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NEWS
Rutledge triumphs in AMA debut
Aussie Kawasaki pilot Meghan Rutledge claimed a moto win in her US debut, at the first round of the 2012 AMA Women's Motocross ChampionshipReigning Australian Women's Motocross Champion Meghan Rutledge has made a stunning AMA debut in the USA, winning the second moto in round one of the AMA Lucas Pro Oils Women's Motocross Championship, held at Hangtown, Sacramento (California), on Saturday, May 19.
After qualifying third at Hangtown, Rutledge got away nicely in the first moto before a crash relegated to the back of the field -- she fought back to finish in eighth place.
A similarly pleasing start in the second moto saw Rutledge fighting hard for the win. It all came down to a final-lap sprint in which Rutledge triumphed, also setting the fastest lap of the race aboard her Kawasaki KX250F.
It was a fairy-tale beginning to Rutledge's US assault.
"I was so excited to race my first AMA race," she said. "The track was prime and I just wanted to get out there and show them the Aussie way!
"I was happy to qualify in third and then it was time to get out there and get it done. I was disappointed to crash in the first race but I was happy with how I rode. I got a good start in the second moto and battled with (Tarah) Gieger for third. Then (Ashley) Fiolek went down, then (Jessica) Patterson, and the next thing I knew I was winning an AMA race.
"Patterson was on a charge behind me and caught me with two laps to go, but I held on to take the win. It was the hardest race of my life but I did it!" Rutledge added.
The 8-1 result put Rutledge in fourth place for the round and the series on 38 points, behind Patterson (44pts), Fiolek (41pts) and Geiger (40pts).
For round two of the championship the action moves to Freestone Raceway in Texas, the event slated for Saturday, May 26.
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Written byBikesales Staff
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