The result was impressive, as the GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda team filled four of the
top eight positions on the day in the highly competitive Lites class. The top team rider was Grant, who had the fastest qualifying time during Friday practice, and then turned good starts into good finishes in both motos.
top eight positions on the day in the highly competitive Lites class. The top team rider was Grant, who had the fastest qualifying time during Friday practice, and then turned good starts into good finishes in both motos. In the first moto, he finished fourth, and then in moto two, he grabbed the holeshot and led the first 12 laps of the race before losing the lead to Ryan Villopoto and finishing second. But the 4-2 score was good enough for second overall in his first race back in nearly two months.
"I got in about four or five days of riding in the last week, and I felt good enough to come out and ride, so I'm just pumped to be here," Grant said. "These last five days, I've really worked on being smooth and not riding too crazy, and I think the way the track was set up tonight, it kind of suited that. So, it was just easy for me to get in my groove and stay with the lines that I chose, and it worked out. I was just really excited to come back and get a good result for our team, and I just want to do it again next weekend."
Eastern Regional SX champ Canard also looked really good in his return from injury, scoring a 5-3 for fourth overall, and he was all over Grant at the finish of the second moto for second place. "I don't think anything has changed too much in the last few weeks, I just got a little bit of rest," Canard said of recovering from the injury he suffered at round three. "I felt like I was riding really good this weekend, and I was happy with what I was doing on the bike, but all the speed in the world doesn't matter much if you're not up front."
Lakewood also marked a best for Dan Reardon, as the Aussie pilot finished inside the top five overall for the first time outdoors. Reardon has been improving every week. Round-four runner-up Jake Weimer had a tough go of it in Colorado but still pulled of eighth overall. Unlike the past two years, Weimer did finish both motos in Colorado, which resulted in a significant jump up in the points, as he's now tied for third with Austin Stroupe and is within striking distance of second in the championship.
The GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda team sets off for Red Bud, the halfway point in the AMA National Motocross Championship, this Sunday, July 6th in Buchanan, Michigan, where all four riders are again expected to mix it up at the front of the Lites pack. AMSOIL is the Official Oil of the AMA Outdoor Nationals.
Until then, we'll see you at the races.
