Joined Mar 2005
57 Posts | 0+
Algonquin, IL
A great Midwestern Spring day greeted the AMA Supermoto paddock for the first round on Saturday May 19th at the first ever Live Nation promoted Supermoto event in St. Louis. The day would only get better for the Husaberg Racing Team, as it was clear that all the off-season preparations were paying off, and that the fast sweeping St. Louis course was ideal for the big Husaberg FS650’s. The end result: Robert Loire got his and Husaberg’s first ever podium finish with a 2nd place finish, and teammate Mike Bergman followed him home with near career best 8th place.
From the start of practice it was evident that the big Husaberg engines were going to be key down the front straight, which was one of the longest ever used in AMA Pro Supermoto competition. The Factory Connection suspension was working flawlessly through the technical dirt section, the new Beringer Brakes were letting them run with confidence deep into the corners, and the Michelin tires were sticking like glue around the fast sweeping pavement.
In the new heat race qualifying format for this year, both Mike and Robert lined up for heat #1 alongside the Factory Husqvarna’s of David Baffleuf and Gary Trachy, Factory Aprilia of Darryl Atkins, Factory KTM of Brian Capper, and many other top privateers. Robert showed a preview of what was to come, following only Baffleuf across the line at the finish giving him his first ever front row start for the main event. Mike put in an equally impressive ride bringing his Husaberg across the line 5th and earning a spot on the inside of the third row for the main.
As the main event got underway with the usual bumping and banging that makes the AMA Supermoto series so exciting, Robert got a good jump, but a near high-side, and a short Superman impression saw him cross the finish line at the end of the first lap in 6th place. Robert made quick work of the Factory KTM’s of John Lewis and Brian Capper as well as GP Husqvarna’s French import Xavier Bellerphon to move into 3rd at the end of lap 2. From there he continued to chase Baffleuf and Aprilia’s Ben Carlson until the mid-point of the race when Baffleuf pulled out with a mechanical issue. Robert continued the chase on the reigning AMA Unlimited Champion and fellow Wisconsin resident Carlson, but could not match his pace, crossing the line nearly 12 seconds behind, but clear of 3rd place rider Josh Chisum (riding a borrowed KTM). This was by far Robert’s best AMA finish (topping his previous career best of 4th place), and he did not hide his enthusiasm on the podium, making full use of the Champaign to spray the assembled crowd.
From Mike’s 3rd row starting position, he was able find an opening around the outside of the pack in turn one and came around the first lap in 9th. Mike put in a great performance on the increasingly slippery pavement, running as high as 6th place by mid-race. Late in the race the Husky of Bellerphon was able to sneak by after an early race incident, putting Mike in 8th at the finish. Mike’s finish was significant, not only in that it was 1 place off of his career best, but it puts 2 Husaberg’s in the Top 10 of an AMA Pro event for the first time in history.
All-in-all, it was a great opening weekend for the team, and the Husaberg’s again ran flawlessly. We know it is a long season, and there is a lot of work to do, but with the help of all our sponsors, you can expect to see this kind of result from Robert and Mike throughout the season.
We would once again like the thank all our sponsors: Husaberg, Michelin Tires, Beringer Brakes, Factory Connection Suspension, Wiseco, Loire Racing, JMS Performance, Troy Lee Designs, MXWebsites.com, Dixie Sales, and Aero P.A.
Mike would like to thank his personal sponsor: Tunguska Blast
If there are any individuals or companies out there that are interested in hearing about the exposure you can receive by becoming a sponsor of our team, please contact team owner Greg Loire: [email protected]
From the start of practice it was evident that the big Husaberg engines were going to be key down the front straight, which was one of the longest ever used in AMA Pro Supermoto competition. The Factory Connection suspension was working flawlessly through the technical dirt section, the new Beringer Brakes were letting them run with confidence deep into the corners, and the Michelin tires were sticking like glue around the fast sweeping pavement.
In the new heat race qualifying format for this year, both Mike and Robert lined up for heat #1 alongside the Factory Husqvarna’s of David Baffleuf and Gary Trachy, Factory Aprilia of Darryl Atkins, Factory KTM of Brian Capper, and many other top privateers. Robert showed a preview of what was to come, following only Baffleuf across the line at the finish giving him his first ever front row start for the main event. Mike put in an equally impressive ride bringing his Husaberg across the line 5th and earning a spot on the inside of the third row for the main.
As the main event got underway with the usual bumping and banging that makes the AMA Supermoto series so exciting, Robert got a good jump, but a near high-side, and a short Superman impression saw him cross the finish line at the end of the first lap in 6th place. Robert made quick work of the Factory KTM’s of John Lewis and Brian Capper as well as GP Husqvarna’s French import Xavier Bellerphon to move into 3rd at the end of lap 2. From there he continued to chase Baffleuf and Aprilia’s Ben Carlson until the mid-point of the race when Baffleuf pulled out with a mechanical issue. Robert continued the chase on the reigning AMA Unlimited Champion and fellow Wisconsin resident Carlson, but could not match his pace, crossing the line nearly 12 seconds behind, but clear of 3rd place rider Josh Chisum (riding a borrowed KTM). This was by far Robert’s best AMA finish (topping his previous career best of 4th place), and he did not hide his enthusiasm on the podium, making full use of the Champaign to spray the assembled crowd.
From Mike’s 3rd row starting position, he was able find an opening around the outside of the pack in turn one and came around the first lap in 9th. Mike put in a great performance on the increasingly slippery pavement, running as high as 6th place by mid-race. Late in the race the Husky of Bellerphon was able to sneak by after an early race incident, putting Mike in 8th at the finish. Mike’s finish was significant, not only in that it was 1 place off of his career best, but it puts 2 Husaberg’s in the Top 10 of an AMA Pro event for the first time in history.
All-in-all, it was a great opening weekend for the team, and the Husaberg’s again ran flawlessly. We know it is a long season, and there is a lot of work to do, but with the help of all our sponsors, you can expect to see this kind of result from Robert and Mike throughout the season.
We would once again like the thank all our sponsors: Husaberg, Michelin Tires, Beringer Brakes, Factory Connection Suspension, Wiseco, Loire Racing, JMS Performance, Troy Lee Designs, MXWebsites.com, Dixie Sales, and Aero P.A.
Mike would like to thank his personal sponsor: Tunguska Blast
If there are any individuals or companies out there that are interested in hearing about the exposure you can receive by becoming a sponsor of our team, please contact team owner Greg Loire: [email protected]
