ATLANTA (February 23, 2008) – The Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites championship opens tomorrow at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome with defending Western Regional AMA Supercross champion Ryan Villopoto racing for the first title of his career on the east coast. In the premier AMA Supercross class, Torco Fuels Honda’s Kevin Windham, of
Fans of Monster Energy Supercross can watch the AMA Supercross class race on CBS Sports Sunday at (EST). The AMA Supercross Lites class race will air on SPEED Saturday, March 1 at
As the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Championship heads into a break until Seattle, a host of riders have their sites set on removing Villopoto from the number-one position, including Torco Fuels Honda’s Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., and Tray Cannard, of Elk City, Okla., Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Branden Jesseman, of New Brighton, Pa., Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Nico Izzi, of St. Clair, Mich., and Yamaha of Troy’s Ryan Morais, of Temecula, Calif.
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s AMA Supercross class rider David Vuillemin heads to
“I am feeling pretty sore and scratched up from my heat race crash in
For AMA Supercross Lites rider Nico Izzi, the Georgia Dome will be the site of his supercross debut. The 17-year-old rider was one of Suzuki’s most decorated amateur athletes before turning pro during the 2007 AMA Motocross Lites season. In his second-ever AMA Motocross Lites race at
“I’m not really that nervous about
Meanwhile, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Michael Byrne will be on-site at the
“Obviously I’d rather be racing at the Georgia Dome,” said Byrne, who injured his leg last December. “I think the
Finally, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi is still recovering from breaking his right collarbone in
MDK KTM AMA Supercross Lites riders Matt Goerke and
Both riders have adapted extremely well to their new KTM 250 SX-F machines in the past few months and are excited to test the waters in their first AMA Supercross Lites race aboard the orange bikes. “I love the power and the way the bike handles. The bikes are so fast, and I felt comfortable since day one,” remarked Goerke on his new factory ride. His teammate Sipes agrees that the power the KTM puts out is truly its most remarkable quality.
In addition, both riders also share similar goals for the season. Sipes intends to get out front early in order to stay up front through the end. “
Furthermore, both MDK KTM Lites riders will be joined by MDK KTM Factory rider Martin Davalos. The veteran of the KTM teams, Davalos expects nothing short of a win. “I have been training all winter long for this season and feel I am at the top of my game.” He continued, “I feel it is time to put a KTM on the top of the podium, and I would like to be the one to do that.”
Although the Lites race looks to be action-packed, MDK KTM Factory rider Nick Wey also hopes to make a splash on the scene by shooting for his fifth-consecutive top 10 finish of the season in the AMA Supercross class.
“I have remained consistent the past few races and intend to remain well inside the top 10 as we head to Atlanta and the remainder of the races on the east coast.” Wey has been busy training out on the west coast but looks forward to returning to the east, where he still resides part time. “I can’t wait for the second half of the season where my family and hometown friends can come out and support me and the rest of the KTM team.”
On the strength of three straight podium finishes, Monster Energy®
“
Ferry’s teammate Travis Preston comes to
“I’m just working on my starts and endurance,” said
In the AMA Supercross Lites class, Villopoto is making his east coast debut. The two-time AMA Motocross Lites champion will be a rookie of sorts as he learns the new venues.
“I haven’t run on the east before,” said Villopoto. “I know the dirt is softer, which is like my track in
Though Villopoto may be new to the east, his Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Branden Jesseman knows the tracks well, after winning the 2003 AMA Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Championship.
“It feels good to ride with such a great team,” said Jesseman. “It should be a good year and I’m looking forward to racing with Ryan.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart will also be at the event in
For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross an FIM World Championship please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig [email protected] or
ABOUT LIVE NATION
Live Nation is the future of the music business. With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online. Headquartered in
Comments are closed.