AMA Toyota MX Championship–Glen Helen '06

You can check out nearly 50 photos from the weekend by clicking into the photo gallery.

Coming into the last race of the season at Glen Helen, the title chase in the Motocross class had already been wrapped up…three motos ago. That meant the only drama in Glen Helen was to see who would clinch the always hyper-competitive Lites division between Ryan Villopoto and Mike Alessi. Ryan came into the event with a 29-point lead, but as we saw in the battle last season between Alessi and Ivan Tedesco, almost anything can happen.

The course was similar to what we'd seen at the Prequel, with merged sections of the usual National track blended into the REM track, and a big uphill triple (or double), followed by another large step-up, and then a triple leading to a huge drop-off connecting the two. With the extra jumps and hills offered in the new section, there was plenty to see and shoot there, and that seemed to be the area favored by the spectators….it was standing-room only there.

Motocross Lites Moto One

At the drop of the gate, Mike Alessi immediately jumped out front and began building a huge lead. He was followed by Josh Grant, Andrew McFarlane, Ben Townley, and Brett Metcalfe. Villopoto had what he described as a small tip-over crash, and still came around on the first lap in eighth spot. From there he went to work and picked off a pair of riders each lap. Once he got by Josh Grant and moved into second, he began the task of reeling in Mike Alessi, who'd built a lead of 20-plus seconds.

Not content with second, Ryan caught and cleanly passed Mike, and went on to an easy win in true Championship style. Alessi held on for second, and said that he did his best, but that, "He (Ryan) was just faster than me today."

Ryan collected his number one plate from Steve Whitelock, a Breitling watch from Monster Energy, finished up his TV interviews, and headed back to the Pro Circuit pits to get ready for moto two.

Motocross Moto One

At the drop of the gate in moto one for the big-bore class, it looked like it had the makings of a classic Carmichael and Stewart duel, as the two Team USA teammates jumped out front. James had a small gap for a lap or two, but RC began to chip away at hit and went by James on the fourth lap. RC led for a pair of laps before swapping out and going down hard in a dogleg section before they headed up Yamaha Hill. Unfortunately, the crash left RC with a painful shoulder that he immediately headed to the pits to have it tended to. The reports are that nothing's broken, but he'll seek further treatment from his doctor at home.

After that, James cruised out front by himself, with Windham, Millsaps, and Preston in tow, which remained unchanged from lap five through 13.

Motocross Lites Moto Two

Mike Alessi holeshot this moto as well, and led three laps before Ryan Villopoto took over. Ben Townley held onto third throughout the moto, and Tommy Hahn moved up to take fourth over Brett Metcalfe and Josh Grant.

In the end, Villopoto had a 35-point lead over Alessi in the title chase, and Josh Grant passed the idle Andrew Short (who tore an ACL the previous week in Steel City), for third overall in the standings.

Motocross Moto Two

With James Stewart jumping to an early lead, the standings in moto two for the big-bore class were nearly a 30-minute processional, except for Kevin Windham dropping from third to eight on lap four. He was also assessed a one-position penalty in moto two for outside assistance.

Final Season Standings

Motocross Lites

Motocross