Gold Cup: Round 1
Author: Kaelyn Sheedy	Regional Reports | Monday, 15 September 2008 04:34

The Gold Cup is a six race series that takes place in Florida throughout the months of September and October. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the Gold Cup series is that its first and final rounds are held at Gatorback Cycle Park, home of the Mini Olympics in November. Given this, riders from all over the east coast travel to Florida for the first round of the series to get time on the track that will prove so important only a few months from now.

 

After a long break following Loretta's, riders were eager to hit the dirt on Saturday morning. As motorhomes plastered the open fields and the hot sun swept across the track, there wasn't much more one could ask for. As cold weather slowly begins to creep its way into most states, it's safe to say that Florida has no fear of a cold climate anytime soon.

 

It was a perfect weekend for racing, but before we hit you with the weekend's race reports, there are a few things to go over. Track changes and the AMA's decision to change a few class names seemed to almost take precedent over the actual racing.  

 

First the track changes. Gatorback has changed quite a bit over the years and it has yet again spiced up the layout. Two rollers were added after the finish line, and the rhythm section that leads into the table-top in front of the bleachers was turned into a triple, double, double section. Also, there is now a single that lies on the downside of the last table-top on the hill, thus giving riders the option to triple. Lastly, all sweeper turns at Gatorback should now be called highways, no exaggeration. They are wide, fast and very rutted - translating to, pick your lines wisely or you WILL get passed. We saw riders exploit these new sections all weekend long.

 

Now on to the new class names recently implemented by the AMA. They have decided to change two class names. First, what was formally known as the 125 class is now called the 250 class. As for the 250 class, well, its now called the Open class. This goes for all AMA Amateur events, so if you race frequently this will be something you will need to get used to over the next few months.

 

In the 250 Open class this weekend we saw Sean Lipanovich #50, a loyal member of the Millsaps' Training Facility in Cairo, GA, out front for all three motos. Having torn his MCL shortly after Loretta's, he looked to be surprisingly healthy and comfortable. While there wasn't much of a battle for the lead, second and third place were fought over between the two Honda rides of Gannon Audette and Kyle Peters. Taking turns finishing second and third, Audette stayed most consistent and grabbed the second spot overall, with Peters finishing 3-2-4 for third. Honorable mention in the class goes to Josh Talmadge #360. This local rider has been recovering from an injury that kept him off the bike for some time. He finished third in moto three, through, proving he has the speed to run with some of the fastest amateur riders in the country.

 

As for the 250 B and Open B motos, Malcolm Stewart #271 took home the 250 B overall with thee moto wins, while Lipanovich took the overall in the Open B class. Stewart and Lipanovich were within striking distance of each other every moto, so close in fact that in moto two of the Open B class, at Stewart's expense, they come together. It was clearly unintentional, though. Both riders claimed the same line heading out of a sweeper and neither was willing to give it up. Caleb Bertrand #975 would take over Stewart's second place position and that's where he would finish. Stewart remounted and was able to push his way back to fifth, but took the second place overall, with Bertrand trailing in third.  

 

In the 50 (7-9) and 50 Open motos it was the #133 of Jordan Bailey who would dominate. He put together six moto wins, making him the man to beat if he decided to show up at Reddick next weekend. Cody Holderman #32 from Jacksonville, FL held his ground in second in all three 50 Open motos, and is another super talented up and comer to keep your eye on.  

 

In the 250 A and 250 Pro class Justin Barcia #51 kicked off the first round of the Gold Cup with a perfect weekend. While many anticipate his pro debut at Glen Helen in '09, Justin still has a few more amateur events to check off his list before making the move. He has incredible talent and it shows each and every time he carves his way around the track. As for the rest of the pack, it was all about the start. Tyler Livesay #31, Lucas Crespi #391, Les Smith #108 and Ricky Renner #159 battled it out for the top five spots each moto.

 

In the Open A and Open Pro classes, Les Smith #108 was the one who came out on top. A great starter off the gate, Smith's frequent holeshots set him up early for an overall win. It was a toss up for the rest of the class as to who would finish where. Derek Hall #638, Ricky Renner #159, and Billy Nelson #932 didn't make it an easy fight for second. Needless to say, the two classes had spectators on their toes.

 

Early May #82 out of Tallahassee, FL took the overalls in the Plus 25 and Plus 40 classes. Earl still knows how to carve his way around a track, and he's one tough dude to beat in his home state. In the Plus 35 class it was Vince Devane #8, another Floridian, who gave May a run for his money. Devane had a clean sweep in this class while running the very flashy red background number plates.  

 

The 65 guys brought their ‘A' game to the track this weekend, as well. Kade Walker #51 and Chase Bell #235, both Kawasaki riders, continued to provide the fire works in 10-11 class.

Walker was unable to keep up his first moto win streak, and found himself holding onto second for the final two motos. Bell took the overall.

 

In the 65 Open class it was Tyler Pantley #443 who, after finishing fourth in moto one, tightened things up, figured out who the heavy hitters were, and brought his KTM to the front in the final two motos. However, Kade Walker stayed in check and earned the first 65 Open overall of the series.

 

The 85 (9-11) seemed to be another heated class, as there were three different moto winners. Aaron Plessinger #57, all the way from Ohio, Dalton Myers #54 out of Riverview, FL and Mason Price #93, also a Floridian, all fought with hopes of earning the overall. A 10^th place third moto upset for Price took him out of the running and Chase Bell's 6-4-4 moto finishes would land him ahead in the number three spot overall. Myers 2-3-1 would allow the overall to slip away to the impressive ride of Plessinger, who would finish the weekend with 1-2-2 moto finishes.

 

Zach Bell #100 came prepared and more than ready to check out this last weekend. This Team Green rider was on a roll in Supermini (12-16) up until the last moto. Bell was out front early with the lead, but Honda's Gannon Auddette found his way into second just as quickly. Audette had his heart set on reeling in Bell before the checkered flag, and he made a clean pass just a lap before the finish and took the win. Bell, although having allowed Audette by in the final moto, still held on for the overall win. Bell also took the overall in the 85 (12-13) class, where he made the job look easy. The battle wasn't up front in this one, but the #32 of Cody Chisholm, the #12 of Colton Ford and the #24 of Ck Douglas put on a show for second.

 

With some of the east coast's fastest up and coming stars, the first round of the Gold Cup was a huge success. Each weekend I will send over a handful of extra photos and wallpapers designed by Scott Parkinson at PanicRev that you will be able to view by clicking here.

 

That's it for this report; see you at round two in Reddick next weekend.

 

Click Here for a full list of results.