CUT AT JACKSONVILLE
Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Chad Reed continues to lead the AMA/ FIM Supercross Championship after racing to second place at Saturday night's 14th round at Jacksonville in Florida.
With just three rounds remaining, the Australian holds a narrow five-point advantage over Yamaha's James Stewart in what is hotting up to be one of the most exciting series in recent years.
In the 20-lap Main Event, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi took the holeshot followed closely by Reed, who moved past Alessi in turn two and secured the lead.
Stewart then grabbed second from Alessi and stalked Reed for 13 laps before he made a pass on the defending champion. Reed replied and retook the lead on the same lap. But just one lap later, Stewart re-passed Reed and rode to his 10th victory of the season.
In the Supercross Lites class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Nico Izzi finished second in his heat race and then got the holeshot in the 15-lap Main. Unfortunately, the young rider crashed and another rider landed on his bike. Izzi finished up the Supercross Lites East Coast Series in third place overall.
Chad Reed:
"It was great to get such a good start on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and to get out front and lead a few laps. James Stewart rode a good race and I can't take anything away from him. I needed that little kick in the butt. We have a week off and I think the racing is going to be awesome when we get back to it."
Mike Alessi:
"My heat race was great and I ended up leading for five laps. But my team mate Chad got by me and that kind of wore me out. The pace was pretty fast and I ended up tightening up. In the Main Event, I got the holeshot and ended up running third with Chad and James. Unfortunately, I was pushing a little too hard trying to stay with them and I washed out the front and dropped back to seventh or eighth. I charged back to sixth so it was good and I was happy about that. I made up some good points on the guys who are in front of me so I look forward to two weeks from now in Seattle."
Nico Izzi:
"Overall, I'm actually pretty happy with how the Supercross season went. I was pretty consistent the whole year, though I did have a few tough rides - one that probably cost me the title. It would have been great to finish the season with a win or a podium, but overall I'm happy because I had quite a few podiums."
AMA Supercross Results:
1. James Stewart (Yamaha) 2. Chad Reed (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)3. Kevin Windham (Honda) 4. Josh Hill (Yamaha) 5. Andrew Short (Honda) 6. Mike Alessi (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)7. Thomas Hahn (Kawasaki)8. Kyle Chisholm (Yamaha) 9. Heath Voss (Honda) 10. Billy Laninovich (Kawasaki)
