SAN BERNARDINO (CA, USA), 29 May 2010 – American Mike Alessi made it a great day for the American fans watching the opening day of the USA Grand Prix as he went on to dominate the MX1 qualifying heat. Marvin Musquin dominated the MX2 class to take his second pole of 2010.
With strong wind blowing in the morning and the free practice sessions being cancelled, Ben Townley exploited his knowledge of the track to take second ahead of Max Nagl and Championship leader Tony Cairoli.
In the MX2 class Jeremy Van Horebeek took second behind Musquin with youngster Max Anstie working his way up to third. Ken Roczen took fourth ahead of Gautier Paulin and Zach Osborne of USA.
The Veterans’ race one saw Doug Dubach dominate the whole moto after he took pole position. 
MX1
Alessi of Jägermeister Factory KTM led the entire qualifying heat with a dominant performance. The American, who was supposed to race the first three GP’s of 2010 but pulled out due to an injury, finally made his eagerly awaited appearance and paid the fans back with his first Grand Prix pole position of 2010 and the second for the KTM 350 SX-F.
Making his comeback to the GP scene was second placed in today’s qualifying Townley of Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda. The former MX2 World Champion, who races only in the USA now, moved past Philippaerts at the second lap then cruised in second for the rest of the race. The Italian instead crashed and pulled out of the race.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX1 took third and fourth courtesy of Nagl and Cairoli respectively. The German made a mistake at the opening lap while Championship leader Cairoli rode a steady moto not to spend too many energies in the American heat.
LS Motors Honda’s Guarneri was a solid fifth ahead of Ramon and other American Hughes.
After injuring his shoulder in Spain, Albertson entered the GP but crashed and pulled out of the qualifying heat. Nevertheless the American will be at the starting gate tomorrow.
Langston also had a tough moto as he qualified in 17th just in front of De Dycker.
MX1 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Mike Alessi (USA, KTM), 25:24.830; ; 2. Ben Townley (NZL, Honda), +0:08.431; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:10.173; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:20.216; 5. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Honda), +0:28.445; 6. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:29.758; 7. Ryan Hughes (USA, Honda), +0:31.036; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:34.224; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:43.217; 10. Anthony Boissiere (FRA, TM), +0:49.521;
Complete results available at www.motocrossmx1.com/reslists.aspx
Photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/gallery
MX2
Series leader Musquin of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 stormed to his second pole position of the season after he took a dominant win in today’s qualifying heat, completing a successful day for KTM – taking pole also in the MX1 class with Alessi. Musquin dominated the whole race as team mate Herlings tried to follow but crashed later on to finish a bitter 15th.
Courtesy of a great start and of Herlings’ crash, Kawasaki CLS’ Van Horebeek took a valuable second, which is so far the best qualifying moto result for the Belgian in his first year with Kawasaki. His team mate Frossard was following in third but crashed and dropped down to ninth.
It was a surprising third place finish for GP debutant Anstie of Great Britain. The DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha rider had a good start and worked his way up from the bottom of the top five to a final third.
Roczen of Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 instead recovered from a bad start to take fourth ahead of Yamaha Monster Energy’s Paulin.
Home rider Osborne took sixth and hopes in a podium finish for this first home GP of his career.
MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 25:28.165; ; 2. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:07.826; 3. Max Anstie (GBR, Yamaha), +0:11.446; 4. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), +0:16.895; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:19.246; 6. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +0:22.223; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:26.272; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Suzuki), +0:41.715; 9. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:45.423; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +0:49.165;
Complete results available at www.motocrossmx1.com/reslists.aspx
Photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/gallery
VETERANS
The first moto of this American round of the FIM Veterans’ World Cup was an affair in between home rider Dubach and New Zealander King, who took an eventual second after holding the lead for a single lap. The rest of the race was dominated by Dubach. Series leader Nilsson took an eventual third ahead of Nicoll and Davis. Matiasevich was ninth.
GP OF USA – QUICK FACTS
Circuit length: 1770 mt
Type of ground: hard pack
Temperature: 30° C
Weather conditions: dry and windy
Sunday: Veterans Warm up 8:30; MX2 Warm up 9:00; MX1 Warm up 9:30; Veterans Race 2 11:15; MX2 Grand Prix Race 1 12:10; MX1 Grand Prix Race 1 13:10; MX2 Grand Prix Race 2 15:03; MX1 Grand Prix Race 2 16:03.
As the whole FIM Motocross World Championship, this Grand Prix and the FIM Women’s World Championship Race 2 will be broadcast live and delayed. Click here to see schedule and coverage online.
LINKS
Youthstream
FIM
Grand Prix of USA
Photo: Alessi in action
