Lake Elsinore Final Round
US MX
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Following 11 rounds of grueling competition on the most challenging and demanding tracks in the country, the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will come to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday with the 2nd Annual Red Bull Lake Elsinore National in Lake Elsinore, Calif. Simon Cudby images
Although the 250 and 450 Class titles have already been decided, there is still plenty on the line as riders look to capture the final overall victory of the season at Round 12. For Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, a win at Saturday’s finale would allow the 2012 450 Class Champion to move into second place in all-time race wins in the 450 Class, where he currently sits tied with Bob Hannah at 27 career wins, three of which he earned in 2013. A fourth victory this season would also allow Dungey to maintain an undefeated record at the Lake Elsinore National.
Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park will host the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season finale this Saturday in Southern California Courtesy: Simon Cudby |
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto has put forth a dominant season, winning 16 of the first 22 motos to clinch the 450 Class Championship one round early. Villopoto has enjoyed seven overall wins through the first 11 rounds this season, putting him in a three-way-tie with Mike LaRocco and Gary Jones at 11 all-time career wins. Furthermore, an overall victory at Saturday’s Lake Elsinore National would put Villopoto among the top 10 all-time race winners in the 450 Class.
Ryan Villopoto (2) already has the 450 Class title in hand, so this Saturday is for pride Courtesy: Matt Rice / AlliSports.com |
Team Honda Muscle Milk riders Justin Barcia and Trey Canard, sitting third and fourth place, respectively, in the championship standings, will each look to become first-time winners at Saturday’s finale. Barcia has finished as high as second place overall in his first full season in the 450 Class, while Canard put forth a season-best finish of second place at Round 9.
Recently crowned 250 Class Champion, Eli Tomac, heads into the final round of racing with considerable momentum as he enjoys an eight-moto winning streak over the last four rounds. GEICO Honda’s Tomac has been especially dominant in the second half of the season where he quickly gained valuable points over previous points leader Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen. Roczen holds seven moto wins so far this season and the German World Champion will look to add two more to his record before the season’s end.
Ryan Dungey (1) and a whole slew of others will challenge RV for the final win of the season Courtesy: Simon Cudby |
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett sits fourth in the championship standings heading into the final round; where he currently holds one overall win this season. In 2012, Baggett capped off his 250 Class championship-winning season by claiming the inaugural Lake Elsinore National victory and the California native looks to make it two-in-a-row this Saturday. Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin sits just 15 points ahead of Baggett in the championship standings with two overall victories to date.
Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin (25) and Ken Roczen (94) will vie for the final 250 Class victory Courtesy: Simon Cudby |
Located in the hotbed of the motocross industry, and about an hour outside of the major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Diego, Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park serves as an ideal location for fans of the sport across the entire southern portion of the state. It’s also well known to students of the sport’s history as the site of the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix, which was featured prominently in the epic motorcycle racing documentary film On Any Sunday back in 1971 – one year before the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship was born.
The Marc Peters-designed venue is state-of-the-art in terms of motocross and features multiple elevation changes, spectacular obstacles, and easy access for the fans. The facility was designed with not only riders but spectators in mind as well, with paved roads and walkways, lush landscaping, camping amenities and designated areas at multiple elevations for viewing.