Alex and Jeremy become the first siblings to finish 1-2 in series history.
By Hayden Gregory
The first 250 moto kicked off with a holeshot to youngster Tristan Charboneau closely followed by the Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha trio of Alex Martin, Cooper Webb and Jeremy Martin. Proving round one was no fluke; Alex Martin quickly passed Charboneau into the lead before opening up a nice gap on the field.
Cooper Webb and Jeremy Martin soon also passed Charboneau as Alex’s lead continued to grow. On lap seven the two chasing riders collided causing Jeremy to fall to the ground, losing third place to Austin Forkner. Webb was able to stay on two wheels and set his sights on Alex as lappers began to hinder the leader’s run.
Webb’s charge proved strong and he was able to slowly reign in Alex Martin as the moto progressed. As the deficit reduced, Webb was able to stalk Martin and make the pass, going on to take his first victory of the motocross season. Alex Martin held on for second place while the rookie Forkner landed his first career podium. Jeremy Martin finished fourth with points leader Joey Savatgy back in ninth.
In the second moto, Jeremy Martin got the pick of the starts ahead of Jessy Nelson and Forkner. The top three stabilised themselves for the first half of the moto before Forkner came crashing down and out of contention on lap seven.
Nelson and Alex Martin moved into second and third respectively with Alex needing to make one more pass to clinch his first career round victory. Out in front Jeremy Martin rode confidently to take victory in the second moto, while his brother Alex made the winning pass on Nelson for second place on lap ten.
A 2-2 result handed Alex Martin a one point edge over his brother to claim his first career overall victory in his 83rd start. A second place by Jeremy locked in the first ever 1-2 finish for siblings in the series. Cooper Webb would round out the podium in third place (1-4) for a Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha sweep.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time. Its’ my sixth or seventh season and to get an overall win that far into it is pretty rare,” said Alex Martin. “To come out swinging [at the opening round] was awesome, but I wanted to back it up. That was my thought all week. As happy as I am today I don’t want to get too ahead of myself. It’s a long season and I want to take it moto by moto so I’m there at the end [in the battle for the championship].”
A seventh place finish for Savatgy also gave Alex Martin the red leader’s plate. He now tops the standings two points over Webb and a further three points back to Savatgy. Defending champ Jeremy Martin sits in fourth.
The 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship continues next Saturday, June 4, with the True Value Thunder Valley National at Colorado.
250 Class (Moto Finish)
Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha (2-2)
Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha (4-1)
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha (1-4)
Austin Forkner, Richards, Mo., Kawasaki (3-5)
Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha (5-6)
Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM (13-3)
Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki (9-7)
Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna (8-8)
RJ Hampshire, Hudson Fla., Honda (6-11)
Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Husqvarna (14-9)
250 Class Championship Standings
Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha – 79
Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha – 77
Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki – 76
Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha – 75
Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha – 63
Austin Forkner, Richards, Mo., Kawasaki – 58
Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM – 57
Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna – 45
RJ Hampshire, Hudson Fla., Honda – 41
Tristan Charboneau, Tenino, Wash., Honda – 36
Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 36
