NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release
Media Contact Paul Lima, Manager Team GP Husqvarna 1606 G Street San Diego, CA 92101 619-233-4762 paul@gphusqvarna.com
Team GP Husqvarna Podiums Twice at 06 AMA Season Opener
SAN DIEGO, California May 2, 2006 www.gphusqvarna.com, Team GP Husqvarna takes the podium twice at the season opener of the AMA Supermoto Championship at California Speedway in Fontana, California. With riders running in all 3 classes, 250 Lites, 450 and Unlimited, the Husqvarna Team riders had an exceptional qualifying session resulting in a pole-position start in the 250 Lites with Alexandre Thiebault on the 2006 TC 250 Husqvarna (his first race on the bike). Teammate David Baffeleuf was on pole for the Unlimited class riding the SMR 510, and was joined on the front row by fellow team mate, Gary Trachy also on a Husqvarna 510. Race 1 of the double-race 450 class was the first race of the day with Herfoss and Baffeleuf slotting in around 6th and 7th for the start. Herfoss would stall his bike in the race and restart behind Baffeleuf who finished a strong 5th. The 250 Lites races was second on the schedule and an excited Alexandre Thiebault would start from pole position for his first race on the Husqvarna 250, surprising the field with a superb performance from both rider and bike on this, their first outing. Pole position was not the best starting position for me, said Thiebault. It put me on the inside of the corner and the race line was on the outside. The first lap saw Thiebault in second chasing down Honda rider, Cassidy Anderson, who was able to maintain his lead for the duration of the race with Thiebault finishing a strong 2nd. After the race Alex said I think I put a little pressure on myself and I was not in a good rhythm. He went on to say I am very happy to be on the team. They have made a very good bike for me and I know we will have our first win soon. The Unlimited race started with Baffeleuf on pole and Gary Trachy on the front row. Baffeleuf pulled out a small lead on the first lap, only to be stopped for a jump start. He then climbed his way back to second, quickly reeling in the leader, but was struck with poor luck for the second time as an oil leak forced the team to retire him from the race. Baffeleuf said I am disappointed. I know we had the speed to win even with the stop and go. The bike felt great I did not know why the team wanted me to pull off, but it is better to be safe. Baffeleufs team mate Trachy went on to a strong 2nd place finish. The last event was the second 450 race and teammates Herfoss and Baffeleuf both had good starts from the second row and rode well, finishing with similar results to the first race, with Herfoss in 5th and Baffeleuf in 6th. With the first race weekend finished, Team GP Husqvarna sits in 3rd place in the Overall Team Championship, and 2nd in 250, 2nd in the Unlimited, and 5th in 450. The team is looking forward to the next round in June at Elkhart Lake, WI. GP Husqvarna would like to thank its sponsors: Husqvarna USA, GP Motorcycles, Dunlop, FMF, Sidi, Maxima, Beringer Brakes, Vanson Leathers, Vortex Ignitions, Factory Pro Racing, Sunoco Fuels, Star Bar, and Chickenhawk Tire Warmers. ***