Team Suzuki Press Office – January 28. Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s James Stewart continued to show courage and unflagging determination when he was once again faced with simple, old-fashioned bad luck at round four of the AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championships at O.co Stadium in Oakland, California on Saturday night.
In true Championship-winning fashion, Stewart started race day on a high note by posting the fastest qualifying time on his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450. In his heat-race, he overcame a rough start and then picked-off the competition to finish an impressive second.
“I felt fast all day and my knee was feeling better,” said Stewart of the injury he’s nursed since round one. “In the heat race I got a mid-pack start, but I worked my way into second. We made a couple of changes to the RM-Z450 in between the heat races and the Main Event and it just felt good; the track felt better and I felt better. I was actually really looking forward to racing tonight.”
In the 450 class Main Event, however, Stewart fell victim to a turn-two crash caused by another rider. Overall, the pile-up claimed four riders and although Stewart attempted to get back into the fray, a stuck throttle forced the disappointed racer to call it a night.
“I got a bad start in the Main but made some great passes in the first turn and whoop section,” said Stewart. “Then in that second corner, a rider got out of control and cut another guy off and they pile-drove me pretty good and I hurt my knee again. Eventually I got up and went to jump the triple and landed, and my throttle was stuck. It was one of those races. I have to give it up to the Yoshimura Suzuki team though and all the fans for their support. I’m disappointed but right now it’s all about just being here. The real reason I’m still here racing is because I love doing it. Whether I’m winning or finishing 16th every week, I’ll still be here because I love racing.”
Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s next event is the fifth round of the 2013 AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championships on Saturday February 2nd, when they return to Anaheim’s Angel Stadium in California for the third and final time this year.
Oakland 450 Supercross Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
2. Davi Millsaps (Rockstar Energy Suzuki)
3. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
4. Trey Canard (Honda)
5. Mike Alessi (Suzuki)
6. Andrew Short (Honda)
7. Matt Goerke (KTM)
8. Broc Tickle (RCH Suzuki)
9. Vince Friese (Honda)
10. Justin Brayton (Yamaha)
