Rutledge takes moto win on debut in USA
Meghan started her USA campaign on the right foot by qualifying her Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green-supplied KX250F in 3rd place. Meghan then secured a 3rd place start in the first moto before crashing on the second lap. Forced to rejoin the race near the back of the field, Meghan was able to claw her way back to 8th place.
After another good start in the second moto, Meghan quickly found herself in 3rd place. From there, she fought hard all the way to a final lap sprint, where she clocked the fastest lap time of the race on her way to the win.
An excited Rutledge said: "I was so excited to race my first AMA race. The track was prime and I just wanted to get out there and show them the Aussie way!
"I was happy to qualify in third and then it was time to get out there and get it done. I was disappointed to crash in the first race but I was happy with how I rode. I got a good start in the second moto and battled with Geiger for 3rd. Fiolek went down, then Patterson and the next thing I knew, I was winning an AMA race. Patterson was on a charge behind me and caught me with 2 laps to go. I held on though to take the win. It was the hardest race of my life but I did it.
"I'd really like to thank Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green for their support. The KX250F they've supplied is awesome."
Meghan's 8-1 results positioned her in 4th place for the round and series. Meghan is now looking forward to the second round of the 2012 AMA Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Freestone Raceway, Texas on Saturday 26 May.
WMX Class Results and Standings - 2012 Rd.1.
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki (2-2) 44
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (1-5) 41
3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (3-3) 40
4. MEGHAN RUTLEDGE, NSW, AUSTRALIA, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN (8-1) 38
5. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda (5-4) 34
6. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda (6-6) 30
7. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda (7-8) 27
8. Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM (11-9) 22
9. Lindsey Palmer, Conifer, Colo., Kawasaki (10-11) 21
10. Hailey Larson, Green Brae, Calif., Honda (9-13) 20
Images - Kawasaki USA
