INJURY PLAGUES STEWART AT UTAH MX

Aug 20, 2013, 06:05AM. By Bikeland Staff

The first-ever Utah National saw Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's James Stewart turn in 100% effort on Saturday in Tooele, Utah. Despite coming into round 11 of the 2013 AMA Pro Motocross Championships still injured from last week's crashes, Stewart showed his true mettle by qualifying second fastest and running in a podium position.

In the first moto, he got a good start on his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 and slotted into a podium spot within the first few turns. As the 30-minute moto progressed, Stewart continued to fight for a podium finish until about midway through the race, when he encountered a lapped rider and wound-up casing the triple jump. Already suffering from previously incurred injuries, he opted to retire early for the day.

"Practice went pretty good," said Stewart. "I qualified second in both sessions. It's a new track and it felt a lot like a Supercross track. In the first moto, I got a pretty decent start and I made my way into third on the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, then I came around and there was a lapper on the triple step-up and at the last minute I had to change my line because he didn't jump it and I came up short. I have to thank the Yoshimura Suzuki team for all their hard work. It's just a bummer because we had so much momentum going until all this happened. Now I just want to get re-evaluated and see where we stand before the last race."

Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's next race is the final round 12 of the 2013 AMA Pro Motocross Championships on Saturday, August 24th, at the Lake Elsinore National in Lake Elsinore, California.

Check out the Utah "Behind The Scenes Race Report" Video:

2013 Utah MX 450 Results:

1. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
3. Trey Canard (Honda)
4. Weston Peick (Suzuki)
5. Justin Brayton (Yamaha)
6. Justin Barcia (Honda)
7. Jake Weimer (Kawasaki)
8. Phil Nicoletti (Yamaha)
9. Matthew Goerke (KTM)
10. Ben LaMay (Yamaha)

2013 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Standings:

1. Ryan Villopoto - 513
2. Ryan Dungey - 463
3. Justin Barcia - 375
4. Trey Canard - 303
5. James Stewart (Yoshimura Suzuki) - 289
6. Jake Weimer - 244
7. Andrew Short - 238
8. Broc Tickle - 216
9. Josh Grant - 208
10. Mike Alessi - 204

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office