Laying down the law – and fast lap times – with Officer James Stewart in San Diego…
JGRMX Yamaha’s James Stewart missed out on another podium finish at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego last Saturday when the former champion crashed through the tricky whoops section of the course that entertained round six of seventeen in the AMA Supercross series (also an FIM World Championship).
Stewart recovered from a mid-pack start in the 20 lap main event to make several sharp overtaking moves and force his way to third place. It was on the sixth circulation when the slip occurred, and a crowd of 58, 782 spectators saw the Floridian hit the ground luckily without injury. Stewart was actually able to remount and although a lap down reached the flag in fifteenth for a few points.
“We had a good practice and I had an OK start in the main – top ten somewhere – I made my way up and got into third place and ended up going down in the whoops,” he recounted after the final Californian stop on the calendar. “I don’t know what happened, I was just riding and doing my thing. I was on my head so quick. I was stuck under the bike – completely stuck on something. I was trying to pull it off, and finally a guy pulled his knife out and cut me out and I got going. A little bit frustrating but we will go back and keep on working. I appreciate all the fans sticking behind us. We’ve got a lot of races left so we will continue getting better.”
Reigning Champion Ryan Villopoto rode to his second win in succession and heads the standings. Stewart is fourth and 32 points in arrears.
