Mototips

Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Alessi Gives Strong Performance At Anaheim III Supercross
Round 5 - AMA Supercross Series
Anaheim, CA
Angel Stadium
Feb. 2, 2008
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing team's return to Angel Stadium for the third race inAnaheim, California, on Saturday night saw Mike Alessi pick up another impressive sixth-place finish.So far this year, Alessi has had sixth- and fourth-place finishes at this venue. Teammate DavidVuillemin finished 14th, and was still recovering from popping his knee out at last weekend's race. Infact, the Frenchman flew home to France last week to have his personal physician work on the legand he was still feeling the effects of the injury on Saturday night.
In the Supercross Lites class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey continues to lead thechampionship points race after an 11th-place finish at the third Anaheim event. In the 15-lap main,Dungey got caught in a turn-one tangle of riders and had to charge hard on his Suzuki RM-Z250 fromlast place. In spite of this, the 18-year-old rider worked his way up into 11th position and salvaged asmany points as possible.
Mike Alessi:
"I didn't feel that comfortable with the track in practice and I was struggling with a few sections andthat kind of got my head messed up. I was just thinking about it too much and not focusing ontrying to race the track. In the heat race, I got a great start on the Suzuki RM-Z450 and was out front,but that same section messed me up and a couple guys got past me. But then I kept working at itand finally got that section and I ended up third place. In the main, I was just a bit off at the start - Ididn't get a bad start, but I didn't get a great start either. I was in the middle of the pack and passeda few guys to get into sixth. I'm still fourth in points and that's pretty good. I just need to work moreon my intensity at the beginning of the race and staying with those guys. These are the fastest guysin the world and it's a learning process for me. I've got to take the good with the bad and I'm justtrying to get better gradually."
David Vuillemin:
"Earlier this week, I went to see my doctor in France to get my knee in the right spot so I could racehere at Anaheim. Obviously, I knew I wouldn't be 100 percent, since I'm still struggling with injuries. Inthe main, I made a big mistake in the first part of the race and got passed by four or five guys rightaway. It's frustrating, but that's the way it is. I was real aware of the knee and I didn't want to hurt itagain - it's tough when you have to deal with injuries."
Ryan Dungey:
"I have to admit I'm pretty disappointed about this weekend. We had a good heat race -- the bikewas running great and we got the win. But in the main, things just didn't go our way. But that'sracing and I'll be back on my regular training program next week, getting ready for San Diego. It'simportant to have a positive outlook and I'm not going to sit around and think about this weekend'srace. I'm looking forward and just focusing on being positive for San Diego."
Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing will race next at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Saturday,Feb. 9, 2008.
Mike Alessi, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing RM-Z450, #800
6th Place - Anaheim Supercross
4th Place - Overall Championship Points Standings
David Vuillemin, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing RM-Z450, #12
14th Place - Anaheim Supercross
16th Place - Overall Championship Points Standings
Ryan Dungey, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing RM-Z250, #28
11th Place - Anaheim Supercross Lites
1st Place -- Overall Championship Points Standings
AMA Supercross Top 10 Finishers:
1. Chad Reed, Yamaha (Holeshot)
2. Davi Millsaps, Honda
3. Tim Ferry, Kawasaki
4. Kevin Windham, Honda
5. Andrew Short, Honda
6. Mike Alessi, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing
7. Nathan Ramsey, Yamaha
8. Nick Wey, KTM
9. Troy Adams, Honda
10. Manuel Gomez, Kawasaki
AMA Supercross Lites Top 10 Finishers:
1. Jason Lawrence, Yamaha
2. Austin Stroupe, Kawasaki (Holeshot)
3. Brett Metcalfe, Kawasaki
4. Billy Laninovich, Honda
5. Kyle Cunningham, Honda
6. Thomas Hahn, Kawasaki
7. Justin Brayton, KTM
8. Dan Reardon, Honda
9. Robert Kiniry, Honda
10. Gavin Gracyk, Honda
11. * Ryan Dungey, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing


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