Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing's Chad Reed battled the elevation as well as his competitors at Colorado's Thunder Valley MX Park and came away with his overall championship points lead intact.
The two-time AMA Supercross champion finished in fourth place overall, thanks to third and seventh-placed moto finishes. Rockstar Makita Suzuki team mate Michael Byrne was right there with Reed, finishing in fifth place overall. The Australian rode two impressive motos, bringing home sixth and fourth finishes.
Finally, an injured Mike Alessi attempted to race the first moto but crashed early and was unable to finish. Alessi recently had successful surgery on his broken kneecap and hopes to resume racing full-time as soon as possible.
In the 250 class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey finished with identical results to his 450 class team mate Byrne. In the first moto, Dungey overcame a bad start to go from 21st to sixth place on his Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z250. In the second moto, the Minnesotan fared better on the start and brought home a fourth-place finish. Dungey is currently second overall in the championship points standings.
Chad Reed:
"I got a good start, actually a great start, in the first moto, then I went out and rode like crap out there. It's pretty disappointing. I've been struggling all day long. In the second moto, I was still struggling. I'm dealing with some personal issues that I just have no control over and it's tough. But I've got to say thanks to all the guys at the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team."
Michael Byrne:
"It was a pretty good weekend for us. I had a good practice again this week, which was good for me. I was a little bummed in the first moto because I was in third at one point and then some guys got by me. But I'm still making progress, so I can't be too disappointed. I have to look at where I'm coming from. In the second moto, I rode strong. I just need to work on a little more speed so I can run with the guys at the front."
Mike Alessi:
"I wanted to get back in the championship because there's still a lot of races to go and motos to be raced and the championship isn't out of reach. So I just wanted to try and get some points this weekend. In the first moto, I got a great start - I think I was second or third right off the gate, but a few guys got past and they were running a fast pace. I was trying to stay with them but I went down and my first thought was my knee. I thought about trying to make the second moto, because that's just my mentality - even after I crashed I tried to do a few laps -- but it just hurt too much."
Ryan Dungey:
"It was a tough race and the altitude definitely played a part, but everybody had to deal with it - no excuses. Where I really threw it away was on the starts. I just couldn't get off the line like I wanted to and that set me back. But overall, I came out of this race healthy and I finished both motos, even though I've struggled here in the past. Now I'm just looking toward Red Bud."
AMA Motocross 450 Class Top 10:
1. Ivan Tedesco (Honda)
2. Andrew Short (Honda)
3. Thomas Hahn (Kawasaki)
4. Chad Reed (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
5. Michael Byrne (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
6. Josh Grant (Yamaha)
7. Ricky Dietrich (Kawasaki)
8. James Albertson (Yamaha)
9. Kyle Summers (Yamaha)
10. Jake Moss (Honda)
Championship points: http://www.suzuki-racing.com/championship_points.aspx?SRS_ID=2
AMA Motocross 250 Class Top 10:
1. Jake Weimer (Kawasaki)
2. Christophe Pourcel (Kawasaki)
3. Tommy Searle (KTM)
4. Justin Barcia (Honda)
5. Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
6. Broc Tickle (Yamaha)
7. Brett Metcalfe (Honda)
8. Blake Wharton (Honda)
9. Tyla Rattray (Kawasaki)
10. Darryn Durham (Yamaha)