September 18th 2011……MX of Nations Wrap Up
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The scores from Team Puerto Rico were not strong enough from Saturday’s finals to transfer directly to the “A” main on Sunday’s program where 20 teams would compete. However there was a “B” Final on Sunday morning and the winner of the “B” final would participate in the final program.
Puerto Rico was in a good position to win the final. Tommy Weeck had been landed on in Saturday’s qualifier, and had finished in 27th, well off his 11th fastest qualifying time in the entire MX2 class. Top Jimmy had been plowed by Brad Anderson from England in the first corner sending him careening off the track through two fences. Albertson got up in dead last and charged from 35th to 14th, although the combined effort of the two riders would fall short of transferring to the main.
Sunday’s “B” Final started off well with Albertson starting right up front, but a few corners into the race, Jimmy lost his front end approaching the face of a jump in the muddy conditions. Once again Albertson charged from 39th position to finish 3rd in the final. Weeck would experience more problems and finish 20th. The results would not be good enough to make the “A” final later in the day, and Ireland would become the wild card winner and advance.
Albertson was completely disappointed in how things went for Team Puerto Rico in the event. Qualifying 6th fastest in the open class, and riding extremely well from the back of the pack was little consolation for Albertson, since Puerto Rico would not be in the final.
The event itself was a special one, and Jimmy hopes to return for Team Puerto Rico in 2012 at the Lommel Circuit in Belgium. Puerto Rico Team manager Gabriel Catala was an absolute pleasure, and a future trip to Puerto Rico is in the works. Jimmy gives his personal thanks to Gabriel for the opportunity to represent Puerto Rico along with visiting his country, and looks forward to lifetime friendship.
Big thanks go out to Chad Lanza at Valli Motorsports and Rockstar Yamaha! Shoei, Troy Lee, Pro Circuit, Scott, and Dunlop were also great supporters. Alpinestars was the biggest hit at the event with a huge catering expanse that had offerings like a 5 star restaurant for their teams, racers and much of the event personel. Much appreciation goes to Steve Dixon with “Bike It Cosworth Yamaha” for providing bike support at the event on behalf of Yamaha riders.
Albertson will return to the states on the 23rd of September and work on earning himself a ride for 2012. Albertson will be based in the Corona, Ca. area to get ready for the 2102 Supercross season.
September 17th 2011….MXoN Practice and Qualifying
Photo by Jeffrey Beerdsen (VitalMX member-jeffro98)
Jimmy was positioned for an excellent start in the open moto as he approached the first turn. In the apex of the corner he got slammed by a Honda from the outside which sent him careening off the track and through the fence. After picking up his bike in last place(35th) with the pack long gone, he proceeded to pick off 21 riders to ended up 14th in the 20 minute plus 2 lap race.
Puerto Rico Teammate Tommy Weecks had some tough luck and did go down early in his MX2 qualifying moto. No actual injury report as of yet, but it did take Tommy a while to get going again. Tommy finished 26th in his heat.
Team Puerto Rico will go to the “B” final tomorrow AM, since they qualified outside the top 19 teams. The winning team of the “B” final will go to main event to join the other teams who qualified today. Good Luck to team Puerto Rico tomorrow.
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- Practice times for Open Class
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- Photo by Jeffrey Beerdsen (VitalMX member-jeffro98)
Interview with Paul Malin, Brett Metcalf and Georgia Lindsey
