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Kawasaki Racing Team rider James Stewart came to the Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP in Toronto a changed man and sent a message to the Supercross elite that he is back in business. The young upstart arrived with a new racing number (#7) to symbolize a new beginning and gave a stellar performance aboard the all-new KX(TM)450F to win his first-ever Supercross GP race.
Stewart began the evening by capturing the holeshot and the victory during his eight-lap qualifying heat. He carried the momentum straight into the main event where he earned his second holeshot award and led the first three laps before crashing in turn one. Stewart quickly regrouped and spent the next 14 laps reeling in leader Ricky Carmichael. The pair swapped the lead several times before Stewart outwitted the defending series champion during a turn and quickly checked out. He crossed the finish line with nearly a five-second led over Carmichael and 13 seconds over Chad Reed.
"I felt comfortable tonight," said Stewart. "My 450F gave me all the power I needed to get to the front after I went down. I caught a rock and my front wheel washed out, it wasn't a big deal, I knew I could get back up front. I knew the fans really wanted a race, and that's what I came here to do. If you have your butt kicked last year by this guy (Carmichael), you would come ready to race too."
Although Stewart was openly enthusiastic about his first win, he was also decidedly subdued in his attitude regarding the rest of the season. He is very clear that his goal is to win both the World and AMA titles. "I'm not going to get caught up in sending a message just yet," he explained. "I want to keep riding smart and win. Kawasaki's got me back in focus and I am going to try harder to learn and stay healthy so I can keep winning."
Stewart's teammate Michael Byrne rode an exceptional heat race on his Kawasaki KX450F, finishing fourth to qualify for the main event. The affable Australian also had an amazing start during the main event and put in 20 solid laps to earn a sixth place finish.
The Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP Series moves on to the Place Stadium in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, December 10th for the second round of the 17-event series.
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