Barcia Leads the Pirelli Charge at the Hangtown Motocross Classic

SACRAMENTO (May 22, 2016) – The opening round of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship kicked off Saturday with the annual GoPro Hangtown Motocross Classic. A large energetic crowd filled the facility’s hillsides as dark clouds and rain showers threatened the forecast throughout the day, however, the weather held off and provided near perfect conditions. Pirelli had its highly versatile, wide-range SCOPRION™ MX tire lineup on hand to suit each rider’s need, but the MX32™ front and rear tires were the preferred selections throughout the paddock.

Autotrader/Monster Energy/Yamaha’s Justin Barcia entered the day full of confidence after recording race-winning performances during last season’s Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The New Yorker got off to top-10 starts in both races, logging consistent laps to lead Pirelli-supported riders with a seventh place (10-6) overall finish. Fellow JGRMX teammate Phil Nicoletti battled his way through the talented 40-rider field to complete the 450SX Class top-10 (11-9).

BTO Sports/WPS/KTM’s Andrew Short returned to action for the first time since an injury sustained during the Monster Energy Supercross season earlier in the year. Despite his mid-pack start, the likeable veteran put in an impressive effort to finish 13th (15-12). “Shorty” expects to gain momentum and race fitness as the series continues, aiming to improve his position in the running order.

Autotrader/Monster Energy/Yamaha’s Weston Peick suffered a big crash during the opening laps of race one, which forced him to pull out of the race with a mangled bike. The tough Californian not only lined up for the second 450MX Class moto, but he sliced his way through traffic to finish just outside of the top-10. He was credited with 16th (39-13) in the official results.

The newest addition to the BTO Sports/WPS/KTM Benny Bloss rode strong in the first moto before a mistake dropped him several positions in the running order, but retaliated with a solid finish in the second race to finish 18th (21-14). New Zealand’s Cody Cooper made the long trek across the pond to contest the championship opener and see where he matches up against the best riders in the United States. He displayed flashes of speed throughout the day, ultimately fending off several factory-supported riders to finish 19th (19-16), just ahead of BTO Sports rider Justin Brayton in 20th (18-17).

Next weekend the second round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is set to take place on May 28 at the legendary Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California.

 

450MX Class Results

1. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (2-2)
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (4-4)
4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna (6-3)
5. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda (7-5)
6. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (5-10)
7. Justin Barcia, Madison, Fla., Yamaha (10-6)
8. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM (9-7)
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (8-8)
10.  Phil Nicoletti, Cohocton, N.Y., Yamaha (11-9)

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13. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM (15-12)

            16. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha (39-13)

            18. Benny Bloss, Oak Grove, MO., KTM (21-14)

            19. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Honda (19-16)

            20. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, KTM (18-17)

 

450MX Class Championship Standings

1. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki – 50
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 44
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 36
4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna – 35
5. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda – 30
6. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda – 27
7. Justin Barcia, Madison, Fla., Yamaha – 26
8. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM – 26
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki – 26
10. Phil Nicoletti, Cohocton, N.Y., Yamaha – 22

 

 

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ABOUT PIRELLI

Founded in 1872, Pirelli is among the largest global tire makers, and focuses its business on the high end, premium product segment where it is a world leader. Present in over 160 countries, Pirelli has 22 manufacturing sites and employs approximately 38,000 people around the world. Successfully competing in motorsports since 1907, Pirelli is currently the exclusive supplier of the Formula 1 championship, the Superbike world championship, and many other championships around the world.

Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) services NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) member countries through its Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) facility and research and development center at its Rome, Georgia headquarters, its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Silao, Mexico and its New York City, Montreal and Mexico City sales and marketing offices. The company manufactures, distributes and markets original equipment and replacement tires for export and domestic car/motorcycle applications (US, CA, MX) and Agro/Heavy Truck platforms (MX).