His own back yard

Steve Giberson, Photo courtesy Steve Giberson

Alex Martin

Last update: July 15, 2009 - 11:34 PM

Alex Martin was born in 1989. His parents, John and Greta, had started Spring Creek Motocross Park near Millville, Minn., a year earlier.

"You could say I've been around motocross my whole life, since our house is right under the 'whoops,'" Martin said.

The whoops are the mounds that are close together and are jumped in doubles or triples. Alex started riding a motorcycle at age 4 -- with the goal of racing around his parents' course against other high-flying dirt bikers.

A year ago, Martin made his professional debut in the Lucas Oil Nationals on his home course. The AMA Motocross Series is back in Millville this week -- with the pro qualifying and finals on Saturday -- and Martin, 19, will be competing for the first time as a member of the Honda team sponsored by Geico Power Sports.

"I had been racing as a 'privateer,' with help from my parents," he said. "It's a big boost to get picked up by Geico Power Sports. I was riding a Honda before, but this helps a lot. Factory teams have some parts that were unattainable ... kind of hard for a privateer to afford."

Martin competes in the 250 Class, as does Ryan Dungey, another 19-year-old who learned to ride in the countryside near Belle Plaine. Dungey is among the stars for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team.

"We used to practice together," Martin said. "He's a friend of mine, but at events like this ... Ryan's more of a rival than anything."

Dungey won the first 250 moto in the most recent AMA event at Red Bud in Michigan. He stands a tight second to Christophe Pourcel in the points standings -- trailing 255-246. The leader in the 450 class heading into this weekend is Chad Reed, another member of the Makita factory team.

PATRICK REUSSE

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