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Interview From Racerxill.com
Mitch Payton has yet another hot prospect under his awning for the foreseeable future in Austin Stroupe. The kid from North Carolina blew our minds yesterday with a wild start in the first moto, then held on to finish a historic second in what was his first-ever pro moto or main event—a finish equal to James Stewart’s first SX back in January 2002. By the end of an eventful day, Stroupe, who was also fastest qualifier on Saturday, had made quite an impression on the field and the Steel City fans who saw his first race.
Racer X: It’s the end of the day at your first pro national—what are your thoughts?
Austin Stroupe: It went awesome, I thought. Everything with the team was great. We put a lot of hard work in the last three weeks, and I got a second in the first moto. In the second moto I crashed a couple times and came back to 12th. I had good lap times too, so we’re all very happy with a fourth overall.
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Austin Stroupe
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And I understand you had some bike problems the second moto?
Yeah, I didn’t have a front brake! So I was happy to have done that well without that.
What was your goal coming in to this race?
Top 10 was the goal coming in.
You actually got the holeshot in your first moto as a pro. That had to be cool.
Yeah, I got it from the outside. Ryan and Townley and I kind of all hit, but I came out good. I then came around and slid out but then got around Tommy Hahn and just stayed in second. I knew Ryan was coming and he was pushing hard, but it was a good race.
What were you thinking when you were out there in second place?
[Laughs] I wasn’t really thinking much. I wasn’t breathing or anything, I was just riding stiff and trying to get it through my head that I should just ride.
What was your mechanic giving you on the pit board?
Just to breathe. He could tell I was riding tight and he told me to loosen up a bit.
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Stroupe grabbed the holeshot in his first moto as a pro
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photo: Billy Ursic
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Who was your mechanic for this race?
Aaron Johnson. He’s been with Mitch for awhile, and he’s helping me through the last three.
Have you been practicing 30 minute motos and do you feel you were prepared for this race?
Yeah, Ryan and I have been doing moto Tuesday through Thursday together every week, so now it’s cool that we’re here racing on the weekends. He helps me out, so it’s really cool.
How’s your relationship with your other teammates?
Brett [Metcalfe] rides a lot with me and Ryan. Ben stays in Florida and he’s not out in California with us, so that’s a bummer. But he’s a very nice guy.
Was this track what you expected?
I thought it was good. We have some pretty rough tracks in California, but this track is awesome. The dirt was really good and tacky and the ruts were good, so overall it turned out awesome.
You grew up in North Carolina, so you’re probably used to this type of soil.
Yeah, I’m only five hours from here, so it’s very similar to what I grew up riding on.
Your amateur rivals—Trey Canard and Nico Izzi—they chose to start their professional careers a couple weeks earlier at Millville. Why did you choose Steel City?
I had some trouble prior to Loretta Lynn’s and I didn’t think I was 100 percent. I really put my head down and trained hard and came out after Loretta’s and tested with the team, and that’s when I felt ready to go. So, I think the extra two weeks I gained from not racing Millville really helped out a lot.
Was this the first time you rode your race bike?
Yeah, yesterday. It’s a killer bike. It’s all fresh. But I’ve been riding one of their test bikes, so it’s pretty close.
What are your thoughts on Mitch Payton thus far?
He’s awesome. He’ll do anything for us, and we went 1-2-3-4, so he’s a very happy guy today.
A fourth-place today; what are you gunning for in Texas?
I want to be up there again, but I definitely want to be more consistent with my starts. My second moto start was terrible.
Since your pro career officially started, looking back, who would you like to thank for such an amazing amateur career?
Dave Gowland from Team Green Kawasaki to get me here; Bobby at Xtreme Team Green, and my mom and dad.
For more information, please go to Racerxill.com
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Monster Energy-Backed Ivan Tedesco Places In Top Ten Again, 6th This Past Sunday @ Steel City
Tedesco continues to within sight of top ten overall in MX class points despite missing the first three rounds of the Nationals with an injury
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 27, 2007) – Monster Energy’s Ivan Tedesco
(Makita/Suzuki) was the model of consistency this past weekend at the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Steel City MX National, racing to 6th place overall with 5-6 moto finishes.
“I felt things went smoothly,” said Tedesco. “The track rutted up pretty well in some sections due to all the rain, but with RC out and the point chase being as tight as it is up top, the fans got to see some good racing. And it was nice to see all the Monster Energy- backed racers doing so well at the Monster Energy-sponsored Steel City National.”
In both motos Tedesco was able to move up an identical two spots from where he started after the first lap (8th to 6th first moto, 7th to 5th second moto). In addition, his lap times were consistent with his places (6th fastest lap time in the first moto, 5th fastest lap time in the second moto).
With 169 points overall and sitting in 12th place in the standings, Tedesco will likely move up into the top ten overall in the standings this weekend in Texas as Davi Millsaps (10th o/a) is out for the remainder of the season with an injury.
“You never like to move up in the points due to someone’s injury, but seeing as how I missed the first three rounds of the Nationals myself I’m not too worried about it,” added Tedesco.
Next up for Monster Energy’s Ivan Tedesco and the Makita/Suzuki team is Round 11 of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships at Freestone in Wortham, Texas, Sept. 2nd.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days.
Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Ivan Tedesco digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Just-Signed Monster Energy Athlete Grant Langston Wins Final Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown Of MX
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto takes the Lites class win and secures overall Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown Lites title, Alessi wins MX o/a
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 27, 2007) – Newly signed Monster Energy athlete Grant Langston (Yamaha) won the final AMA Motocross class installment of the 2007 Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross, with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaski’s Ryan Villopoto winning the final Lites class race of the Monster Energy/ Kawasaki Triple Crown this past weekend at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa., Round 11 of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.
“What a way for Grant to start his relationship with Monster – winning the overall event, taking home $3,000 by winning the final round of the Monster Energy/Kawasaski Triple Crown of Motocross and taking over the Nationals points lead,” said Monster Energy spokesman Scott Sepkovic. “And also a big congrats from Monster to Villopoto, who not only won the final Triple Crown round and took the overall points lead, but also won the $5,000 overall Monster Energy/ Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross Lites class award.”
The $100,000 Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross – which ran through out the course of the 2007 Outdoor Nationals at High Point (Pa.), RedBud (Mich.) and Steel City (Pa.) had been swept the previous three seasons by Monster Energy-backed Ricky Carmichael.
But with Carmichael, who won this year’s High Point and RedBud rounds now focusing on his auto racing career, the door was open for $5,000 in MX class bonus money – which KTM’s Mike Alessi won by one point over Langston and two points over Monster Energy/ Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry.
“The Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross certainly brought an additional element of excitement to the Steel City round this past weekend,” said John Lee, Sports Marketing Director for Monster Energy. “On behalf of Monster I’d like to congratulate both Grant and Ryan for their wins at Steel City, along with Ryan for his overall Lites class Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown win and Mike Alessi for his MX class overall Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown win.”
In addition, privateer Gavin Gracyk was again the top Monster Energy/ Kawasaki Triple Crown MX class privateer and, with his 6th place effort at Steel City, wound up sweeping all three Monster Energy/ Kawasaki Triple Crown rounds. For his efforts Gracyk earned and extra five grand for the top overall privateer, including the $2,000 from each round he won – bringing his earnings to a total of $11,000 on the summer! The top Lites class privateer at Steel City was Ohio’s Willie Browning.
And finally, Monster Energy and Kawasaki gave away yet another Pro Circuit-tuned Kawasaki KLX110 pit bike (valued at $3,000) to a lucky Steel City race fan.
“Monster Energy is very proud of its involvement with the Nationals this summer,” added Sepkovic. “From the Monster/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross, to the numerous teams and riders backed by Monster, to the six rounds (High Point, Budds Creek, RedBud, Unadilla, Steel City & Freestone) we sponsored and events like the Monster Energy MX Crossover Series (Hangtown & Glen Helen), Monster’s support of motocross is at and all-time high - as is the support for Monster Energy product from the fans of motocross.”
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. The guys racing for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross money at the Outdoor Nationals dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Historic 1-2-3-4 Performance By Monster Energy/Pro Cirucit/Kawasaki Team @ Steel City MX National!
Monster Energy/PC/Kawasaki’s Villopoto, Townley, Metcalfe & Stroupe go 1-2-3-4 @ Monster/Kawasaki Steel City MX National – Villopoto now 1st in points!
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 27, 2007) – For the second week in a row Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s made motocross racing history, this past weekend in Delmont, Pa., doing the unthinkable when its team of four racers – Ryan Villopoto, Ben Townley, Brett Metcalfe and Austin Stroupe – took the top four spots (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th), respectively, at the Monster/Kawasaki Steel City MX National – marking the first time ever a single team has swept the top four classes in an AMA-sanctioned pro motocross race.
“Everybody at Monster Energy is ecstatic for Mitch (Payton) and his Monster Energy-backed racers and crew on this historic day,” said John Lee, Director of Sports Marketing for Monster Energy. “Monster got involved with motocross through Pro Circuit and are pleased to be standing right there with the team each and every weekend. Something like this 1-2-3-4 sweep is just amazing to be a part of.”
Leading the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team at Steel City was Villopoto who, with a 3-1 overall finish, led the Monster Energy- backed charge at Steel City that also saw him wrestle the Lites class points lead from Townley, 447-441.
“I can’t explain how excellent the feeling was around the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki hauler on Sunday,” said Villopoto, who charged from back in the pack to make the podium in the first moto, then won gate-to-checkers in the second moto. “I was so pumped for all the guys on the team that the fact I took over the points lead didn’t really register until I was on my way home. I mean, for the same team to take the top four overall spots in a race – everybody was saying that’d never happened before. So to be part of that was unreal.”
The win was Villopoto’s fourth of the season.
Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is the Sept.
2nd Monster Energy Freestone Motocross National in Wortham, Texas, Round 11 of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days.
Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Villopoto, Townley & Metcalfe dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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MONSTER ENERGY’S MEGA DAY @ PORTLAND DEW TOUR!
Greatest day ever for the action sports-friendly energy drink on the Dew Tour as Monster Energy-backed athletes sweep gold medals in Skate Park, BMX Vert, BMX Park and FMX!
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 20, 2007) – It was darn near a clean sweep of all the gold medals for Monster Energy-backed athletes at the third round (Vans Invitational) of the 2007 Mt. Dew Action Sports Tour, aka “The Dew Tour,” as Monster Energy BMX, FMX and Skate athletes swept all but two of the available podium wins in four of the six events.
And, in the other two events – Skate Vert and BMX Dirt – a Monster Energy athlete podiumed in one of those events (Skate Vert) as well, and would have podiumed in the other had it not been for a sketch on a huge trick (double back flip).
“When we sat down and signed or re-signed these athletes to start the
2007 competition season, you always look at the best case scenario with them,” said John Lee, Director of Sports Marketing for Monster Energy. “Well, the Portland Dew Tour round was about as close as we could get to what, on paper, was the best possible outcome for our athletes at a major action sports event.”
On the heels of some unheard of publicity following the Summer X Games (Jake Brown & Scott Murray), Monster Energy athletes stepped up big at the third round of the wildly popular Dew Tour – the Vans Invitational - raking in a total of seven medals, four of which were gold.
Skate Park
It was only a matter of time before the Dew Tour Skate Park judges figured out that Greg Lutzka is the hottest skater on the tour. Core to the bone and down with street skaters globally on account of his clean style and innovative arsenal of tricks, Lutzka knocked off the golden child, previously undefeated Ryan Scheckler, to claim his first Dew Tour gold of the season.
“I’d been skating pretty well at the first two rounds and knew it was just a matter of time before I was able to pull off a win,” said Lutzka, who defended his ’06 Portland Dew Tour Skate Park title.
“Definitely want to carry this momentum over to the next Dew Tour round, hopefully be there to challenge for the overall at the finals.
And thanks again to Monster for having my back this summer. Means a lot.”
As it stands Lutzka trails Scheckler 275-218 for the overall title with two rounds remaining.
BMX Park
Monster Energy-backed tour sophomore Mike Spinner managed to put together the run that eluded him in the Louisville (Ky.) Dew Tour opener, breaking out (again) the 1080 – three clean 360-degree spins in one jump – and this time stomping the landing. Even with several other great riders to go in the BMX Park finals you know the trophy engravers were already pulling out the dies to stamp “S” “P” “I” “N”
“N” “E” “R” into the GOLD Portland Dew Tour BMX Park trophy.
“Man, this is excellent,” said Spinner afterwards of his first Dew Tour gold. “I hope everybody back at Monster headquarters is as pumped about this as I am.”
Riding the shoreline break of Spinner’s 1080 all the way onto the podium himself was Monster-backed veteran Dave Mirra. The all-time most decorated BMX athlete, Mirra was consistent as ever and pulled one of the highest prelim scores of the day (93.5). He kept pouring it on in the finals and was rewarded with the silver medal.
BMX Vert
Absolutely unstoppable would be the best way to describe Monster Energy’s Jamie Bestwick’s performance in the halfpipe at the Portland Dew Tour. Bestwick flat-out ripped, overcoming a first run crash and, with his back against the wall, the Brit then smoked everybody on this second run - highlighted by massive alley-oop Superman seat grabs and new downside whip to X-up.
“I think the fact that I slid out in my first run just added to the adrenaline of the second run,” said Bestwick. “That and a Monster Original before hand (laughter)! I knew Portland could be a turning point for several of the other competitors, so it was highly important that I put together an excellent run and was fortunate to win. And my plan is to continue the same here in the next two rounds.”
FMX
Again, as they did in the X Games, Monster Energy’s Adam Jones and Nate Adams proved their they’re at the top of their games in Freestyle Motocross right now, again going 1-2 in a major FMX competition - the Portland Dew Tour FMX comp.
Jones, who also won the FMX Best Trick silver medal at the X games (to Monster’s Kyle Loza’s gold), was flawless at Portland, winning the prelims and staying consistent through the finals. Jones pulled the Stripper flip (a trick he invented), then wowed everybody with a Shaolin flip over the 75-foot gap. Adams, still nursing a badly injured hand, cracked the throttle next and threw some impressive no- hand flip variations, along with a 360 nac-nac flip. The end result was just a bit short of Jones’ score, 90.83 to 91.17.
Skate Vert & BMX Dirt
Monster’s Pierre Luc “PLG” Gagnon continued to amaze following the re- building of his knee last year, this past weekend wicking ‘er up and blazing to a silver medal finish in the Skate Vert event. Gagnon, who also mined silver in the X Games halfpipe, was in command both on and above the cope. His fakie shove-it to frontside lipslide had people spitting out their gum in disbelief, while his fakie 720 was one of the weekend’s premier tricks above the lip. Also running Monster colors and burning holes in the Skatelite® were rookie Alex Perelson
(5th) and Jean Postec (7th) – giving Monster three guys in the top seven overall – the popular energy drink company’s best overall finish of the year.
And finally, on the gnarly BMX Dirt jumps, Monster Energy’s Ryan Guettler pulled a double back flip on the final hit – which was maybe the trick-of-the-night according to fans. A sketch on another double back would unfortunately keep him out of the medals.
Next up for the Monster athletes on the Dew Tour is the Sept. 20-23 Toyota Challenge in Salt Lake City.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it BMX, skate, FMX, MotoGP, MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, MTB, off-road, surf, snow – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo- Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. The guys running the iconic Monster “M-claw” logo are diggin’ ‘em on the Dew Tour – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy’s Jamie Hacking Nails A Double Podium @ Virginia International Raceway AMA Road Racing Event
Hacking’s on the podium in the AMA Superbike class’ first (of two) races, then overtakes Monster/Kawi teammate late to podium in Supersport class
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 20, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed AMA Superbike Championship series racer Jamie Hacking (Monster/Kawasaki) was on the podium twice this past weekend at Virginia International Speedway, finishing 3rd in the first of two premier AMA Superbike races, then coming from behind to make the third and final podium spot in the hotly-contested Pro Honda Oils Supersport class.
By far the most coverage of the weekend, television-wise (broadcast live on Speed TV), was given to the 3rd place battle between Hacking and his Monster Energy-backed teammate, Roger Lee Hayden, as the two raced foot peg to foot peg for the final three laps of the Supersport class event.
“You couldn’t have scripted that one better, huh,” said Hacking.
“Definitely one of the more fun races Roger and I have had all season.”
In addition to their exciting Supersport race, Hacking scored a 4th in the second Superbike contest (to go with his podium 3rd in the first race), while Hayden went 5-10 in the two races.
With the 3rd place Supersport class finish Hacking remained in 1st place overall in the class with 241 points, followed by Hayden in 2nd with 230 points. In all at VIR, Monster placed four of its riders in the top 11 in the Supersport class with Aaron Gobert (Erion Racing/
Honda) finishing 8th and Danny Eslick in 11th. Gobert is in 8th place overall in the Supersport class standing with 150 points and Eslick’s well within striking distance of the top ten with two races remaining, 11th with 133 points – only 12 points out of 10th.
In the Lockart-Phillips Formula Xtreme class, Gobert held onto his 3rd place overall ranking in the standings with an 8th place finish at VIR. Gobert’s a solid 21 points ahead of Larry Peagram for the 3rd and final podium spot in that class.
And in the Superstock class, Eslick would finish a strong 6th, moving him into 4th overall in the Superstock point standings.
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed AMA Superbike Series racers is Round Ten of the series at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., (Aug. 31- Sept. 2).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, MX, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days.
Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Jamie Hacking, Roger Lee Hayden, Aaron Gobert and Danny Eslick dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy’s John Hopkins Finishes In 2nd @ Czech GP – Moves Up In O/A GP Standings
Hopkins was in it to win it in battle with eventual race winner Casey Stoner, but backed the Suzuki GSV-R off late to preserve the podium finish
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 20, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed MotoGP racer John Hopkins (Rizla-Suzuki) scored yet another podium finish in his best MotoGP season to date racing a Suzuki, mastering the Brno (Czech
Republic) MotoGP course to the tune of a 2nd place overall finish in front of a record 140,000-plus road racing fans.
Hopkins, who ran well in qualifying on Friday, started from 4th position on the grid and uncorked a great start – putting himself in 2nd place after only three turns. Hopkins then held tight to that position for the rest of the race, bringing home his Suzuki GVS-R in just a number of seconds behind race winner Casey Stoner.
Said Hopkins in a communication from his Rizla-Suzuki team: “I can say that I am really, really happy with today’s result and the whole weekend in general. I got off the line well and then passed Dani
(Pedrosa) and Nicky (Hayden) in quick succession to get up to second.
My goal had been to be in second by turn three because I knew Casey
(Stoner) would be in first and I didn’t want him to get away. I tried to stay with him, but he had an unbelievable pace and I was pushing the front and the rear to the limit. I tried hard to catch him but after a while I decided to pull it in a bit and make sure I got that second place. The bike and the tyres worked great today and a big thanks to my team for a fantastic job. Congratulations to Chris
(Vermeulen) on a great ride today, we’re tied on points now, so that added competition is good for the whole team for the rest of the season.”
As Hopkins noted both he and teammate Vermeulen are tied with 124 points, both at 4th place overall in the MotoGP standings.
Next up for Monster’s Hopkins is the Sept. 2nd running of the Misano GP in San Marino - Round 13 of the MotoGP Series.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MotoGP, MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/ fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend.
John Hopkins digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy-Backed Ivan Tedesco Scores A 5th @ Spring Creek Outdoor National In Millville, Minn.
Tedesco mounts HUGE comeback in first moto to finish 11th, then runs at podium speed with 4th in second moto for top five overall
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 13, 2007) – Monster Energy’s Ivan Tedesco
(Makita/Suzuki) put together another solid performance on the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship tour, racing his RM-Z450 to a 5th place overall finish at Spring Creek MX Park, round nine of the series.
Much like Washougal, where Tedesco finished 7th, he had to mount a feverous charge from 32nd place after the first lap in the first moto to finish 11th to open Millville. With his back against the wall Tedesco stepped up in the second moto and reeled off a smokin’ race, enjoying a great battle early in the race with Grant Langston and coming up just short of the podium (three seconds) – but 20 seconds ahead of factory Honda’s Andrew Short.
“Coming back like that in the first moto motivated me for the second moto,” said Tedesco. “Our goal now it to put two motos together and get this Makita/Suzuki up on the podium.”
Next up for Monster Energy’s Ivan Tedesco and the Makita/Suzuki team is Round Ten of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships at Steel City (Delmont, Pa.), Aug. 26th.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days.
Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Ivan Tedesco digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence Suffers Through Stomach Virus @ Millville – Has To Pull Out Of Race
Gunning for 3rd place overall in the Lites class points standings, Lawrence is dealt a tough setback at Millville National and drops back further in chase
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 13, 2007) – Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy) was stricken with some sort of stomach virus at the Millville Outdoor National this past weekend, rendering him unable to compete at round nine of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship.
The zero-point setback now has Lawrence some 50-plus points behind Josh Grant for the third and final Lites class overall podium position.
“Pretty much sucked,” said Lawrence of his weekend. “I was fine when I got up there. Then I don’t know exactly what happened. Puked my guts out after the first moto and felt I was in no condition to line up for the second moto.”
Following RedBud (Mich.) Lawrence was within eight points of Grant for 3rd overall. A wreck at Washougal two weeks ago and an unforseen illness at Millville this past weekend now have Lawrence in 5th place overall in the Lites class standings, 54 points behind Grant (312-258).
Next up for the Monster Energy’s Lawrence is the Monster Energy- sponsored Steel City MX National at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa. (Aug. 26th).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days.
Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Jason Lawrence digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy-Backed Motocross Racers Sweep Spring Creek MX Park Podium!
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, Ben Townley & Bret Metcalfe go 1-2-3 at Spring Creek MX National in Millville, Minn.
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 13, 2007) - Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki's made some 2007 Outdoor Nationals history this past weekend when they became the first team to sweep the AMA Lites class podium this summer, going 1-2-3 at Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minn., round nine of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.
Having won the first moto, Monster Energy-backed Ben Townley cranked up his Pro Circuit-tuned Kawasaki KX250F and took an early lead in the race. But charging hard from a 5th place start after the first lap was his teammate, Ryan Villopoto, and Villopoto was able to make the pass on Townley on lap seven (of 15). The two premier Lites class riders would then distance themselves from the pack, with Villopoto eventually taking the overall win ahead of Townley by just over three seconds. Their speed was a testament to their 1-2 ability as teammate Brett Metcalfe (on the same bike) came in 3rd
- some 50 seconds later.
"I wanted that second moto bad," said Villopoto.
With 1-2/2-1 performances, both Townley and Villopoto came away with
47 points. As it stands, after nine rounds, Townley still holds the overall lead in the Lites class championship point chase by a mere two points (404-402). Also, with his podium performance, Metcalfe (3rd o/a) moved into the top ten overall in the standings despite missing five of the nine rounds.
Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is the Aug.
26th Monster Energy/Kawasaki Steel City MX National in Delmont, Pa., Round Ten of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX - name it - the athletes are rockin' Monster Energy more than anything these days.
Check out all the types - Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called "M-80" and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Townley, Villopoto & Metcalfe dig 'em - so will you. On the 'Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael Wins Spring Creek MX National; Brings AMA MX Career To Close
Monster Energy’s “RC” completes his ‘07 MX National farewell tour with a dominant 1-1 performance at Millville, goes undefeated (6-0) for the summer
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 13, 2007) – Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael – the sport’s all-time winningest competitor – raced what is said to be his final AMA Outdoor National motocross, this past weekend recording his amazing 150th career win with a 1-1 performance at Millville’s (Minn.) Spring Creek MX Park.
“It’s been a great ride and I’ve been very fortunate,” said an understandably emotional Carmichael on Sunday. “A lot of things come to an end and I’m happy with every decision I’ve made – and it’s time to move on.”
Carmichael was his usual dominant self at Millville, though his recent rival – Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s James Stewart – was unable to race due to an injury (knee). About the only highlight Carmichael provided outside his thorough mastery of the Spring Creek track, was a save he made in the infamous Millville whoop section. “I just held on and the karma police were good to me,” said Carmichael with a laugh.
So in six races this season Carmichael went 6-0. Had he decided to complete the entire season he’d undoubtedly be in 1st place overall in the standings, though it’s a mute point as he’s also been focusing on his auto racing career.
“I have a goal and that’s to be a race car driver,” said Carmichael. “But this (motocross) is the sport that made me.”
Next up for Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael will be the Sept. 22-23 Motocross Des Nations at Budds Creek MX Park, Budds Creek, Md. Carmichael will be racing for the Monster Energy-backed Team USA, also featuring Monster-backed racers James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto and Tim Ferry.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. RC digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael Mines Gold In First-Ever Summer X Games Moto-X Racing Event
Carmichael dominates the field at Home Depot Center supercross-like race
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 7, 2007) – Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael, competing this past weekend at the X Games during his retirement tour of motocross, capped off a weekend of ESPN celebrating his illustrious career by winning the inaugural X Games Moto-X Racing event in front of a packed house at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.
Carmichael, the all-time winningest motocross racer, topped a field that included World MX GP champion Grant Langston, former AMA Supercross champion Chad Reed and one of the only guys to beat Carmichael straight-up in an Outdoor National motocross race in recent years, Kevin Windham.
“Man, I had a blast this week,” said Carmichael, who was the subject of numerous features by ESPN and even helped with some event announcing. “There was such a good vibe. We hung out and took in all we could, from the skateboard halfpipe ‘Legends’ demo to some of the BMX stuff. I was really impressed with not only how the event was put on, but by the amazing level of athletic talent across the board in LA this week.”
In his event, the Moto-X Racing, Carmichael looked as strong as he’s always been against the field comprised of most of the world’s best supercross racers. Sure, a healthy Monster Energy-backed James Stewart (knee), along with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaski’s Ryan Villopoto and Ben Townley (AMA MX Series Lites points leaders) would have made it a bit more interesting, but Carmichael certainly had his ‘A-Game’ going and was not to be denied his first X Games gold medal.
“You know, it’s definitely pretty cool,” said Carmichael of his X Games gold. “I never really thought I’d be in a position to get one.
That was cool of ESPN to put all this together, and thanks again to Monster – as usual – for all their help.”
Next up for Monster Energy’s Carmichael (Makita/Suzuki) is this weekend’s running of the Millville (Minn.) Spring Creek MX National, Round Nine of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.
For more information on this week’s X Games 13 – including all the results - link to www.expn.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, skate, SuperMoto, road racing, off-road, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days.
Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. They dug ‘em at the X Games – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy’s Adam Jones & Nate Adams DOMINATE X Games’ Premier FMX Event
Jones takes the gold and Adams the silver as X Games FMX is all Monster
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 7, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed Adam Jones and Nate Adams made it an all-Monster X Games freestyle motocross final on Saturday, battling to a ‘thisclose’ finish in the X Games’ premier FMX event – a competition that could have gone either way, but Jones was certainly happy it went his.
“Man, I’m speechless,” said Jones. “This is unreal.”
Both Jones and Adams railed through their one-on-one qualifying rounds, disposing of the world’s top freestyle riders en route to the finals. Once there, the two engaged in one of the more memorable battles of this year’s X Games, throwing an array of combination back flips that had the judges scrambling for scores and announcers scrambling for words to describe such and epic event.
“Yeah, the Stripper back flip,” called out announcer Cameron Steele of Jones’ signature move that won him the silver earlier in the week in FMX Best Trick. “Brian (Deegan, co-announcer) you’re right, this was an amazing run.”
Jones put up a solid 94.40 score in the finals. Next up was Adams, who wasn’t able to compete at 100-percent due to some fresh surgery and pins to hold a finger together after a crash at a recent competition. Still, these guys didn’t get where they are by caving in to a mere flesh would (or even worse in Adams’ case) and Adams nutted up and went for it in the finals.
“Silver’s cool,” said Adams after his run of 93.60 came up just a few clicks short of Jones’ score. “I’m happy for Adam. He deserves it.”
For more information on this week’s X Games 13 – including all the results - link to www.expn.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it FMX, SuperMoto, MX, road racing, off-road, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo- Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. They dug ‘em at the X Games – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy’s Mark Burkhart Takes Gold In X Games SuperMoto Event
Burkhart passes rival Jeff Ward late in the race – and makes it stick – to win his first-ever X Games gold medal
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 7, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed Mark Burkhart made it a clean sweep for Monster athletes racing motorcycles in the X Games, backing up Monster’s Ricky Carmichael (Moto-X Racing gold) with another gold medal performance in the X Games’ SuperMoto race on Saturday.
Burkhart, aboard a Graves/Yamaha YZ450F, caught and passed Honda’s Jeff Ward with two laps to go in the contest – his YZ pulling the Honda on a straight-away after Burkhart set Ward up with a slick outside/inside move on the preceding corner.
“I can’t begin to explain the feeling of winning X Games gold,” said an elated Burkhart. “Definitely the highlight of my career. And I’m pumped the Monster Army was there in force cheering the Graves/Yamaha team on. It was truly a spectacular day of racing.”
Burkhart got off pretty good in the start (3rd), settled in and bided his time on the technical course that ran through the parking lot of the Home Depot Center and onto the playing field of the stadium for the dirt portion of the track. And it was there that Burkhart cemented his legacy in the sport, holding off multi-time MX/SX champion in the dirt to take the win.
“A phenomenal race by Burkhart,” said ESPN announcer Cameron Steele.
“Burkhart’s the best of them all,” added Steele’s announcing partner, Paul Page.
Noteworthy: Burkhart and Ward raised the bar so high in their battle they ended up lapping supercross legend Jeremy McGrath (Monster) late in the race. McGrath would go on to finish 5th.
Also, Monster Energy/Litz Racing/Kawasaki’s Robbie Horton finished an impressive 8th overall in the stacked field.
For more information on this week’s X Games 13 – including all the results - link to www.expn.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SuperMoto, MX, road racing, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days.
Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. They dug ‘em at the X Games – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Expect a whole host of Monster Energy-backed stars racking up medals and TV/Internet impressions in the action sports event of the year!
CORONA, Calif., (Aug. 1, 2007) – To the legions of Monster Energy drinkers around the globe, the ESPN Summer X Games is the pinnacle of action sports competition. So accepted is the event into mainstream sports culture that for many people it’s taken the place of the mighty Olympic Games in terms of popularity.
Monster Energy’s core involvement with the premier athletes is highly evident as the iconic M-claw logo will be showcased heavily as the X Games 13 play out over the next several days. Like a Nike Swoosh logo at a high-level basketball camp or Under Armour’s distinct logo around a football combine, Monster’s M-claw is synonymous with the hierarchy of action sports athletes and their fans.
“It’s just cool,” said one kid of the Monster Energy logo, leaning on his skateboard and watching the construction of the unbelievable X Games halfpipe. “And you gotta like the way Monster tastes.”
So it’s no secret that Monster Energy’s meteoric rise to the upper echelon of energy drinks has its foundation firmly built with these new-age gladiators, right along with the loyal fans who also participate in the now mainstream sports such as skateboarding, surfing, BMX and motocross – all featured prominently on ESPN’s center stage this week.
That said, Monster Energy is proud to introduce it’s medal-bound stable of athletes competing in this week’s X Games, wishing them the best of luck and safe landings here in LA.
Moto X Racing
Taking a page out of Monster Energy-backed Jeremy McGrath’s Invite (JMI) and featuring Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael in one of his last motocross races ever, X Games officials are set to unveil “Moto X Racing.” A pared-down supercross race for all intents and purposes, Moto X Racing will give X Games fans a chance to see the sport that helped spawn other X Games-popularized sports such as FMX, Step Up and SuperMoto.
Run on a supercross track in the Home Depot Center (just like the JMI) with 4-6 racers per heat (vs. the 20 or so in supercross), Moto X Racing will also feature Monster Energy-backed motostar James Stewart – the 2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross champion and current AMA Outdoor National points leader – and Stewart’s Monster Energy/Kawasaki teammate, Tim Ferry – winner of last week’s Washougal MX National. Also, Carmichael’s Monster Energy-backed Makita/Suzuki teammate Ivan Tedesco, has been invited to race. (Note: As of this printing Stewart is “questionalbe” for the X Games due to an injury suffered at Washougal.)
FMX
Monster Energy’s Nate Adams should figure prominently in the medals. Why wouldn’t he? Count ‘em: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 combined medals in Summer, Winter and Global X Games competition has him tied with Travis Pastrana for the most X Games Moto medals. And Adams is on a tear, winning both the Baltimore, Md., and Cleveland Dew Tour stops this summer heading into the X Games.
Joining Adams in the Monster assault on the FMX podium will be Adam Jones. The X Games’ FMX silver medalist last year (bronze medalist in ’04), Jones has 4th and 5th place finishes on the Dew Tour this summer.
Best Trick
One of the more unique stories of the X Games this week will come from a (now) relatively unknown guy named Scott Murray from Perronville, Mich. Murray literally burst onto the FMX scene last week – through YouTube – with footage of him landing the second-ever double back flip. Word and footage quickly spread to X Game officials and they sent out a last-second invite to Murray. Officials at Monster Energy were also aware of his historic effort and contacted Murray and are helping him and his family with their trip out to LA. Noteworthy: Murray’s trip – in his van with his jump ramp – is being chronicled for a feature story during the X Games. Check out Murray’s double back: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dKzG8m774DE
Not to be overshadowed, Monster Energy’s Kyle Loza and his new trick – the “Volt” – is the odds-on favorite for best trick gold so far. Loza, who’s really just entering the global FMX competition scene for the first time this summer, can be seen developing the Volt on the X Games’ website. Here’s the link of Loza’s mind-blowing new trick: http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/ivp/index?id=2938883
And, of course, bank on Nate Adams to pull a medal out of the FMX “Best Trick” as well.
Step Up
Monster Energy’s living legend, the original Jeremy “Showtime” McGrath, returns to X Games Step Up looking for a third-straight medal. In 2004 McGrath struck gold in the event, scored bronze in ’05 and a silver last year. He’s definitely considered a favorite to medal again here in ’07.
SuperMoto
Both Monster Energy’s Mark Burkhart and Doug Henry medaled in the X Games’ SuperMoto event last year, Burkhart capturing the silver and Henry the bronze in one of the weekend’s most exciting events. This year Burkhart returns in hopes of mining gold. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Henry as one of the all-time fan favorite motocross racers suffered a racing career-ending injury during a supermoto practice session in Florida this past March. Stepping in for Henry from the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team that sponsors him will be AMA Supermoto Lites racer Brandon Currie. Also running the M-claw logo in SuperMoto will Honda-backed Jeremy McGrath and Michigan’s Chris Fillmore of the Monster Energy/Litz/Kawasaki team.
Multidiscipline Jeremy McGrath will also be a contender for the podium in Supermoto.
Skate
Skate Street at the X Games should feature Monster Energy’s Greg Lutzka and Jereme Rogers figuring prominently in the scoring. Lutzka (’05 X Games Skate Street silver medalist) made a good run at current top street skater Ryan Scheckler at the Dew Tour opener in Baltimore, going for – and landing – several tricks that Scheckler tried to mirror, but was unsuccessful in riding away from. Rogers is another skater that’s got the ability to shake things up at the top, having done so on the Dew Tour last year when he won the Denver round. And he was thisclose to making the X Games Skate Street podium last year, finishing 4th.
On the Skate Vert ramp Monster Energy will be represented by Pierre Luc “PLG” Gagnon. The Canadian is in the midst of a comeback from injury, striving to reach the prominence he’s enjoyed through out the new millennium. During that reign PLG won an amazing eight X Games medals, including double gold in 2002 (Vert & Best Trick) and Vert again in ’05. And joining PLG on the vert ramp wearing the Monster colors will be 16-year-old X Games newcomer, Alex Perelson.
In the Vert Ams, Monster’s Taylor Smith will be representing as one of the young skate halfpipe leaders working to carry on the vert tradition.
Finally, in Skate Big Air, PLG will be joined by Jake Brown – a perennial top ten Vert/Best Trick finisher at the X Games. Both PLG and Brown are looking for their first medals on the burly “Mega Ramp” inspired by fellow vert skater Danny Way.
BMX
Led by all-time X Game medal winner Dave Mirra (20 total, 14 gold) and his protégée, BMX Park specialist Mike Spinner (BMX Park silver @ Baltimore Dew Tour this summer), Monster Energy’s got a super shot at the BMX Park podium. Add to that the favorite to win BMX Vert @ X Games 13 – Monster Energy’s Jamie Bestwick – and it’s pretty much a certain that Monster will mine some hardware out of the BMX events. Since 2000, Bestwick has struck gold four times in X Games competition and is the defending silver medalist. This BMX medal rush also includes Ryan Guettler in the BMX Big Air event as the Australian’s medaled three times in X Games competition (bronze in the ’03 Global X Games BMX Park, ’04 X Games BMX Park and ’05 BMX Dirt).
Surf
Monster Energy’s lone entrant in the X Games Team Surfing competition is a beauty – literally. Soon-to-be-known to the legions of X Games fans is Monster Energy’s Claire Bevilacqua, aka “Bevo.” The Australian surfer – 2005 WCT Rookie of the Year – will be representing on the Team World women.
Rally
Wrapping up the medal run for Monster Energy will be Ken Block and the Monster Energy-backed Subaru Impreza WRX STI – the defending silver medalist in the X Games Rally Car event. Currently, Block is in 3rd place overall in the point standings of the 2007 Rally America National Championships.
For more information on this week’s X Games 13 – including up-to-date TV listings – link to www.expn.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. They’ll be diggin’ ‘em at the X Games – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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