Pirelli’s Jessica Patterson Earns First Win of 2008 WMA Championship

Rome, Ga. – Pirelli Tire-backed Jessica Patterson, who is the series’ reigning champion, swapped moto wins with fellow Pirelli team rider Ashley Fiolek to score her first win of the summer at Round 4 of 6 in the AMA Women’s Motocross Association National Championship at Washougal MX Park.


Patterson, riding for American Honda, finished second in the opening moto to series points leader Fiolek, but answered back in the second moto with a win, stopping Fiolek’s three-race win streak.


“It’s been a great series for the Pirelli-backed riders competing in the AMA Women’s Motocross Association National Championship, and this past weekend was no different,” said Josh Whitmire, Pirelli’s MX manager. “There are two more races left in the championships, and we hope to have the podium rounded out by Pirelli riders.”


Also finishing well for the Pirelli squad were Mariana Balbi with consistent 5-5 finishes and Sherri Cruise, who went 3-12 on the afternoon. Balbi finished just one spot off the podium in fourth overall and Cruise was seventh overall. Just one point separate Cruise and Balbi in the points race, who sit fifth and sixth respectively.


The WMA race for the championship continues for Round 5 of 6 August 23-24 in Southwick, Mass.


Round 4 of 6

AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship (Moto Finish)

1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 2-1

2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 1-2

3. Tarah Gieger, Vero Beach, Fla., Yamaha, 5-3

4. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki, 4-5

5. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Suzuki, 8-4

6. Alisa Nix, Ukiah, Calif., Yamaha, 7-6

7. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki, 3-12

8. Tatum Sik, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 6-10

9. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 9-8

10. Aubriana Dunn, Temecula, Calif., Honda, 12-9


AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship Points

1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 187

2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 153

3. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Suzuki, 139

4. Tarah Gieger, Vero Beach, Calif., Yamaha, 124

5. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki, 120

6. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki, 119

7. Tatum Sik, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 109

8. Alisa Nix, Ukiah, Calif., Yamaha, 105

9. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 87

10. Ayla Cabus, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 78


Pirelli Tire North America specializes in manufacturing and marketing high-performance tires for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, ATV’s and motorsports. An industry leader in technology and quality, Pirelli operates its highly advanced Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) in Rome, Georgia, to better serve the American OEM and Replacement markets. For more information please visit: www.us.pirelli.com.