Patterson Wins Hangtown WMX

Team Suzuki Press Office - May 21.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki's Jessica Patterson started the 2012 season with overall victory at the weekend's opening round of the Women's MX Championship at the Lucas Oils AMA Motocross Championship at Hangtown in America. Patterson - one of the most successful female motocross riders competing in the series - captured the overall victory with two second-placed moto finishes.

She said: "Today was pretty good. In the first moto I got a good start but I made a few mistakes and got passed, so I just rode the race out and finished second. In the second moto, I was leading for a while and made a good pass at the beginning, but then I made a mistake and crashed, but I came back and got second. At least I got the Overall and I'm happy with that. We'll just look forward to next week and hopefully come back with a one-one."

Topping out the 250 class for Rockstar Energy Racing was Martin Davalos. Although he struggled in the first moto and finished 14th, Davalos came back with a vengeance in moto two to card fourth. In the end, Davalos finished sixth overall for the day.

"Hangtown started out a little rough," said Davalos. "We didn't qualify well, I got a horrible start in the first moto and then I couldn't find any momentum. But in the second moto, I got a good start and rode solid and I finished fourth. It was a good way to start the season and now I'm looking forward to Freestone."

Rockstar Energy Racing team mate Jason Anderson turned in a very consistent ride finishing eighth in the first moto and ninth in the second for eighth overall. In the second 250 moto, Anderson ran in the top five for much of the race before a small mistake pushed him back a few spots.

"My first moto was kind of mediocre," said Anderson. "I got eighth. In my second moto, I was rippin' up front and a guy got by my and then I stalled my bike. It was a good weekend overall, though, and I'm looking forward to racing in Texas." Like his team-mates, Black Wharton struggled in the first moto before finding his rhythm in the second. Wharton finished 16th in the first moto, sixth in the second and took 12th overall for the day.

"I had some technical difficulties in the first moto," said Wharton. "The second moto was a lot better. I didn't get to race motocross last year so it's been a long time for me, but this track was really gnarly. I learned some things that I'm going to build on and I'm going to Texas next weekend and that should be nothing but good for me."

Rounding out the squad for Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki was Hunter Hewitt, who put in a concerted effort in both motos: Hewitt finished 17th in the first, 16th in the second and wound up 18th overall at the end of the day.

Said Hewitt: "I got a good start in the first moto but I could have been more aggressive. I kept a solid pace and ended up 17th. In the second moto, I was a little fatigued but I got a better start. I was more aggressive but maintained my pace and ended up 16th. I haven't raced motocross in over a year so I'm happy with this. We'll go to Texas and set realistic goals and try to match them every weekend."

Images from Hangtown MX: CLICK HERE FOR EVENT PHOTOS