Two, annual warm-up races for the AMA Supercross season were held in Southern California this weekend, with several top pros competing.
On Saturday, at Glen Helen Raceway, several top 125cc supercross/motocross riders showed up for the annual supercross warm-up race. Although the 250cc class lacked significant competition for the lone factory rider, Kawasaki’s Stephane Roncada (who won handily over privateers Robbie Reynard and Mike Craig), the 125cc class was stacked with talent.
KTM’s reigning 125cc World Motocross champion, Grant Langston, showed he is ready for America’s best by winning the 125cc main event against American stars, such as Kawasaki’s Shae Bentley and Tallon Vohland, KTM teammate Brock Sellards, and other top riders. Langston showed tenacity, and emerged victorious despite some mistakes during the race that saw him lose the lead, and then regain it.
Langston again looked strong on New Year’s day at the Temecula Motorsport’s Perris Raceway shoot-out. Again, it was the 125cc class that was stacked with talent, with Yamaha’s David Vuillemin riding a 125 (we’re not sure why), and other top riders competing in that class. In his qualifier, Langston pulled away from Vuillemin to victory. In the main event, however, Langston landed short on a triple jump and bruised his chest and shoulders, causing him to withdraw from the race. A brief conversation with Langston in the pits afterwards indicated he should be fine (if a little sore) for the beginning of the upcoming supercross season.
The South African Langston is still learning supercross, but he looked awfully good on these outdoor, supercross-style tracks.
