Desalle had early clocked the quickest lap time in practise and looked comfortable around the rather slick and technical Washougal circuit. The GP rider surprised the AMA regulars with his speed and endurance.

"It was my dream to race at this event and I felt good in that first race," Desalle mentioned. "I don't know what I do next year, maybe in Europe or maybe in America."

In the championship race it was Australian Chad Reed who impressed with 1-1 results and the Suzuku rider is now miles ahead in the points race as he begins to prepare for his appearance a the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations in October. Reed has a 65pt lead over second placed Josh Grant (who also looks likely to be coming to the MXoN) and a further five points over third placed rider Andrew Short.

Also impressive in Washougal was another Australian Jake Moss who finished sixth in the opening moto, and battled with Reed early in the second moto, Moss is now a serious contender for the Australian team at the Motocross of Nations, and with Michael Byrne fifth in the AMA 450cc points race the Aussies have a huge chance to win the MXoN for the first time in history. Add the name Brett Metcalfe and the Aussies look very strong.

The 250cc class and American rider Ryan Dungey (who looks a sure thing for Team USA) also looks strong as he finished first overall with 1-5 results, while American teenager and former World Junior Champion Blake Wharton finished second overall, with former World MX2 Champion Christophe Pourcel came back from a disappointing opening moto with a victory in the second moto for third overall. Dungey and Pourcel are now equal in points in the championship battle.

British riders Tommy Searle and Max Anstie claimed great results with Searle going 6-6 for sixth overall and Anstie 9-9 for ninth overall. Searle will of course line up at the Motocross of Nations for Team Great Britain, while Anstie (for some reason) isn't on the team list.

With four rounds to go it's going to take a big effort from Grant and Short to pull back the lead of Reed, while Dungey and Pourcel continues to battle out the 250cc title. Lets hope we see both the AMA 450cc and 250cc Champions arrive at the Motocross of Nations fit and ready to lead their country to victory.

Of the top ten from both 450cc and 250cc classes it looks nearly sure that half of those riders will compete at the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, set for Italy on October 3 and 4. This years MXoN might just be one of the most competative in years.

450cc points

Moto 1 Results 1. Chad Reed 2. Tommy Hahn 3. Clement Desalle 4. Matt Georke 5. Josh Grant 6. Jake Moss 7. Andrew Short 8. Jimmy Albertson 9. Justin Brayton 10. Jason Lawrence

Moto 2 Results 1. Chad Reed 2. Josh Grant 3. Jason Lawrence 4. Michael Byrne 5. Jarred Browne 6. Nick Wey 7. Davi Millsaps 8. Justin Brayton 9. Ben LaMay 10. Jimmy Albertson

450 Overall 1. Chad Reed 1-1 2. Josh Grant 5-2 3. Jason Lawrence 10-3 4. Justin Brayton 9-8 5. Michael Byrne 15-4 6. Jimmy Albertson 8-10 7. Nick Wey 13-6 8. Tommy Hahn 2-38 9. Ivan Tedesco 11-11 10. Clement Desalle 3-25

450 Point Standings 1. Chad Reed 337pts 2. Josh Grant 272pts 3. Andrew Short 267pts 4. Ivan Tedesco 258pts 5. Michael Byrne 207pts 6. Tommy Hahn 171pts 7. Cody Cooper 157pts 8. Justin Brayton 152pts 9. Nick Wey 149pts 10. Mike Alessi 142pts

250cc results

Moto 1 Results 1. Ryan Dungey 2. Kyle Cunningham 3. Blake Wharton 4. Brett Metcalfe 5. Darryn Durham 6. Tommy Searle 7. Broc Tickle 8. Christophe Pourcel 9. Max Anstie 10. Jake Weimer

Moto 2 Results 1. Christophe Pourcel 2. Jake Weimer 3. Blake Wharton 4. Brett Metcalfe 5. Ryan Dungey 6. Tommy Searle 7. Justin Barcia 8. Broc Tickle 9. Max Anstie 10. Darryn Durham

250 Overall 1. Ryan Dungey 1-5 2. Blake Wharton 3-3 3. Christophe Pourcel 8-1 4. Brett Metcalfe 4-4 5. Jake Weimer 10-2 6. Tommy Searle 6-6 7. Broc Tickle 7-8 8. Darryn Durham 5-10 9. Max Anstie 9-9 10. Kyle Cunningham 2-34

250 Point Standings 1. Christophe Pourcel 337pts 2. Ryan Dungey 337pts 3. Brett Metcalfe 251pts 4. Tommy Searle 243pts 5. Jake Weimer 215pts 6. Justin Barcia 210pts 7. Broc Tickle 199pts 8. Blake Wharton 198pts 9. Tyla Rattray 175pts 10. Trey Canard 139pts