Baggett Wins Southwick, Tickle Earns Another Podium‏

Blake Baggett earned his fourth overall win of the season on Saturday at the Moto-X 338 National in Southwick, Mass.
(Photo: Steve Cox)

Everything came into place this past weekend for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett and Broc Tickle at the ninth of 12 rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, which was held at the Moto-X 338 National in Southwick, Mass. Baggett earned a dramatic overall win, his fourth of the season, and stretched his points lead out to 24 points in the 250 class, while Tickle earned his second career outdoor podium finish in the 450 class.

Baggett sprays champagne on the fans after winning at Southwick.
(Photo: Steve Cox)


(Photo: Steve Cox)

Stretching it Out
Baggett was itching for an overall win after finishing third at the previous round at Washougal. He has been the 250 class points leader for the past eight weeks, but hadn’t been able to nail down an overall win since the sixth round of the series at the Red Bud National in Buchanan, Mich. With the series dwindling down, and a championship on the line, Baggett knew he had to stretch his 11-point lead out a bit more in order to fend off a stacked group of competitors. After finishing third in moto one, he dug deep in moto two and put on his signature charge to make a late-race pass for the win. Baggett’s Southwick win marks his fourth overall win of the season, and he is now leading the 250 class by 24 points.

(Photo: Steve Cox)


(Photo: Steve Cox)


Baggett talks with Mitch Payton at the Moto-X 338 National.
(Photo: Steve Cox)


It was also announced this weekend that Blake Baggett will again compete for Team USA at the FIM Motocross of Nations Sept. 30-31 in Lommel, Belgium.
(Photo: Steve Cox)


Broc Tickle earned third overall at Southwick, his second career outdoor podium finish in the 450 class.
(Photo: Steve Cox)

Another Podium Earned
Tickle was feeling the vibe after qualifying with the fastest time of the day in the 450 class. After finishing sixth in moto one, he came back in moto two and navigated through the pack to finish fourth. The 6-4 finish gave him third overall, which was his second career outdoor podium finish in the 450 class. He is currently fifth overall in 450 point standings.

(Photo: Steve Cox)


(Photo: Steve Cox)


(Photo: Steve Cox)


(Photo: Steve Cox)

 The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team now prepares for the 10^thround of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, which will be held this Saturday, August 18 at the Unadilla National in New Berlin, N.Y. Follow the team onFacebook andTwitter for the most up-to-date information on Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki.