McElrath extends Red Bull Straight Rhythm title!
The fifth edition of Red Bull Straight Rhythm was all about two-strokes and everything related to supercross in the 90s! The fact that we experienced this legendary race live from the front row in Pomna, California, in a fantastic setting and perfect conditions - hello sunset and summer temperature - made everything all the more intense.
The recipe for the Red Bull Straight Rhythm is as simple as it is ingenious. Take half a mile, just straight ahead with rollers, whoops, doubles, triples and other “rhythmic madness”, a starting ramp, evening lighting and a large grandstand with an exuberant and super enthusiastic audience! In a tournament format, the best of three runs always advances to the next round. The big absentee was Ronnie Mac who had to miss the event due to an injury. Tyler Bowers' great KX500 also stood idle in the paddock.
Gared Steinke out!
Reigning two-stroke champion Gared “Stankdog” Steinke bit the dust - literally and figuratively - in the quarter-final against Red Bull-KTM test rider Ryan Morais. The popular two-stroke hero had to go to hospital for treatment after his hard crash in the third run with a shoulder and collarbone injury. Christophe Pourcel provided a spectacle but always narrowly lost out to Chase Marquier in the 150cc class! The elimination of both Steinke and Pourcel was therefore a big surprise. The fact that 'Cri-cri' went out in the quarter liters was expected because the two-time SX Lites champion met none other than Ryan Villopoto.
In the 150cc, wonder boy Carson Brown made a big impression in the quarter-finals and so did Luke Renzland. Renzland rode a Jeremy McGrath replica Peak 125cc with chief mechanic Skip Norfolk, McGrath's ex-mechanic at his side. The match between AJ Cantanzaro and Ryan Surrat in particular had the audience on its feet. However, Catanzaro prevailed and then, in another exciting duel, defeated Renzland!
Ryan Vs Ryan!!
For years on end, Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey dominated AMA Supercross. The semi-final match between RV2 and RD5 created high tension! Famed for his regularity, Dungey remained true to himself. Roger Decoster's pupil hardly made a mistake and deservedly advanced to the final. It is also striking how the public sided with the Red Bull-KTM rider over RV. Villopoto did win a consolation prize by beating Smith in the battle for bronze.
Two-time Straight Rhythm winner Shane McElrath faced off against his Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM teammate Jordon Smith in his semi-final. Two identical motorcycles, two top class riders in the same equipment (ever seen the tormentors of Daniel The Karate Kid on a dirt bike?) but McElrath advanced to the final despite strong opposition. In the battle of generations, the sympathetic TLD driver appeared slightly more aggressive. Dungey did what he can, but was defeated.
Superstar in the making: Carson Brown!
Anyone who has seen Carson Brown on the pit bike, on his Instagram account for example, knows what this young guy has to offer. Red Bull Straight Rhythm seemed like a perfect fit for him from the morning on and he would gradually confirm that impression. The 150cc final was an entertaining duel in which Catanzaro raised hopes with a victory in the second run. With the accompanying “worm dance”, AJ did full justice to his idol James Stewart. However, in the final third sprint there was no solution against Brown. Cédric Soubeyras also played on the European side. Soub has already proven his skills in the Red Bull Straight Rhythm and did so again yesterday. Unfortunately he had to face Dungey in the tournament.
250th grade
1. Shane McElrath (KTM)
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
3. Ryan Villopoto (Yamaha)
150Class
1.Carson Brown (Husqvarna)
2. AJ Catanzaro (Kawasaki)
3. Luke Renzland (Yamaha)
finals
250 Class: Ryan Dungey vs. Shane McElrath – McElrath wins 2-1
125 Class: Carson Brown vs. AJ Catanzaro – Brown Wins 2-1
Battle for bronze:
250th grade
Ryan Villopoto vs. Jordon Smith – Villopoto wins 2-1
150th grade
Luke Renzland vs. Chase Marquier – Renzland wins 2-0
Semi-final results:
250th grade
Ryan Dungey vs. Ryan Villopoto – Dungey wins 2-0
Shane McElrath vs. Jordon Smith – McElrath wins 2-1
Results 2nd round
250th grade
Ryan Dungey vs. Cedric Soubeyras – Dungey wins 2-0
Ryan Villopoto vs. Josh Grant – Villopoto wins 2-1
Cameron McAdoo vs. Jordon Smith – Smith wins 2-0
Shane McElrath vs. Ryan Morais – McElrath wins 2-0
150th grade
Carson Brown vs. Chase Marquier – Brown wins 2-0
AJ Catanzaro vs. Luke Renzland – Catanzaro wins 2-1
Results 1st round
250th grade
Ryan Dungey vs. Mike Brown – Dungey wins 2-0
Cedric Soubeyras vs. Ryan Sipes – Soubeyras wins 2-0
Ryan Villopoto vs. Christophe Pourcel – Villopoto wins 2-0
Kyle Patridge vs. Josh Grant – Grant wins 2-0
Johnny Jelderda vs. Jordon Smith – Smith wins 2-0
Cameron McAdoo vs. Austin Politelli – McAdoo wins 2-0
Darryn Durham vs. Shane McElrath – McElrath wins 2-0
Ryan Morais vs. Gared Steinke – Morais wins 2-0
150th grade
Carson Brown vs. Colton Aeck – Brown wins 2-0
Christophe Pourcel vs. Chase Marquier – Marquier wins 2-0
AJ Catanzaro vs. Ryan Surratt – Catanzaro wins 2-1
Luke Renzland vs. Chance Fullerton – Renzland wins 2-0
Qualifying times 250 class
1. Ryan Dungey – 42.783
2. Jordon Smith – 42.872
3. Shane McElrath – 43.051
4. Ryan Villopoto – 43.356
5. Josh Grant – 43.510
6. Ryan Morais – 44.111
7. Cameron McAdoo – 44.162
8. Cedric Soubeyras – 44.377
9. Ryan Sipes – 44.464
10. Austin Politelli – 44.866
11. Gared Steinke 45.047
12. Kyle Partridge – 45.082
13. Christophe Pourcel – 45.129
14. Darryn Durham – 45.174
15. Johnny Jelderda – 45.844
16. Mike Brown – 46.157
Qualifying times 250 class
1. Carson Brown – 45.879
2. Luke Renzland – 46.264
3. AJ Catanzaro – 46.618
4. Chase Marquier – 46.727
5. Christophe Pourcel – 46.842
6. Ryan Surratt – 47.152
7. Gared Steinke – 47.516
8. Colton Aeck – 47.958
9. Chance Fullerton – 54.518
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