SMOKE IN THE GLEN: MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE PHOTO GALLERY

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Photos by Debbi Tamietti & Dan Alamangos

DEBstart250Before the gate dropped it was assumed that the prime contenders for the $8000 Open Pro purse, from L.A. Sleeve, would be Zach Osborne (16), Mike Alessi (800) and Sean Collier (207). The first turn did nothing to dispel this thought as they swept into the newly designed 240-degree Talladega first turn in first, second and third. Note the photographer running for his life. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DANalessivictoryMike Alessi’s plan was to win both the Open Pro and 125 Pro classes and he most likely would have, but his Suzuki RM125 blew its crank on Friday and the repairs left him with a bike that wasn’t fast enough to clear the big jumps. Mike settled for the Open Pro victory. Photo: Dan Alamangos

DANgateMike Alessi (800), Dennis Stapleton (49), Zach Osborne (16) and R.J. Wageman (621) wait for the starting bell. Photo: Dan Alamangos

DANcollierSean Collier (207) had the power of the KX500 he used to win the MTA World Two-Stroke crown in 2013 and 2014, but he didn’t have the stamina to hang onto it at full blast for the two 25-minute motos. Sean went 7-6 for sixth . Photo: Dan Alamangos

DANhaackerwagemanFresh off his 2016 World SuperEnduro Championship in Europe last week, Colton Haacker (10) had the speed to run at the front, but his starts were terrible. His 9-7 left him 8th overall in the Open Pro class. Here, he chases R.J. Wageman (621). Photo: Dan Alamangos

DEBedmondsIrish Champion and MXDN team member Stuart Edmonds (162) tries to get his TM underneath R.J. Wageman (621). It didn’t work, as Wageman got 5th overall and the Dubliner went 8-8 for 9th (in spite of a flat rear tire in moto two). Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DEBdennisMXA’s Dennis Stapleton (49) was running 6th in the first moto of the Open Pros when he hit the ground hard. He got up and finished 22nd. Although hurting, he raced the second moto for a brave 16th. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DEBkillyruskKilly Rusk (67) came close to winning the MTA World Two-Stroke Championship in 2015, but he wasn’t as close in 2016. Killy’s 10-10 was good enough for, what else, tenth place. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DEBsleeterExactly one year ago Mike Sleeter (111) shed his perennial bridesmaid reputation by winning the 2015 MTA World Two-Stroke Championship. Without good starts, Mike was shuffled out of the top ten in 2016.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DEBdubachAlways the sentimental favorite at Glen Helen, Doug Dubach’s hometrack advantage didn’t help him this year. At 54-years-old Doug can hold his head up high as he did better than half of the much younger field. Plus, when Doug goes home after a race, he is still one of only a handful of AMA Supercross winners.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DANchampionScott Champion (76) had one of those lonely days. He was out of touch with the leader, but way ahead of his chasers. All that invisibility added up to second overall with a 2-3.  Photo: Dan Alamangos Tamietti

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DANgiveawayEvery rider entered in the 2016 World Two-Stroke Champinship had their name thrown into a hat and the winner would receive a brand-new, hopped-up, 2016 Yamaha YZ125 from MTA. The winner was Michelle Horton.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DEBpiggyHigh on a hill is this creative steel sculpture in honor of the late Kyle Yarnell.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DEBlawlerIn a cool moment, Debbi Tamietti captured this shot of Steve Lawler’s daughter running along side of him every time he came through the sand hairpin turn. She would wait for Dad on the slowest part of the track and then chase after him by running on the infield next to the track.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DANsurrattIn the 125 class Ryan Surratt (151) gave it his all in every corner on the track. Ryan took the win by repassing Justin Hoeft with a couple corners to go on the last lap of the second moto.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DANwagemanRobbie Wageman’s 3-3 in the 125 Pro class bested his broher R.J.’s 5th in the Open Pro class, but in the war of the siblings, R.J.’s fifth paid a lot more money than Robbie’s third.  Photo: Dan Alamangos

DANblose125

Michael Blose (82) gets a good look at the Glen Helen bridge before plunging downhill. Blose went 7-5 got 6th overall in the 125 Pro class. Photo: Dan Alamangos

DABbrown4Although Robbie Wageman and Justin Hoeft probably don’t realize it, former AMA 125 National  Champion Mike Brown (3) is old enough to have raced against their AMA Pro fathers, Darrin Hoeft and Russ Wageman. The soon-to-be 44-year-old Brown battled with the kids all day long and went 4-4. Photo: Dan Alamangos

DANbrianmedeirosHawaiian Brian Medeiros (82) floats high above the cares of the world. Brian’s 12th overall was the byproduct of bad starts and crashes in the 125 Pro class. Photo: Dan Alamangos

DEBweigandThe question isn’t how Husqvarna’s Timmy Weigand got in this position, it is how did he get out of it. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DEBweiganduprightThis is a right-side-up Timmy Weigand—who extricated himself to go 5-6 in the 125 Pro class for 5th overall. Photo: Dan Alamangos

DEBmiketunnel

Mike Alessi—2016 World Two-Stroke Champion. Photo: Dan Alamangos

MTA/L.A. SLEEVE WORLD TWO-STROKE RESULTS: OPEN CLASS
1. Mike Alessi…Suz
2. Scott Champion…Yam
3. Zach Osborne…Hus
4. Ryan Surratt…Yam
5. R.J. Wageman…Yam
6. Sean Collier…Kaw
7. Austin Howell…Hus
8. Colton Haacker…Hus
9. Stuart Edmonds…TM
10. Killy Rusk…Yam
Other notables: 11. Mike Sleeter; 12. Arik Swan; 13. Doug Dubach; 18. Dennis Stapleton; 21. Arnaud Wauters.

MTA/L.A. SLEEVE WORLD TWO-STROKE RESULTS: 125 CLASS
1. Ryan Surratt…Yam
2. Justin Hoeft…Yam
3. Robbie Wageman…Yam
4. Mike Brown…Hus
5. Timmy Weigand…Hus
6. Michael Blose…Suz
7. Kristoffer Palm…Suz
8. Shaun Rhinehart…Yam
9. Matt Smith…Kaw
10. Casey Casper…KTM
Other notables: 11. Chris See; 12. Brian Medeiros; 13. Andy Daggett; 14. Johnny Jelderda; 15, Mike Alessi.

 

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