U.S. Riders Sweep Away Competition

The Toyota World Supercross championships came to the United States for the first time since starting in 1990 and American riders made the most of it.

Ezra Lusk, Larry Ward and Jeremy McGrath made it a one-two-three finish Saturday in the second round of the world championships before an estimated 18,000 at the Rose Bowl.

France’s David Vuillemin moved a step closer to his first world title by finishing fourth, just ahead of Jeff Emig. Because neither Lusk nor Ward competed in the first world round in France, and McGrath crashed and ended out of points, Vuillemin extended his lead with one round remaining--next Saturday in Leipzig, Germany.

Lusk, who moved to a new home in Lake Elsinore earlier this week, stormed off the line on his Honda and beat the 18-rider field to the first turn, never losing his lead in the 20-lap final. Ward, on a Kawasaki, was closing late but lost his chance when Lusk took advantage of lapped riders.

“I tried to be as consistent as I could, I didn’t want to make any mistakes,” Lusk said. “I wanted to run real smart. We’re happy. I was nervous trying to get by some of the slower riders because you never know . . . what they’re going to do.”

McGrath, the six-time national Supercross champion, was fifth on his Chaparral Yamaha early, but after passing Emig and Vuillemin, he never seriously challenged the two leaders.

Vuillemin has 33 points to 26 for Emig, winner of the U.S. Open last month in Las Vegas, and 25 for Mickael Pichon of France, who finished ninth. The overall world champion will receive $100,000.