WHARTON SIXTH AT WASHOUGAL MX

2012-07-23 18:29
Rockstar Energy Suzuki's Blake Wharton continued to rack-up respectable results at round eight of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Washougal at the weekend.

The RM-Z250 rider overcame poor starts in both 250 motos to finish seventh and sixth respectively for a final result of sixth overall for the day.

Said Wharton: "I had a pretty good run. I had some good battles and I felt like my endurance was good. Overall, it was a good day, the team worked well together; and everything just fell into place. We're going to Southwick in a few weeks and I hope I can continue this upward spiral. I finished the last four races strong, but there's still a lot of racing left and some good points to be made up."

Team-mate Jason Anderson also finished in the top 10 in the 250 class. Although he suffered a few minor get-offs, his overall performance was strong with him ended the day 10th overall.

"The day was a little bit of a struggle," admitted Anderson. "But I felt like I rode well and I ended up 10th overall, so it was a good day. I crashed twice in the second moto, but I kept pushing and pushing and ended up ninth in that race. Now I'm looking forward to taking a few weeks off and then coming back strong for Southwick."

Rockstar Energy Suzuki's Martin Davalos returned to the 250 class after missing the last five rounds from injury. In the first moto, Davalos got tangled up with some other riders and had to start from dead last. But he rallied and came back to finish 18th. In the second moto, he was still getting back into his racing groove and finished 12th. Overall, Davalos concluded the day in 17th.

"I didn't have any expectations for this race," said Davalos. "In the first moto, I got taken out and it took me a little while to get going again, but I came back to 18th from last. In the second moto, I felt really good: I got a decent start and I was running good. I'm happy with my first race back, but I can work on some things during the next few weeks and come back better for Southwick."

In the WMX class, Rockstar Energy Suzuki's Jessica Patterson bounced back from a broken hand and recent surgery to put in two impressive rides. Patterson finished second in the first moto and led the second moto before finishing eighth. Overall, Patterson wound-up fourth for the day.

Said Patterson: "The first moto went really well. I surprised myself as I was in second and I pretty-much stayed there. I got a little tired towards the end but I held on. In the second moto, I passed for the lead and I was doing good, but then the injury just caught up with me: I was exhausted and I could barely pull the clutch in. Now I'm looking forward to Southwick which is one of my favourite tracks and I have two weeks to heal up, so I'll be ready for that one."

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

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