Rally Dakar ,Peterhansel resists in Dakar

Jan 10, 2012 (dpa - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- IQUIQUE, Chile -- Frenchman Cyril Despres won the ninth stage and reclaimed the top spot of the motorbike section of the Dakar Rally, in a fierce two-man battle with defending champion Marc Coma of Spain.

Among the cars, US driver Robby Gordon claimed the stage between Antofagasta and Iquique in northern Chile, with a 606-kilometre timed special that was divided into two.

Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel -- the man who has won the most editions of the Dakar Rally in history, with six wins on a motorbike and three in a car -- was second.

Peterhansel's Mini trailed Gordon's Hummer by 01:38, so the Frenchman retains the lead in the overall standings with a 05:58 lead over Gordon.

"We've been beaten fair and square. When the Hummers don't have any problems, they are a bit quicker than us. We're going to fight to hold on to the slender lead we have over him," Peterhansel said, in comments posted on the race website.

Gordon, in turn, promised to put up a fight all the way to Lima.

"We've got to make time. We're in a different position to him. He has to conserve his time and I've got to make it," he said.

It was not all good news for Hummer in Iquique, however. Qatar's Nasser al-Attiyah, who won last year's Dakar Rally in a Volkswagen, withdrew from the current edition of the race Tuesday, due to technical problems in his Hummer.

During the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally, Al-Attiyah had to stop three times to fix his alternator drive belt. In the 174th kilometre he decided to give up. He had managed to win two stages, but mechanical trouble in his Hummer had continually hampered his progress.

Among the motorbikes, Despres struck back at his arch-rival Coma.

On Monday, Coma had managed to drive an important wedge of close to 10 minutes in the overall standings between himself and Despres, but organizers eventually adjusted the times of the eighth stage to the benefit of several bikers who had got stuck in the mud including the Frenchman.

Coma had covered the same ground without trouble, and he was not pleased with the decision.

"It goes against the spirit of the race," Coma said.

Round 1 - AMA/FIM Supercross Series 2012 - Anaheim

Another great southern California day. Early morning fog and cold has given way to clear sunny skies by 11:30am. Track walk for teams and riders has begun.
the premiere Supercross class, the top qualifying lap times: James Stewart on top with a time of 1 minute even, Ryan Villopoto next 1.01.628, Ryan Dungey 1.02.120, Justin Brayton 1.02.34, Jake Weimer 1.02.53, Kevin Windham 1.02.96, Chad Reed 1.02.96, Andrew Short 1.03.34, and rounding out the top ten of 53 qualifiers - Austin Stroupe - 1.03.42.

In the 250 West qualifying, top lap times - Ryan Sipes on top with 1.02.21, Cole Seely 1.02.60, Zach Osborne - MX GP contender - 1.02.61, Eli Tomac 1.02.78, Dean Wilson 1.02.79, two time World MX2 Champion Marvin Musquin 1.02.96 and down from there for the 72 qualifiers.

7:36pm - the first race of the 2012 AMA Supercross season takes off - 250 West Heat 1 - it's number 28 on the Pro Circuit Kawasaki - Tyla Rattray out front! But number 58 Wil Hahn makes his move and into the lead. As they start lap three - it's Hahn out front, Rattray - a former World MX 2 champion - second. Two time World MX2 Champion Marvin Musquin is third on his Red Bull KTM - in his first ever AMA Supercross race. He's followed by Cole Seely and Travis Baker of the Troy Lee team.

After six laps - this race concludes - 58, 28, 38, 34, and 51. Wil Hahn with the win. Tyla Rattray second. Marvin Musquin third. Cole Seely fourth, and Travis Baker fifth.

The track is in great condition, the weather is perfect, and it's a sold out crowd here in Anaheim.

250 West Heat 2 - it's 7:49pm as the gate drops, and it's number 31 on Suzuki Martin Davalos with the lead. And he has a big lead over second place number 15 Dean Wilson. Third is Ryan Marmont on KTM. Fourth Nico Izzi on Yamaha, and GP runner Zach Osborne fifth on Yamaha. This race will go six laps as well.

On the last lap, Dean Wilson is closing on Davalos! He's right behind him. Davalos takes the checkered flag, with Wilson just one bike length behind in second. Third goes to Nico Izzi, fourth Zach Osborne, and fifth Matt Moss. Eli Tomac, after falling at the start, came up to seventh, and then had a mechanical issue.

Supercross Heat 1 - 8:04pm. Mike Alessi with the holeshot on his Suzuki. He's chased by Chad Reed. Third is Davi Millsaps. Supercross Series Champion Ryan Villopoto starts outside the top 10.

On lap three, Chad Reed moves past Alessi and into the lead. It's Reed first, Alessi second, Millsaps third. Then Ryan Morais, Broc Tickle, Josh Hansen, Ryan Villopoto, and Chris Blose. This race will go eight laps.

Villopoto is on the move, while Reed sails out front. Villopoto passes Millsaps and moves into third on the last lap. The top three tighten up at the end, but Chad Reed wins it. Mike Alessi is second. Ryan Villopoto third. Followed by Millsaps, Morais, Tickle, Hansen.

Supercross Heat 2 - 8:20pm. The holeshot goes to ... it's really close between Ryan Dungey and Brett Metcalfe! But Andrew Short emerges with the lead as they settle in! On the second lap, Andrew, on the number 29 Honda leads, he's chased by Ryan Dungey, and Ivan Tedesco. Fourth is .... James Stewart!

Stewart moves to third. He's now chasing Dungey. And on lap three - he moves past Dungey into second. Lap three has Short out front, Stewart is closing, Dungey third. These three have bunched up together.

Shorty, riding for Supercross.com Honda, is holding off Stewart. On lap five, after a close battle, Stewart edges into the lead. It's Stewart first, Short right behind, and Dungey right behind Short. Good race. Fourth is Tedesco, and fifth is Jake Weimer.

Last lap - Stewart out front. Short holding off Dungey. With just four corners left in the race, Dungey moves past Short. James Stewart wins! Ryan Dungey second, Andrew Short third. Fourth Jake Weimer, and fith Ivan Tedesco. Brett Metcalfe finishes sixth.

In the four lap 250 LCQ - number 17 Eli Tomac on the GEICO Honda dominated the race.

The six lap Supercross LCQ - dominated by number 10 Justin Brayton on the Muscle Milk American Honda team.

9:18pm. The 250 Main Event line up are taking their warm up lap. Have you checked out the new Supercross.com Trend Report? We try to tell you who is going to place where - before the race goes off!

9:23pm. The gate drops. They'll go 15 laps. The leader at the start is number 59 ... but no matter. Tyla Rattray is in first as they come by the main grandstands triple jump on the first lap.

Two laps in - Tyla Rattray is in first. Dean Wilson second. But here comes Cole Seely! By the third lap, Rattray out front, but Seely is pushing hard. Dean Wilson comfortably in third. Fourth is number 58 Wil Hahn. Fifth is Vince Friese.

Changes as they start lap five. Cole Seely has taken over the lead! Tyla Rattray is next, followed by Dean Wilson, Wil Hahn, and Ryan Sipes. Next is Marvin Musquin, then Eli Tomac. Rattray is pushing Seely hard. And Hahn is pushing Wilson hard now.

More changes as they reach the halfway point of this race. Cole Seely is comfortably out front. Tyla is second. Dean Wilson third. Eli Tomac has moved into fourth, and Marvin Musquin is fifth. They are all running very close lap times - all around 1 minute 2 seconds per lap

20 lap Supercross Main Event - 9:55pm. The premiere Supercross class literally blasts off the starting line. The first corner leader - Ryan Villopoto! It's Villopoto, Tedesco, Reed, M Alessi, and Dungey.

The settle onto the second lap - Ryan Villopoto is leading. Chad Reed is about two seconds behind. Two second behind him in Ivan Tedesco. Villopoto looks fast. Dungey chasing Villopoto. Then it's Mike Alessi next.

As they start lap four, Villopoto is looking strong out front. Reed is second. Dungey into third. Tedesco next, and James Stewart has moved into fifth.

Lap five - Villopoto, Reed, Dungey. The top three from the 2011 series. James Stewart has moved into fourth. Tedesco is fifth. M Alessi sixth. Andrew Short seventh. Then Justin Brayton, Brett Metcalfe, and Kevin Windham.

The Supercross Champion is making it look easy. He's got it all going on right now - the bike is good. He's physically fit. And his mental strength is top notch. Ryan leads on lap eight.

Chad Reed is second. Good podium position for the championship - remember - it's 17 rounds - a marathon not a sprint. Ryan Dungey is third, also a good finish in consideration for the championship. James Stewart is fourth. He's a ways behind Dungey. Then comes Tedesco, M Alessi, A Short, and J Brayton.

Lap ten - Dungey has a bobble. Stewart overtakes his position. Top ten run down at the halfway point - Villopoto, Reed, Stewart, Dungey, Tedesco, M Alessi, Short, Brayton, Windham, and Jake Weimer.

Lap 12 - Dungey goes past Stewart and into third again! And now Dungey is catching Reed! And Stewart is right behind! All three former Supercross Champions!

Villopoto is out front by himself - he leads by over 20 seconds on lap 14! Amazing. But the battle for second has the crowd's attention. Reed, Dungey, Stewart - all close together! Fourth a good ways back is Ivan Tedesco - his best ride in a long time.

At the end of lap 15, Stewart battles past Dungey! It's Villopoto way out front, Reedy still in second, Stewart third, and Dungey fourth. Lap 16 - Stewart falls going into a left hander! Dungey moves up!

20 laps in - and Ryan Villopoto has done it! Winning in convincing fashion! Chad Reed finishes second! Ryan Dungey third! And Justin Brayton moves up to fourth, with Jake Weimer fifth! James Stewart finishes sixth, Andrew Short seventh, and Kevin Windham eighth.

Reigning Champion Villopoto Brings Early Momentum into the 2012 Phoenix Supercross

After an exciting start to the season in front of a sold-out Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, heads to Phoenix this weekend for the second race of 2012 from Chase Field

Media Day for this weekend’s action takes place on Thursday, January 12, from 12 noon until 2 p.m. MT, featuring Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX and MotoConcepts Suzuki.

Last weekend, Villopoto made a statement to his rivals with his impressive performance. After grabbing the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot in the 20-lap main event, Villopoto sprinted through the opening laps, setting an exceptionally quick pace and opening up a healthy advantage over the field. Behind him, TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Honda’s Chad Reed, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, and Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s James Stewart engaged in a captivating battle for the runner-up spot that kept the capacity crowd on its feet, in an uproar. Ultimately, a crash by Stewart allowed Reed and Dungey to duel for second, with Reed prevailing.

After playing integral roles in the most competitive season in Monster Energy Supercross history in 2011, each of these four riders proved that there is more hotly-contested racing in store for 2012.

"It was a phenomenal night for me," said Villopoto. "I didn't have the heat race I wanted, so I didn't have a great gate pick. Once I was out front, I wanted to lay down fast laps and make no mistakes. I did make one small one, but overall, it was a great race for me."

The dominant effort by Villopoto not only gives the Washington native the early points lead, but also puts the pressure on his three closest rivals since none were able to contend with the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider once the gate dropped.

Reed added, “Villopoto made us look silly out here tonight. I am just happy to get second place tonight in this (deep) field of riders."

While Villopoto’s early sprint made it difficult for his competitors to challenge for the win, the “big four” showed their exceptional talent as the only riders in the entire 20-man field to post a lap under 1:02.000 on an extremely technical and challenging track.

Even though Villopoto has delivered the first blow in the championship battle, there is no doubt that Reed, Dungey, and Stewart will be putting in extra hours both on the track and in the gym this week to come back stronger than ever inside Chase Field and respond with their own winning effort.

In the opening race of the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Championship, Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Cole Seely took advantage of a top-three start to grab his third professional victory and lead the point standings for the first time in his career.

Seely battled Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray throughout the opening stages of the 15-lap main event, but took over the lead on Lap 4 and never looked back. Rattray fended off the advances of his teammate Dean Wilson to hold on to the runner-up spot, while GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac fought his way from a 10th-place start to pass Wilson for the third and final spot on the podium.

The Western Regional Supercross Lites Class is exceptionally deep in young talent, and it showed last Saturday. Seely will look to keep the momentum going this weekend in Phoenix, while is counterparts will also look to assert themselves in the short eight-race championship.

Last year in Phoenix, Villopoto was in search of back-to-back victories to start the season, and was on the heels of Stewart for the lead throughout the main event. However, a fall by Villopoto allowed Stewart to pull away and take the win. In the Supercross Lites Class, Josh Hansen captured the win for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki.

SPEED will broadcast the Supercross class race LIVE at 9:30pm EST on January 14, 2012.

Dubya USA 'Get to Know the Team' Giveaway

The 2012 Supercross Season is underway, and Troy Lee Designs is joining forces with team sponsor Dubya USA to give racing fans a chance to win some great goodies with the 'Get to Know the Team' Giveaway!

In order to be eligible to win, you must first go to Dubya USA's Facebook page and "Like" them.

The Monday after each West Coast Supercross, TLD will post a video on Dubya USA's Wall of the Team TLD racers answering the prior Supercross' 2 'Questions of the Week.' To enter, comment on the video with a question you would like the TLD Team to answer.

Before the next Supercross, Dubya USA will choose 2 'Question of the Week' winners who will get their questions answered by the team, and 8 'Runner Up' question winners.

The 2 'Question of the Week' winners will be hooked up with prizes that will include TLD swag and Team Sticker Sets, and a Dubya USA t-shirt, sprocket and stickers!

The 8 'Runner Up' question winners don't go away empty handed. They will receive TLD Team Sticker Sets and Dubya USA stickers!

All 10 winners will be announced on the TLD and Dubya USA Facebook pages with the Monday videos.

Today is the first day of the giveaway, so keep you eye on the Dubya USA Facebook page for your first chance to ask the TLD Team a question!