Women’s Motocross Midseason Report

The first half of the 2012 Women’s Pro Motocross (WMX) Championship is in the books.

Things seemed a little unstable for the women’s pro series during the pre-season when series promoter MX Sports considered dropping one moto to a less than ideal and totally unprecedented single-moto format.

Fortunately, by the time the gate dropped on February 20 at the opening round in Sacramento, Calif. for the Hangtown Motocross Classic, the WMX Pro women enjoyed a fair race day schedule. There was more media coverage than in the past in the form of a live webcast as well as a short highlight package folded into the AMA Motocross race day recap show. Also, more women showed up with team support rides than originally expected.

Round 1 – Sacramento, California

When it came to on-track action, the 2012 WMX Championship picked up where it left off last season with defending champion Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Ashley Fiolek (#1) battling with her longtime rival Jessica Patterson (#2). Earlier in the year, Patterson switched alliances from Yamaha to a new Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki team.

Fiolek and Patterson have locked up the top step of the podium for the past several years. In the opening moto at Hangtown this year, Fiolek grabbed the hole shot and the two enjoyed a close race all the way to the checkered flag with Fiolek taking the win.

The third place position went to Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Tarah Gieger (#3), reminiscent of the previous two seasons. Although Gieger continues to show her colors as a serious contender, she just hasn’t been able to notch a win over Fiolek or Patterson.

The big change came during the day’s second moto. Australian Meghan Rutledge (#66) of Kawasaki/Monster Energy/RaceTech, a newcomer to the WMX Nationals, surprised everyone when she took advantage of a Patterson crash and won the moto. Fiolek had been in the lead early in the moto, but came together with a downed rider on the second lap on the big uphill double. Patterson came away with the overall win, Fiolek got second and Gieger got third for the day.

Round 2 – Wortham, Texas

Round 2 took place on May 26 the following weekend in Wortham, Texas at the Freestone MX National just outside of Dallas. Fiolek missed the first practice due to a bout of stomach flu, but made it to the line in time for the race. Patterson won the first moto while Ashley won the second, which gave Fiolek the overall win. This day Australian Rutledge would prove that she could run top speeds consistently finishing 3rd overall after battling with Gieger.

Round 3 – Lakewood, Colorado

On June 2 at Round 3 in Lakewood, Colorado at the Thunder Valley MX National, race fans enjoyed keeping tabs on a very fast Rutledge in practice. Unfortunately, those in attendance would also witness Rutledge going down in a hard practice crash on the downhill triple. She injured her hand and decided to sit out the race, so she could focus on healing up in time for the X Games in Los Angeles, June 30th.

The Patterson/Fiolek battle continued in Colorado, with the two breaking away from the rest of the pack. Patterson won the first moto with Fiolek tucked behind for a close second. Geiger again earned third.

In the second Lakewood moto, Fiolek was leading Patterson before she hit the ground hard. She continued to ride, but lost several positions finishing the moto in 6th. Patterson went 1 -1 for the overall. Tarah Gieger earned a well-deserved 2nd overall and Ashley’s 2-6 secured a third place overall.

Ashley’s new Team Honda Muscle Milk teammate Sayaka Kaneshiro (#9) picked up her first career moto podium with a third in Moto 2. After the race, Fiolek went to the hospital where they found she had suffered a serious concussion. Doctors also discovered an older, but thankfully stable fracture in her back.

Round 4 – Delmont, Pennsylvania

Round 4 was held on June 9 at Highpoint Raceway in Delmont, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, Fiolek was forced to sit out due to injuries. In Moto 1, Patterson experienced bad luck in the first turn when she came together with another rider. Once upright again, she charged from dead last to earn the number 2 spot for a respectable Moto 1 finish.

Everything would come together for Tarah Gieger this day. She had a great race and enjoyed a breakthrough performance earning her first moto win in the past few years. Kaneshiro of Japan led the moto for a few laps before being passed by Patterson who would take the overall. Gieger got 2nd on the day and Kaneshiro third. Two other new faces for a moto podium were also at Highpoint. Drill Tech’s Kasie Creson and Moto Concepts Mariana Balbi would both earn third place finishes on this day in Delmont.

Ashley Fiolek Scheduled to Come Back at Round 5 in Michigan

Jessica Patterson now has control of the championship. Ashley Fiolek is scheduled to return for Round 5, July 7th at Red Bud in Buchanan, Michigan. She will have her work cut out for her and will need a bit of luck for help with chipping away at the points deficit.

Women’s Motocross Championship Points Standing (as of July1)

• Jessica Patterson - USA - Rockstar Suzuki - 188
• Tarah Gieger - USA - Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda - 155
• Sayaka Kaneshiro - JPN - Muscle Milk Honda 137
• Mariana Balbi - BZL - Moto Concepts Honda - 126
• Ashley Fiolek - USA - Muscle Milk Honda Red Bull - 125
• Staying up on the Racing and Rounds 4 through 8

Be sure to check out Viceversamx.com for WMX podium video interviews, race highlights, photo race reports, full results, profiles of racers, and TV and Event schedule information.

Upcoming Events

• Round 5 - July 7 - Red Bud - Buchanan, Michigan
• Round 6 - July 21 - Washougal MX - Washougal, Washington
• Round 7 - August 11 - MX338 - Southwick, Massachusetts
• Round 8 - September 8 - Lake Elsinore MX - Lake Elsinore, California

2012 WMX National Numbers

1. Ashley Fiolek
2. Jessica Patterson
3. Tarah Gieger
4. Jacqueline Strong
5. Vicki Golden
6. Marissa Markelon
7. Kasie Creson
8. Alexah Pearson
9. Sayaka Kaneshiro
10. Lindsey Palmer
11. Mariana Balbi
12. Sarah Whitmore
13. Sara Price
14. Tatum Sik
15. Ashley Boham
16. Stephanie Laier
17. Sade Allender
18. Elizabeth Bash
19. Hailey Larson
20. Jackie Ives
21. Jenica Paulsen
22. Julie Parizek
23. Shelby Rolen
24. Amanda Brown
25. Kim Irmgatz
26. Ashleigh Hall
27. Alyssa Fitch
28. Nicole Madsen
29. Tresa Rau
30. Kacy Martinez
31. Allison Vrba
32. Sara Pettersson
33. Denaye Giroux
34. Mariah Andrew
35. Justine Cox
36. Christina Reed
37. Katelyn Crowley
38. Jessie Wharton
39. Shelbie Brittain
40. Brittany Marcotte
41. Lauren Volentier
42. Shannatay Bergeron
43. Krisa Sweeney
44. Elissa Grsincic
45. Taylor Levic
46. Michelle Miller
47. Brianna DeGray
48. Bryanna Marcotte
49. Alexandra Lopez-Soliman
50. Blake Keller
51. Amanda Maheu
52. Meghan McClain
53. Sydney Dickson
54. Chelsea Newbold
55. Courtney Moore
56. April Zastrow
57. Taylor Miller
58. Taryn Covington
59. Meghan Rutledge
60. Heather Lockwood
61. Krista Buck
62. Cady VanCura