Monday, May 21

Langston Keeps it Perfect

By B.J. Smith
MotoWorld

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. - Grant Langston proved once again why he came here - to win every race he enters. And at Hangtown he continued his streak, winning both motos today in convincing fashion. Even though Pastrana finished second with a 9-2, Langston's biggest challenger was Bobby Bonds. But Bonds crashed out while contending for the win in the second moto.

Grant Langston is making his KTM bosses proud and is well on his way to giving the company its first AMA title.

125cc Moto One:

Team Moto XXX's Larry Ward pulled the holeshot followed by Steve Lamson, Ivan Tedesco, Ernesto Fonseca, and David Pingree. Coming across the finish line jump, Lamson was able to pass Ward for the lead but a critical mistake coming out of turn two left Lamson and many behind him on the ground. Heavy hitters Travis Pastrana, Mike Brown, Brock Sellards, Nick Wey, Nathan Ramsey and several others finished lap one outside the top 20.

Up front it was Ward pulling out a slim lead over Fonseca, Branden Jesseman, and Bobby Bonds. Moving up through the pack was first round winner Grant Langston in fifth. Fonseca kept Ward in his sights and on lap four he made his move in the back of the track. Ward dropped back to fourth giving way to Langston and Bonds.

Langston, the 2000 125cc world champion wasted no time passing Fonseca and neither did Bonds. For the last half of the moto Bonds surprised his critics by creeping up on Langston and trading a little plastic with the world champ. Bonds took Langston right to the finish but was unable to make a move. Langston took his third moto win in as many tries. Bonds finished second with Fonseca a distant third. Rodrig Thain and Kelly Smith rounded out the top five.

Defending national champion Travis Pastrana came from outside the top 30 to finish ninth. Mike Brown pulled off the track halfway through the moto with a sore shoulder.

125cc Moto Two:

Michael Brandes nailed the holeshot with Keith Johnson, Fonseca, Brown and Bonds. Pastrana was involved in a first turn crash and was left with nothing but a lot of ground to make up. By the end of the first lap Brandes had a five second lead over second place Fonseca. Moving through the pack was first moto 1-2 finishers Langston and Bonds.

Fonseca was closing in on Brandes when a mechanical failure sent him back to the pits. Brandes led until the halfway point when Bonds took over the lead. Brandes faded to a disappointing 13th. Bonds had a huge lead over Langston until he dumped it in the chicane. Bonds was able to get back up before Langston slipped by but the gapped was tightened. Langston pursued Bonds until three laps to go when Bonds tired, and the two came together between the ponds. Bonds got the short end of the stick and hit the ground hard, giving him a DNF for the moto.

Langston cruised to an easy win followed by a hard charging Pastrana and Brock Sellards. Scott Sheak came in fourth and Danny Smith rounded out the top five.

125cc Overall Results:

1. Grant Langston - 1-1
2. Travis Pastrana - 9-2
3. Rodrig Thain - 4-9
4. Kelly Smith - 5-8
5. Brock Sellards - 14-3
6. Scott Sheak - 16-4
7. David Pingree - 8-12
8. Bobby Bonds - 2-28
9. Nathan Ramsey - 15-6
10. Danny Smith - 17-5

* Check out the entire KTM team in the top ten

Point Standings:

1. Langston - 100
2. Pastrana - 72
3. Huffman - 54
4. Thain - 46
5. Sellards - 45