XDL Sportbike Freestyle Championship Hits Mid-Season With Pomona Battle

Text: Randy Grube
Photo: Greg Gallup

Round 3 of the XDL Sportbike Freestyle Championship took place on the hallowed asphalt of the NHRA drag strip, offering the riders some of the best traction of the season. Nick Apex, Bill Dixon and Aaron Colton all scored within one point of each other making for one of the closest competitions in XDL’s young history. The event also marked the halfway point of the 2008 season and slowly a points picture is emerging with at least 8 riders in realistic contention for the championship, including Brocha, Flores, Dixon, Hart, Colton, Emmons, Farris and Niles. But should any of these riders falter, there are another five ready to pounce.

Nick Brocha came in expecting a top 5 after a tough Nashville outing, and bettered his expectations by taking his second win of the year. "I was so disappointed with how I rode at Nashville which was good because then I did what I always do; I get mad, I go home and I ride every day for hours and hours in the 106 degree Vegas heat. So my expectation was to come here and do well." As if winning the main wasn’t enough, Brocha also took Circle Challenge by breaking Andy Niles’s win streak. Said a smiling Nick Brocha: "Any time I make money I’m extatic, but beating Andy Niles in Circle Challenge is something I thought I would never do."

Bill Dixon repeated his solid 2nd place finish from Nashville, putting him in the thick of the points chase. Asked about his expectations for Pomona, he said: "I came here, drove 2,600 miles so I wanted to do well enough to pay for the trip." He did, but it wasn’t easy. "I had a tire problem and I don’t know why’ĶI definitely could have rode better." Dixon added to his paycheck by also taking Target Stoppie by less than three tenths of a second, one of the closest finishes in recent memory.

Aaron Colton took top qualifying honors and with it, the bonus point. In the main event Colton thought he had the competition covered for his first win of the season but ended up a disappointing third. "After qualifying and after riding (my run) I thought I was going to win it." Stated Colton: "I’m not trying to be like a Mladin here or anything and complain about everything’Ķbut when I heard the results I felt like I got royally shafted." Colton filed a protest and video of the run is being reviewed to see if any changes are merited.

Alex Flores, who predicted a Pomona win after Nashville, couldn’t deliver but still leaves tied for first in the championship. "I had a little crash in practice at the spot’Ķbut that is no excuse. I just need to ride harder next time." Said Flores about his finish: "I’m happy with the results. 4th isn’t bad. I’sm still in the points chase." He plans to pull through at Indy: "I’m bringing everything I’ve got. I’m going to train all month and ride my best."

Next up is Indy on September 12th & 13th, the biggest event of the year. All riders will bring their A-game so don’t miss the action. If you are in town for MotoGP, stop by the downtown XDL venue for some hot nighttime sportbike freestyle action. All competitions and demos start after track activities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are concluded and the venue is open until midnight.