The stage is set for an intense and unpredictable 450cc class title chase at Unadilla, in New York, this weekend; amateur stars to debut in the 250cc ranks.
After taking a one-week hiatus, the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship resumes this weekend, with the first of three remaining rounds left to decide championships in the 450cc and 250cc classes. Round 10 of the series is set to take place at the legendary Unadilla Motosports Complex in New Berlin, New York, Saturday, August 9.
Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen of Germany is still the leader in the 450cc class, but the momentum may have shifted to Roczen’s teammate, Ryan Dungey, after Dungey’s 1-1 sweep at the previous round in Washougal, Washington, two weeks ago. Dungey’s win allowed the two-time former 450cc champion to pull back 10 points on Roczen, who had arguably one of his worst races of the season with a pair of third-place moto finishes. Just 14 points separate the KTM duo with six motos remaining.
In light of his performances at the past two rounds, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac is relishing the role of the spoiler. Since Tomac landed his first career 450cc National win at the Spring Creek National in Millville, Minnesota, two rounds ago, he has been able to match the on-track pace of Roczen and Dungey, and Tomac is already inside the top 10 in points despite missing the first four rounds of the season.
In the 250cc, Martin is showing the maturity of a series veteran despite being a rookie in the class. At Washougal he rode patiently en route to third overall, yielding just two points in the standings to his closest rivals, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha teammate Cooper Webb and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett. Martin still holds a 43-point advantage over Webb and 54 points over Baggett.
Joining the 250cc action this weekend will be some of the graduates of the Rocky Mountain AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s, which took place last week in Tennessee. AMA Horizon Award Winner RJ Hampshire, who won all six of the motos he entered en route to a pair of AMA National Championships, will be working out of the GEICO Honda truck, while Chris Allredge will be in the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki truck. Two-time AMA National Champion Luke Renzland will be based out of the CycleTrader.com/Rock River Yamaha truck.
Unadilla is arguably the most globally recognizable track in all of motocross. Its European-style layout combined with American flair has made for some of the sport’s most iconic moments, and it remains one of the country’s most prominent symbols of American motocross. While the track doesn’t feature any major changes this season, its sprawling nature nestled in the rolling hills of Central New York means high speed, big air and rough conditions. It’s a challenge unlike anywhere else in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
Action for the Red Bull Unadilla National on Saturday, August 9, begins at 8:30 a.m. ET with timed practice. Opening ceremonies get underway at 12:25 p.m. ET, with the first gate drop scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET. nd will also serve as the final round in 2014 to be featured on national network television on NBC. Live broadcast coverage from Unadilla begins Saturday at 1 p.m. ET with the first motos of the 450cc and 250cc classes on MAVTV, followed by a broadcast of the final 450cc class moto on NBC at 3 p.m. ET. The NBC Sports Network will feature live coverage of the final 250cc class moto at 4 p.m. ET.
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