Freestone: 250 Moto 1 Report

The 250 class ripped off the gate here at Freestone, and great racing followed. Check out what went down in the first 250 moto!

Words: Kevin Anderson

Photo: Austin White

Dean Wilson grabbed the first moto win here at Freestone, redeeming himself from last year where he slowed down on the last lap and losing the lead. After getting a good place start, Barcia and Musquin went down in front of him, then Baggett did as well, and after that it was all Wilson. Deano looked strong out front and didn’t seem to be bothered by the heat at all. Will we see a repeat from the #15 in moto 2?

Photo: Austin White

Tyla Rattray grabbed the 2nd position in the first 250 moto behind his teammate Dean Wilson, and had a pretty smooth ride the entire moto. The former world champion is no stranger to rough tracks, so he looks right at home on this tough Freestone track.

Photo: Austin White

Texas boy Kyle Cunningham took the 3rd spot on the podium in the first moto here at Freestone, much to the delight of the Texas fans. On the podium Kyle commented on the heat and said that after being dehydrated last weekend at Hangtown, he is feeling some fatigue here after the first moto. Can he pull through in the 2nd moto and back up that podium? The Texas fans sure hope so!

Photo: Austin White

Gareth Swanepoel took 4th in the first moto, only finishing 4 seconds behind 3rd place Cunningham. Swanepoel is a new name to the AMA Motocross circuit, but he definitely has the speed to run up front.

Photo: Austin White

Tomac rounded out the top 5 in the first 250 moto today, represent the Gieco Honda Team in the top 5 after teammate Barcia went down with the lead on the first lap. Coming into the season, Tomac was touted as a major championship contender. Next moto, can Tomac get up front and mix it up for a podium position?

Photo: Austin White

After grabbing the holeshot, Justin Barcia lost the front end coming into a corner on the backside of the track and faceplanted into a haybale, a scary crash since he hit it head first. Uninjured, Barcia would remount in last and charge all the way up to 9th. If he hadn’t gone down, it would have been a awesome moto between Justin and Blake Baggett.

Photo: Austin White

Possibly the most unfourtunate rider of that moto was Marvin Musquin, who got hit in the face with Barcia’s rear wheel when Barcia went down. Marvin walked off, although he would not remount, and DNF’d the moto. Hopefully he is okay, and we will see him back for the next moto.

Photo: Austin White

After inheriting the lead after Barcia & Musquins crash, Blake would lead for a bit, only to tip over in a corner and hand the lead over to his teammate Wilson. Blake would finish up in the 7th position.