Mammoth Big Bikes Day 1	PDF | Print | E-mail
	Author: Scott Parkinson
	Location: Mammoth, CA

It is no secret that over the last couple of years Timmy Weigand has become a Mammoth Motocross hero—a legend in the making. This year's Mammoth race was even more special with Timmy having a stroke and open heart surgery about eleven short weeks ago. Timmy has worked hard and has overcome a lot these last few months to line up on the starting gate here at Mammoth. Last weekend Timmy battled with the Vets and took home two titles in the 30+ pro class. Today Timmy lined up against some of the fastest young pros in the country. In moto 1 Timmy rode to a very respectable fourth place finish.

In moto 2 Timmy was charging while running in third and he went down hard. While charging down the sand whoops Timmy got out of shape and cart wheeled. He hit the ground hard. Timmy was taken to the hospital and suffered a dislocated shoulder and a bad concussion. It sounds like Timmy is going to be OK and is hoping to be released form the hospital tonight. Our prayers are with Timmy and the Weigand family. We love you guys!

Speaking of prayers, we are also praying for Rusty Holland who crashed into Timmy’s bike while he was down on the track. It is sounding like Holland suffered a shoulder injury.

Also in the Pro Open class Gannon Audette was on the move in moto 1, taking the win. In moto 2, Audette started right where he left off. However, after running in second place for most of the moto Audette found himself hitting the ground and falling well off the podium.

Nick Paluzzi took third in moto 1. In moto 2, Paluzzi got a great start and soon found himself in the lead. He never looked back and took the moto win. His 3-1 moto finishes were good enough to take the Pro Open Championship.

Also riding really well  today was Kawasaki’s Tyler Sjoberg. In moto 1 Sjoberg charged from about eighth place to take over the lead. It was an impressive ride; unfortunately, while he was beginning to check out he got a flat tire and fell back to second. In moto two Sjoberg got off to another mediocre start, but he put his head down and charged forward. When the dust cleared, Sjoberg finished second in moto 2 and second over all in the Open Pro class.

Brian Sjogren looked solid today in the Open Int. class. After taking the win in his division qualifier he jumped out and also took the win in the main. Justin Hill and Chris Plouffe kept him honest the whole race,but Sjogren took the checkered flag and the Open Int. title!

After placing second in the Open Int main, Justin Hill had to run back to the line for the very next moto, the Schoolboy main. Hill jumped out to the lead and never looked back. Honda rider Jessy Nelson made a charge at the end of the moto, but Hill took the win.

In the Women’s class Greer won both motos and took the overall. She put in a very impressive ride. Taking second in the class was Amanda Maheu. Erika Short also put in a very solid ride. Short finished third in the first moto. In moto 2, Short found herself in second for most of the moto until Amanda Maheu tired to make an inside pass and the two riders came together and hit the ground! Both riders remounted, but it cost Short second; she had to settle for third on the day.

Colton Aeck (pictured below) put in a couple of really impressive rides today in the Two-Stroke and Schoolboy classes. It should be fun to watch the young 14 year old try his hand tomorrow in the 250 Jr. class!

Tyler Bereman rode good all day long. Sadly, Bereman took a nasty fall down the Mammoth downhill while running in fourth in today's Open Int class. Bereman is OK and will be back at it tomorrow.

Below: PanicREV's Zack Cobb charging in the Open Int main!