RCH/YOSHIMURA/SUZUKI FACTORY RACING CARRIES FOURTH OF JULY SPIRIT INTO REDBUD
June 30, 2017
CHINO, CA (June 30, 2017) - As the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship approaches the halfway point of the 2017 season and returns to Michigan’s RedBud MX for the series’ traditional Independence Day Weekend race, RCH/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing looks to wave its flag from atop the podium Saturday afternoon.
With five of 12 rounds in the books, RCH riders Broc Tickle and Justin Bogle find themselves fifth and sixth in the championship, respectively. But with only two points between fifth and seventh, both riders know that opportunities to earn points are at a premium..
Tickle, who calls Holly, Mich., home owns a host of professional starts at the sport’s famed Fourth of July Weekend event, including a third-place overall finish last July where he earned an impressive 4-3 afternoon. In eight premiere 450 Class motos, Tickle has recorded a steady 6.8 average finish, highlighted by last year’s third-place result in the second moto. Meanwhile, the rider of the No. 20 Suzuki RM-Z450 has nine total RedBud starts including 250 and 450 Class competition where he’s finished inside the top seven five times.
“I always look forward to RedBud,” commented Tickle. “It always falls right around the Fourth of July and on top of that it’s the best venue on the schedule. It’s somewhat of a home race for me. I’ll have a bunch of friends and family coming out to the track so it’s always fun. I got a podium at RedBud last year so that makes it even more exciting for me this year.”
Bogle owns a pair of 250 Class starts at RedBud where he finished 10th overall in 2013 and ninth a year later. The Cushing, Okla., rider finished ninth last season in his first year aboard a 450 where he collected the Holeshot Award in both motos. In six total motos, including 250 and 450 Class competition, Bogle has logged a 9.3 average with his best moto finish of fifth coming in 2014.
“RedBud is one of those tracks where it’s hard not to get pumped up about the weekend,” said Bogle. “The track is always incredible and the fans are unbelievable. When you think about the Pro Motocross schedule, I think you’d be hard pressed to find another track that immediately comes to mind. The two go hand in hand so it’s always a fun weekend. The vibe is great and the whole environment is really motivating. I’m looking forward to it.”
In last weekend’s Tennessee National, Tickle turned in a solid sixth-place effort in the first moto and fought his way back from an early fall in the second to stay on the lead lap and finish 12th. The gutsy effort allowed him to hang on to fifth in points where he clings to a slim two-point advantage over his teammate and veteran Dean Wilson.
“I need to stay focused, keep grinding and collect as many points as I can,” said Tickle. “My starts have been a lot better this year but I need to start taking advantage of that. I feel like I’m riding better than I ever have. I’ve been working on things that should help me in the beginning. I know I have the fitness and the bike underneath me to be a podium guy. The goal now is to get the maximum amount of points every weekend and put myself in position to ride up to my capability.”
Bogle raced at the front of the field for most of last Saturday’s first 450 Class moto but struggled in the late goings, ultimately fading to 12th before the checkers flew to close out the first half of the day. The rider of the No. 19 Suzuki RM-Z450 rallied in the second moto by winning the holeshot and finishing fifth. By day’s end, Bogle logged a seventh-place overall finish to earn his fifth top 10 of the season.
The 24-year-old 450 Class sophomore continues to hold down the sixth spot in the championship where just two points separate him from Tickle for a spot in the top five.
RCH co-owner Ricky Carmichael has fond memories of RedBud and rightfully so. The 15-time AMA National Champion was unrivaled during his time as a professional and, in 11 starts, boasts nine overall RedBud wins. Even more impressive, in 22 motos over those 11 starts, Carmichael was on top of the box 19 times.
“RedBud is awesome,” commented Carmichael. “The promoters do a great job and the fans are amazing. I can’t think of a better track for the overall fan experience. The sightlines are dynamite and the vibe at RedBud is just something every motocross fan should experience. In my humble opinion, RedBud is one of the best Fourth of July traditions in the country. I had my share of success there and now we’re looking forward to a great weekend for RCH.”
The first moto of Round 6 from the Rockford Fosgate RedBud National will be televised live on MAVTV Sat., July 1 beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 10 a.m. Pacific. Television coverage for the second moto shifts to NBCSN Sun., July 2 at 3 p.m. EDT, noon Pacific
All motos can be streamed live on the NBC Sports Gold app. NBC, NBCSN and MAVTV will combine to provide extensive television coverage over the course of the 12-round season. Capping off each round of the championship will be exclusive one-hour highlight shows on NBCSN, each airing within a handful of days of every National.
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