progressed, RV’s situation became bleaker. He was unable to participate in either timed practices. But, due to a provision in the AMA rulebook, any rider that is currently top ten in points gets a provisional and will receive last gate pick in the heat race. Again, Villopoto will be racing tonight only if he is able to physically. At the moment, no one is sure.
On the track, Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart and Discount Tire/TwoTwo Motorsports fill-in Dean Wilson were playing a game of who could top who in the second timed practice. Stewart jumped to the top early, laying down a heater (50.920.) Wilson would quickly take second with a 50.323, but by that time Stewart had dropped down to a 49.772. Wilson fired back, getting into the 49-second range and even took over the top spot for a brief period. In the end, Stewart was too strong and laid down a blistering 49.138. That matched up well with Stewart’s 49.079 in the first session, and that would stand up as the fastest. The track went through some changes for the final session, though, so the final times are more realistic for tonight’s racing.
Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen (50.043), Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia (50.499) and a late charging Toyota JGR Yamaha’s Justin Brayton (50.794) would fill in behind Stewart and Wilson.
The big story in 250SX also involved the points leader. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo went down hard in the whoops early in the first timed practice. He quickly gathered himself and headed to the mechanics area. Soon after, he was with the Asterisk Medical team and looked to be receiving treatment on his shoulder. Since he was unable to put a time down in the first practice, he was forced to ride the second practice to be able to qualify for the night show. He qualified fourteenth. We will continue to update his progress throughout the night, so make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@racerxonline).
Cianciarulo’s teammate Martin Davalos, who enters the night second in points, was fastest overall with a 50.982. GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle, who last week finished a career high second, was second fastest overall with a 51.415. Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin was third with a 51.598.
We spoke with Jeremy earlier in the day and he seemed in good spirits despite his trying season. He’s in California working to get things headed in the right direction, and he feels he is close to doing it.
In other news, JGR/Toyota Yamaha’s Josh Grant is out of the race with an illness, and Soaring Eagle Casino RCH Suzuki’s Broc Tickle took a big digger in practice and had to be transported to the hospital. We’ve heard it’s only for precautionary measures, as Broc’s back is hurting, so he is out for tonight. Chris Blose blew an engine in practice and is also out.
Monster Energy Supercross is back live on Fox Sports 1 tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern time).
