Press Release

Strong Start for CC Rider Gear/Team Solitaire/MB1 Racing Honda - presented by Rockwell Watches

Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, CA

May 24th, 2009

 

The start of the 2009 Lucas Oils AMA Motocross Series went off with a bang this last Saturday afternoon at the illustrious Glen Helen Raceway Park.  There were a lot of new elements in the mix at Glen Helen, including the new Saturday “one-day only” format.  Another new attraction at the event was our first running as the CC Rider Gear/Team Solitaire/MB1 Racing Honda.  With the formation, we have acquired multi-time Brazilian National Champion Antonio Balbi as our marquee rider.  We are looking forward to the opportunity to work with not only Antonio, but also the great people that make up the CC Rider Gear family.  Now on to the racing…

 

Things could not have started out any worse in our first outing.  Antonio was unable to get in any laps in the first timed qualification due to a small mechanical issue.  In the second (and final) timed qualifier, Antonio put his head down and logged a fast lap, but then promptly proceeded to miscalculate a rough downhill section and auger himself into the ground.  The bike came around and took a massive swing right at his head.  Fortunately, his FLY Formula MX helmet kept him well protected.  However, he did end up with 18 stitches and it was questionable as to whether he would be able to continue.  Fortunately, his one fast lap time was enough to earn a position on the gate for the motos.

 

About an hour before moto one, Balbi decided to go for it.  Off the gate he was inside the top twenty and moved forward quickly.  The track was brutally rough, but Balbi seemed to be handling the conditions well.  He ran as high as 11th before relinquishing positions to Chad Reed, Dan Reardon and a few others.  As the long moto wore on, he lost a few more positions – no doubt suffering from his earlier crash.  He made one final effort in the final lap to hold on to 17th position, a respectable finish after a hard fought battle.

 

Antonio was feeling better and was even more excited for the second moto.  Another top twenty start left him in pretty good position to move forward – and forward he moved.  Steadily, he picked off rider upon rider, locking into 15th by the halfway mark.  The track was rough and riders were tiring, but Balbi persevered, and in doing so picked off two more competitors in the closing stages to log 13th for the moto.  His 17/13 moto tally awarded him 16th overall on the day.  Congratulation to Antonio for overcoming a horrendous crash and finishing the day off with some great moto finishes.

 

Another new addition to our team for the 2009 Outdoor Series is WMA competitor April Zastrow.  April hails from the great state of Idaho, and in addition to being a great motorcycle rider, she is enrolled as a full-time student at Boise State University.  In the first WMA (Women’s Motorcycle Association) event of the year, April finished a very respectable 16/15 for 15th overall.  With the school year coming to a close for summer break, April will be able to focus all of her efforts on getting herself up into the top ten in the remaining seven WMA events.

 

So all in all, the CC Rider Gear/Team Solitaire/MB1 Racing Honda squad hit the ground running in Glen Helen.  We are looking forward to the return of Phillip Nicoletti later in the season, as he was sidelined with a knee injury and is currently in the rehabilitation stages.  We are expecting an even more successful outing next weekend at the Hangtown event in Sacramento, where Balbi will again contest the 450cc division and April Zastrow will be looking for her top ten finish.

 

Team CC Rider Gear/Team Solitaire/MB1 Honda is supported by and endorses the following products and companies:


CC Rider Gear, MB1 Suspension, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., St. Lawrence Radiology, Rockwell Watches, Cart Company, FLY Racing, Nuclear Blast, Dunlop, Dragon Optical, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, Factory Effex, Yoshimura, Vortex, Thunder Alley Sports, WPS, Sidi, Champion Tool Storage, QTM/Brembo, RK Chain, EXCEL Rims, HoyFox.com, Boyesen, K&N Filters, Cycra Plastic, Sano Systems, Pivot Works, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Crank Works, CP Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Ron Davis Racing Radiators, Leatt Brace, Dirt Pro, VP Racing Fuel, CDG Technology, Mechanix Wear, Hammerhead Designs, Team Hawg Racing, Hinson and DC Auto Wraps.

 

 

For more information on the team, please visit the following websites:
www.myspace.com/teamsolitaire and www.ccridergear.com           

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