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AMA title set for winner takes all showdown |
Four riders, one title. That's what it all boils down to as the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship comes to a conclusion at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino this weekend.
What is more, the four different riders are on four different brands of motorcycle, with Yamaha's Grant Langston leading the way into the 12th Annual Giant RV AMA Motocross Nationals. However, he is closely followed by Honda's Andrew Short, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Tim Ferry and Mike Alessi of Red Bull KTM.
Only 15 points separate the top four riders in the battle, making the 2007 chase one of the closest in AMA history, with all four riders vying to become the first AMA champion in the post-Ricky Carmichael era.
Langston is a former AMA Motocross Lites - then called AMA 125 Motocross- champion, and is thrilled with the unexpected turn of events that led to him being the series leader going into the final round.
“When James [Stewart] got hurt, it just blew things wide open,” he said, referring to the Kawasaki ace who was leading the series when he injured his knee at Washougal, “Did I expect to be leading the points going into the final round? No, not really. I was sixth in the championship four rounds ago. It's been quite a jump - but I'm excited to be in the position I'm in.”
Langston has momentum on his side, having won the overall in the last two AMA events in Delmont and Wortham, and is looking forward to one of his favourite venues.
“I like Glen Helen,” he continued, “I've always done well there. I'm definitely looking forward to it and, hopefully, I can finish this off and win a championship.”
Short had an excellent opportunity to close the gap on Langston in Texas last Sunday, but fell in the second moto and had to settle for a third overall. In spite of this, Short is only eight points back with 50 points on the line at the finale.
“I left it all on the table in Texas,” Short said, “I was pretty disappointed about tipping over. That kind of mistake gives me a lot of motivation to go and do well at Glen Helen.”
