Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Start Motocross Season With Podium Sweep

CORONA, Calif. (May 23, 2011) - Monster Energy/Pro
Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett started the AMA Motocross Championship
on a high note, riding to his first-career motocross win at the season
opener at Hangtown MX in Rancho Cordova, Calif.  His 2-1 was good
enough to beat out his teammate Dean Wilson, who scored the first moto
win and ended the day with a 1-3 score for second overall. After
finishing fifth in the first moto, Tyla Rattray ran up front most of
the second moto and rounded out the overall podium with a 5-2. Broc
Tickle overcame a tough first moto to finish the day ninth overall with
a 13-7.

Although Baggett has won races in his short professional career, his
first overall victory on the rough terrain of motocross was something
he won’t forget. Baggett came from behind in both motos and rode with
intensity the entire 60 minutes plus two laps, helping him grab the
deserving victory.

 

“Winning at supercross was awesome, but this almost feels better
because I had to work so hard to get it,” said Baggett. “Supercross is
gnarly in a different way, but motocross and especially the track at
Hangtown takes a lot to get around every lap. I felt good in both motos
and I’m just happy to start the season on a good note.”

Earning the first moto win of the season, Wilson looked strong for the
overall. He was running up with the front in the second moto, but a
fall pushed him back. He finished the moto in third and second on the
day.

 

“I felt really good during both motos,” said Wilson. “I made a stupid
mistake in the second moto and pushed me pretty far back from the front
two guys. I knew that I wanted to make it through the first round with
a good amount of points and I did that. Now I just need to stay
consistent. I learned that in supercross and I think I’m even more
comfortable outdoors, so it should be good.”

After finishing second in the points last season, Rattray showed he was
ready to make his move for the top of the standings. He came from
behind in the first moto to finish fifth and was eager to bounce back
in the second moto. Rattray nearly grabbed the holeshot, leading for
over half the moto before finishing second to take third overall.

 

“I’ve been looking forward to outdoors for a while now and I’m glad to
get through the first race with a podium,” said Rattray. “I wanted to
win, but I’ll take it one race at a time and hopefully the wins will
start coming. I know I have the speed, I just need to put together two
good motos.” 

While his results weren’t what he wanted, Tickle left Hangtown knowing
he put in two good rides. In the first moto, he was pushing his way to
the front-runners when he went down. He worked his way back up to 13th and was able to improve on his position in the second moto with a seventh-place finish for ninth overall.

 

“I feel like my results didn’t show how I felt out there,” said Tickle.
“The day didn’t go how I wanted, which makes me even more eager to go
racing again next week. I know I can get be up there with the guys. I
like Texas a lot so I’m really looking forward to coming back strong.”

  

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team will head to Wortham,
Texas as the series makes its second stop on the circuit at Freestone
Raceway. Baggett currently leads the points with 47, while Wilson is
close behind with 45 and Rattray with 38. Tickle’s comeback finish
landed him 22 points going into the second round.