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AFTER a three-week break in the 12-round Monster Energy Guam Motocross Championships, the bar-bashing motocross action returned in full force this past Sunday to the Guam International Raceway in Yigo.

After some much needed work on the race track, the course was transformed to a near-perfect condition and with perfect sunny weather, the close high-flying racing in each of the many classes was fantastic.

Taking the Shell V-Power Holeshot award in the Open Motorcycle class was Tim Wenden (31) on his Honda CRF450. In the Open ATV class, Robert Bucek (1) took the award aboard the Cycles Plus Suzuki LTR450. Collin Ray Cruz (6) took the Shell V-Power award for the Kids Mini ATV class with Andrew Ignacio (14) receiving the award in the Kids Mini Bike class.

Open Moto Heat 1

In Heat 1, Tim Wenden (31) aboard a Honda shot out to an early lead in the premier Open Motorcycle class but was overtaken by the Cycle Plus team rider of Caleb Barretto (59) aboard a Kawasaki. Barretto made quick work of Wenden on the first lap and then proceeded to put distance on the rest of the field. Wenden was then under pressure from JR Cepeda (42) aboard the Johnstone Supplies-supported Kawasaki. Cepeda, the current championship points leader who only just turned 15 years old last month, was fast and smooth as he made the move past Wenden for second  by the end of the first lap. Just when it looked like Wenden’s troubles were over, he took a spectacular high-flying spill over the big double to double. Wenden, however, was able to remount and get back into the race, but not before having been passed by five other riders dropping him to eight.

Halfway

By the halfway mark of the heat, Barretto was comfortable in the lead, Cepeda was cruising in second, and Anthony Ignacio (915) aboard a Yamaha had taken over third but was being hounded down by Jacob Einloth (3) aboard his Yamaha and Wenden who was on the gas after his crash. At the checkers was Barretto in first, Cepeda second, Ignacio third, Einloth fourth, and Wenden coming in fifth.

Heat 2

Heat 2 once again saw Wenden jump out to an early lead which he was able to hold for over a lap before succumbing to a tire puncture. This gave Barretto the lead and after a flawless first heat, Barretto took charge and pulled away from the rest of the competition. Cepeda, who has a healthy points lead in the championships, once again cruised in the second-place position seemingly content to let the reigning champ take the round win. Battling for third was the Yamaha duo of Anthony Ignacio and Einloth, with Ignacio holding the third-place position. The two were close at the finish, but Ignacio was able to counter any challenges from Einloth and took third. Barretto sweeps the round, while Cepeda takes second and Ignacio third.

With just three rounds remaining, 15-year-old Cepeda now holds a 24-point lead in the premier Open Motorcycle class over the 2011 champ Barretto, with 405 points to Barretto’s 381.

(Information obtained from a press release.)