Two tough motos for Swanepoel in Red Bud

This past weekend Gareth Swanepoel
and the Star Racing Yamaha team headed to Round 6 of the AMA Nationals held
at Red Bud.

In the opening moto Swanepoel
grabbed a decent start and headed into the opening lap in 7^th
position. Whilst making a pass on Malcolm Stewart the bikes collided and
‘Swanie’ went down. Quickly re-mounting Swanepoel was on the
gas, but yet another fall put the South African to the back of the pack.
Riding without goggles a determined Swanepoel fought back to
17^th position by the end of the grueling moto.

With another decent start in moto 2
‘Swanie’ was once again up in a strong position. In the opening
mayhem Sipes went down and Swanepoel got caught up on his bike, putting him
back down the pack and outside the top 30. Getting going and settling into
a fast pace Swanepoel pulled through the pack and up to 11^th
position at the finish, awarding the South African 13^th overall
for the day.

Gareth Swanepoel: “It was a
difficult day today, I was fast all weekend but bad luck in both races
meant I was coming back from almost last each time. In the first moto I was
lapped after my 2^nd crash, but when the leaders came past I was
able to hold my distance to them, so that showed I had the speed. My goal
is a podium and I am gonna keep pushing really hard for that, hopefully it
comes soon!”

The next round of the AMA Motocross
Championship takes place on the 16^th July at Spring Creek in
Millville.

Results

250 Class (Red Bud)

1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace,
   Calif., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland,
   Kawasaki (2-2)
3. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South
   Africa, Kawasaki (5-3)
4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas,
   Yamaha (4-4)
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich.,
   Kawasaki (7-5)
6. Wil Hahn, Wichita, Kan., Honda
   (8-6)
7. Ryan Sipes, Louisville, Ky.,
   Yamaha (3-14)
8. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador,
   Suzuki (11-7)
9. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif.,
   Honda (9-10)
10. Scott Champion, La Jolla, Calif.,
    Honda (13-13)

13^th Gareth
Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (17 –
11)

250 Class Championship
Standings

1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland,
   Kawasaki - 258
2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace,
   Calif., Kawasaki - 244
3. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South
   Africa, Kawasaki - 242
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda -
   176
5. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas,
   Yamaha - 163
6. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich.,
   Kawasaki - 143
7. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga.,
   Honda - 137
8. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg,
   South Africa, Yamaha - 120
9. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif.,
   Honda - 112