Drama hit the mountain today as riders fought for bragging rights and the coveted Golden Bear award. Today was a day dedicated to 250s and there were some amazing battles to take note of.

In practice today Blake Baggett and Tyler Sjoberg decided to get into a take out battle as the two slammed each other anytime they had the opportunity.  The Kawasaki duo exchanged blows until Blake went under Tyler and took them both out, which managed to cause some notable tension between the two as the day went on.  Baggett and Sjoberg were together for much of the first moto, but never came in contact from what we observed.  Baggett was able to make a few moves and found himself in the second spot behind Timmy Weigand.  Baggett and Weigand put on a great show for the fans as they enchanged the lead a number of times.  Weigand was able to put a pass on the youngster and kept him (Baggett) behind.  In the second moto Baggett was on the gas; he moved around Weigand for second and had Jason Anderson in front of him in the lead.  He put the pressure on Anderson for a while and was able to eventually take over the lead.  Blake put together two solid motos today to give him the overall.

Timmy Weigand, this “old goat” can flat out pin it here in Mammoth.  There is just something about this place that makes Timmy shine.  In the first moto he put it to Baggett and the rest of the field that is about half his age.  In the second moto Timmy got off to another great start and lead early until the youngster Jason Anderson (16) took over.  Weigand and Baggett then began to battle for the number two spot. Weigand put up a fight but just could not match Baggett’s speed.  Weigand dropped off the pace of Anderson and Baggett for a while but was able to reel Baggett back in as the moto got closer to the end.  Timmy took chunks of time off Baggett’s lead but it just was not enough in the end.  Give this guy some props, as he is out running with “the next superstars” of the sport and is putting it to most of them.

In the first moto Tommy Weeck was looking solid sitting in the 4th spot until he attempted a very aggressive pass on Jason Anderson that left them both on the ground.  Tommy was able to get back up again quickly but Anderson was not so fortunate, as he fell all the way back to around 20th.  Weeck was able to get back into the third spot before the checkers came out.  In the second moto he put his head down and made some passes early and found himself all by himself in the number three spot once again; giving him third overall.

Travis Baker was noticably banged up today after going down hard yesterday.  It was surprising seeing him on the track after we saw him in his pit barely able to pick up his helmet.  But he manned up and went out in the first moto and put his Yamaha in fourth, not what he was looking for but for how bad his shoulder was it was a great ride.  The second moto looked like much of the same as he finished right behind Weeck for another fourth.

Tyler Sjoberg had a rough day as he hit the ground in both motos.  Even so, he showed a lot of heart by getting up and finishing inside the top 10 in both motos for fifth overall.

Jason Anderson was not supposed to be racing here this weekend, but made a call to Rodney Reynolds from Fly Racing to see if he could get him a spot on the starting line.  Rodney did everything he could and finally got Anderson a spot on the gate for today’s race.  In the fist moto Jason was running strong, but was taken out by Weeck and forced to the back of the pack.  In the second moto he got off to a great start and was able to get around Weigand for the lead and began to pull away.  With Jason only getting up on the mountain yesterday he was not able to get adjusted to the altitude and began to struggle with his breathing about five laps into the race.  He fell back to fifth, but all in all, he put in a solid ride for his first “big” pro race.

Eli Tomac flies here at Mammoth; he was in about seventh off the start but managed to put in an amazing charge.  Tomac began picking guys off and finally worked his way into the fourth spot behind Jessy Nelson and Bryce Vallee.  He made quick work of both Nelson and Vallee and it looked as if he was going to have to settle for second as Nick Paluzzi was about 12 seconds ahead.  Eli didn’t let this stop him though as he just kept on clicking off fast laps (anywhere from 2 ½ to 3 seconds a lap faster then Paluzzi).  This kid had things dialed and ended up getting around Paluzzi and checking out to an impressive win.

Nick “GQ” Paluzzi was on the gas and led most of the race.  He has been fighting a shoulder injury which might have hindered him late in the moto when Eli reeled him in.  Paluzzi rode a good race and finished up in the runner up spot.

Bryce Vallee put up a fight and rode a smart race.  He put together some solid laps, but just did not have what it took to run with Tomac and Paluzzi, leaving him in third overall.

Jessy Nelson pulled out the holeshot and led a couple of laps in the 250 Intermediate class.  It looked like he had some problems early on and dropped back to fifth, but re-grouped and put his Red Bull Honda in the fourth spot before all was said and done.

Michael Leib looks to have what it takes to run up front in the intermediate class, yet he is just a little off.  He should be right in the mix tomorrow and come time for Loretta’s.