Highs and lows for Swanepoel
South Africa's Gareth Swanepoel (Star Yamaha) headed to Thunder Valley in Colorado this past
weekend for Round 5 of the AMA US National Motocross Championship.
As the gate dropped for the first moto, Swanepoel grabbed a great jump and screamed his Yamaha
YZ250F up into the opening turns within the leading group. As the riders settled into position he
sat in sixth place and was looking good on the rough and rutted, hillside circuit. As the laps
ticked by the 387 machine of Swanepoel was progressing well as he moved up into fifth position, but
was later relegated back to sixth again by Tomac. Racing hard to the end Swanepoel crossed the line
to finish moto 1 in a respectable sixth position.
Moto 2 would see another good jump out the gate for the South African, but heading through turn
2, Swanepoel went down hard, getting run over by other riders. With the entire pack gone into the
distance a dejected Swanepoel got going, setting chase. He was soon into a good rhythm, and by
posting the same lap times as the top five riders he caught the field and soon started moving
through. Lap after lap Swanepoel did what he could and by the end of the race he crossed the line in
21st position. With his solid result in race one this gave him 14th place overall.
"Moto 1 was a good start, and I felt like I rode well," said Gareth Swanepoel.
"The bikes all struggle around here at altitude, but for myself I felt strong and enjoyed the
race and the circuit. Moto 2 was just unlucky, I went down hard and by the time I got up I must have
been last by 30 seconds! I thought well I am just going to race hard and gain more testing on the
bike, but actually my lap times were fast and I managed to get well into the pack by the finish.
Next weekend we head to Red Bud. I have never ridden there, but look forward to it nonetheless. I
feel good and the bike is great so once again I am going to give it my all."
After a little physio this week Swanepoel will head to the next round, which is at Red Bud this
coming Saturday.
Results from Thunder Valley
Overall
1. Blake Baggett
2. Dean Wilson
3. Eli Tomac
4. Darryn Durham
5. Tyla Rattray
6. Ryan Sipes
7. Malcolm Stewart
8. Travis Baker
9. Justin Barcia
10. Alex Martin
14. Gareth Swanepoel
Points Standings
1. Dean Wilson
2. Tyla Rattray
3. Blake Baggett
4. Eli Tomac
5. Justin Barcia
6. Kyle Cunningham
7. Broc Tickle
8. Gareth Swanepoel
9. Darryn Durham
10. Cole Seely