MAMMOTH MINI RACE DAY 1
Author: John Parkinson	Features | Tuesday, 23 June 2009 21:37

Be sure to check out Tuesday's Race Video, as well...

There's no place like Mammoth. Even Loretta's doesn't come close to matching the pristine beauty that is Mammoth Mountain, and that's saying something.  There is so much history here; from Rick Johnson and Jeff Ward, to Ricky Carmichael and Travis Pastrana, all the greats have stopped off at Mammoth on their road to the top.  It is the perfect place for a motocross track, and we are just thankful that the motocross vibe is still around. If there is motocross in heaven, we imagine it looks something like this.     

The first moto of the day saw a sea of red hit the track as the 150s set out to prove their worth. Cole Thompson picked up right where he left off in Vegas and took the early lead away from Cooper Webb.  The two battled for a few laps, but Thompson proved a little too much for young Webb to handle.  Thompson went on to take the second moto as well, giving him the overall on the day.  Webb held onto the second spot and it was a battle between Brady Kiesel and Andrew Silverstein for third. 

In the 65 9-11 class it was all Luke Purther as he managed to get out front early and never look back. Though still extremely young, Purther looks to be the real deal. He took home a number of titles from Vegas in April, and seems to be on track to do much of the same here in California.  In the younger division of the 65’s it was all Bryson Gardner.  Gardner, like Purther, was on the gas and took both motos for Tuesday’s overall.

The 85 14-16 class once again proved to be the Cole Thompson show, as he went 1-1 in dominant fashion and proved early in the week that he is the man to beat. Solid racing action was still to be had in this one, though, as Jace Owen and Brady Kiesel rubbed plastic for much of the moto.  It was an awesome battle until Kiesel took a soil sample late in the moto and let Owen slip away. The stage has been set in this one, though, and we suspect we'll see these two get together again later in the week.

The 85 12-13 class always seems to be “the class” and this year is no different.  With guys like Connor Pearson, Chris Alldredge, Jesse Masterpool, Jarek Balkovic, Matt Bisceglia, and Cooper Webb there is certainly no lack of talent on the line.  The first division hit the gate and it was Alldredge who jumped out to the early lead. He pulled a nice size gap over Jesse Masterpool and looked to have the race win wrapped up early.  That's when a few overwatered slick section took Alldredge by surprise, “They watered the corner and I started to slide out,” Chris exclaimed. “I tried to get on the gas but ended up falling.”  Masterpool was able to take advantage of Alldredge’s mishap and take the victory.  In the second division, Bisceglia was the guy on the move stating, “I got the 29th gate pick so that wasn’t too good, but I still got off good.”  By the time he hit the downhill he was sitting in 4th, but it wasn’t long before he was out front.  Bisceglia was on the gas and looked to be the guy to beat in the class.  When the gate dropped for the main it was bound to be a battle, but when the dust settled it was Bisceglia taking the win. “This track is one of my favorites and I look forward to coming here every year," said an elated Bisceglia atop the podiuim.  Masterpool had a good run as well, finishing up in the runner up position, with Justin Hill having an impressive ride finishing in the third spot. 

The supermini class is stacked, but Chris Alldredge didn't seem to mind at all. He dominated the first division and proved once again that he's picked up some newfound speed as of late.  Jesse Masterpool owned the second division and was looking for an overall in the supermini class.  In the main, Bisceglia showed that size doesn’t matter, as the 6 ft. tall mini rider put the heat on Masterpool for second and eventually earned the position.  It was then on to Alldredge for Bisceglia, and despite being under powered, Matt was able to hold onto the lead and take the overall. “Up the hills and stuff I am completely getting killed due to my size," said Matt.  "It feels good though coming out here and showing all these little guys that I can still come out here and win”.

The first division of the 85 6-11 class was a battle for the lead between Ryan Surratt and Justin Hoeft.  Surratt was on the gas and held the lead for the entire moto, but on the last lap Hoeft made the pass for the lead and took the win.  In the second division it was all Steven Gretchen; this is not only Gretchen’s first time here in Mammoth, it is his first time in the Golden State all together.  When they lined the gate for the main it was West Virginia's Gretchen who shot out and grabed the holeshot.  Hoeft was sitting in about 6th off the start, but the kid grabbed a handful down the hill and moved himself into the number two spot.  Hoeft was on the gas and was able to make his move into the lead and ride to the victory.

Racing will continue on Wednesday, so be sure and check back in for another full report.