Contact:
Miki Keller
Women's Motocross Association
(541) 223-8375
www.wmaracing.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Geiger Tops the Podium at Thunder Valley

Round 4 WMA Championship Results

Bend, OR (July 24, 2007) – Round four of the AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship presented by Kawasaki was held Saturday, July 21st at Thunder Valley MX, Lakewood, CO. After a month break from the WMA Championship Yamaha/Etnies Girl/Answer Racing rider Tarah Gieger went 2-1 for the overall win and is now trailing Jessica Patterson by one point in the championship.

Photo:  Steve Bonnau

In moto one Thor MX’s Vanessa Florentino got the Girlyz holeshot and avoided the first corner melee where Honda of Houston/Bad Boy Energy Drink’s Jessica Patterson and Yamaha’s Sarah Whitmore tangled up, as did Kawasaki’s Tania Satchwell and Damzl Fuel’s Meika Cornelius. Patterson’s hand got caught under the rear wheel of Whitmore’s bike and was injured. Patterson was unable to finish the moto. Meanwhile, Sherri Cruse and FMF’s Ashley Boham were battling for the lead with Girlyz/Toyota rider Alisa Nix in hot pursuit while Gieger was moving up behind her.  Cruse slid out in a corner. Boham now had the lead but a lap and half later she made a mistake in the sandy wet track. Nix took over the lead and had a flawless ride from that point on. Gieger rode a steady 2^nd place, Zoolo/Fox Racing’s Mariana Balbi took 3^rd, Elizabeth Bash finished in 4^th while Satchwell worked her way back up to 5^th. Whitmore worked her way back up to 9^th from the first corner crash.

Photo:  Steve Bonnau

Photo:  Steve Bonnau

Anticipation was building between motos as it was uncertain if Patterson would be able to ride. However, at the sighting lap of moto two, the champion was on the line. When the gate dropped Zip Ty Racing’s Sherri Cruse got the Girlyz holeshot and was closely followed by Gieger, Nix, Boham, and Florentino. Cruse dropped back to third just near the finish line. Patterson got a poor start and was working her way through the back half of the pack. Gieger and Nix got by Cruse near the end of the first lap and began to check out. Nix was staying with Gieger but went down hard and dislocated her shoulder taking her out of the race. By lap four Patterson had moved her into second but Tarah’s lead was just too great. The real back and fourth battle was for third place between Kawasaki teammates Eilzabeth Bash and Tania Satchwell that in the end saw Satchwell claiming 3^rd.

Photo:  Steve Bonnau

The overall went Gieger, Satchwell, and Bash.

Patterson retains the lead in championship points, revised from an earlier posting, after clarification with AMA Sports regarding a scoring rule change from 2006 to 2007 (page 48, Scoring 3.c).

Top Ten Pro Results:

1          68         YAM     Tarah Gieger                  Vero Beach, FL                         2-1
2          105       KAW    Tania Satchwell             Rancho Cucamonga, CA            5-3
3          33         KAW    Elizabeth Bash              Riverside, CA                             4-4
4          5          HON     Mariana Balbi                Brazil                                        3-5
5          75         HON     Vanessa Florentino        Edgewood, NM                          7-7
6          12         HON     Ashley Boham               Loveland, CO                             11-6 
7          517       SUZ      Taylor Miller                   Alabaster, AL                            6-11 
8          4          YAM     Sarah Whitmore             Cheboygan, MI                          9-10 
9          31         YAM     Alyssa Weaver              Falcon, CO                                12-8 
10         627       HON     Lindsey Jelitto               Falcon, CO                                8-13

Top Ten Points Standings:

WMA is sponsored by Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A, Girlyz Clothing Co, Honda Riders Club of America, Drill Tech Drilling, RAM Rick Albert Machinery Hyundai Dealership, VP Fuels, Dunlop Tires, Polisport, Powermadd, Alpinestars, Hitachi, Thor MX Gear and ZLT Racing.

Next event: July 28^th at Washougal MX, Washougal, WA

For additional information on race events and schedules, please visit www.wmaracing.com or www.womensmxassociation.com