photos by: James Saechao

Round one of the WMX Series at the Hangtown Classic was all Jessica Patterson (pictured below grabbing the holeshot). Patterson got great starts in both moto 1 and 2 and went 1-1 on the day. She set the bar high for the rest of the series and is no doubt hungry to take that number 1 plate back in 2010.

Last year's champion, Ashley Fiolek (pictured below) came into Hangtown ready to battle and defend her title. In moto 1 Fiolek led but had an uncharacteristic fall and had to settle for 3rd. In moto 2 Ashley put in a solid ride but never mounted much of a threat to Patterson. Fiolek ended the day going 3-2 for second overall.

Tarah Geiger (pictured below) is coming back to the series after an injury in 2009. She picked up a ride with the Troy Lee Designs Honda team and looked solid. Geiger looked like she did in 2008 when her and Patterson were battling for the win week in and week out. With Geiger getting healthy again and finding her speed it should be a fun series to follow. In moto 1 Geiger lead for a number of laps before surrendering the lead to Patterson. In moto 1 Geiger would have to settle for 2nd. In moto 2 Geiger hit some bad luck and hit the ground on lap 1. She had to put on a charge from way back. When the dust cleared, Geiger had worked her way into 6th in moto 2, which was good enough to give her 3rd overall.

Able to muster an 8th place finish in moto 1 was Mariana Balbi. Balbi really put it together in moto 2 with a 3rd place finish, giving her a 4th place finish overall.

Making her WMX pro debut at the Hangtown Classic was Rock River Yamaha rider Alexah Pearson (pictured below). Pearson rode very consistent, going 5-5 for 5th overall. Look for the rookie to improve as she builds confidence and experience going into round two in Texas! Pearson has the speed to run with that front group.

Going 8-4 and placing 6th overall was Elizabeth Bash.

Coming off a very successful rookie season, Vicki Golden set the bar really high for herself. Unfortunately, Hangtown would bring bad starts and bad luck. In moto 1 Golden found herself coming out of the first corner in about 13th. She put her head down and charged forward, finally making her way into 4th were she finished. It was a good ride on the tight, hard to pass Hangtown track. In moto 2 Golden got a better start but ended up on the ground trying to avoid Geiger, who had also fallen. Golden was way back, didn't give up, and was able to move her way into 10th. Her 4-10 moto finishes put her in 7th overall.

Tatum Sik (pictured below) took a pretty nasty soil sample on the first lap of practice, cutting and bruising her face. However, she was able to remount and line up to the starting line. Sik went 10-7 for 9th overall. Sik will be looking to stay off the ground and improve on her finish in Texas.

Going down on media day was Kawasaki rider Sara Price. Price was banged up a bit but fought through the pain and was able to capture some valuable points coming out of round 1 at Hangtown. Price took a very respectable 6th in moto 1. However, she also hit some bad luck when she went down on lap 1 of moto 2. She was way back after her fall on the first lap but never gave up and ended up 17th in moto 2. Price finished 11th overall.

Sherri Cruse had an unfortunate crash in practice and hurt her wrist. She was unable to race but will hopefully be able to heal up and be ready to go in Texas. Stay tuned.

KTM rider Sarah Whitmore (pictured below) looked smooth on the Hangtown track and finished just outside the top ten. I am sure she will make a few adjustments and be inside the top 5 come round 2 in Texas.

WMX Class (Moto Finish)
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (1-1)
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (3-2)
3. Tarah Gieger, Winter Gardens, Fla., Honda (2-6)
4. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha (9-3)
5. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., Yamaha (5-5)
6. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Honda (8-4)
7. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha (4-10)
8. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Torrance, Calif., Suzuki (7-9)
9. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (10-7)
10. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., Yamaha (14-8)

WMX Class Standings
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha, 50
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 42
3. Tarah Gieger, Winter Gardens, Fla., Honda, 37
4. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha, 32
5. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., Yamaha, 32
6. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 31
7. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha, 29
8. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Torrance, Calif., Suzuki, 26
9. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha, 25
10. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., Yamaha, 20

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