Source: Supplied.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac showed he’s still a threat for the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross title with victory in Phoenix tonight, as Australian Chad Reed stole the show on his way to second.

While Tomac stormed away to an 11.817s win, Monster Energy/Yamalube/Chaparral/Yamaha Financial Services/Yamaha’s Reed worked his way into a season-best runner-up result.

On lap one Reed crossed the stripe sixth, before charging forward from there. He made his way past both defending champion Ryan Dungey (Red Bull KTM) and Cole Seely (Team Honda HRC) for second on lap 12 of the 21 completed, before edging slightly into Tomac’s lead.

It was a vital result for both Tomac and Reed at this point of the series, as both have faced challenges in the early stages of the season. Tomac’s now third in the points, 20 away from red plate holder Dungey, while Reed is P7 and 40 points out.

After Reed worked his way by for position, Dungey circulated to another podium in third, while Seely settled into fourth and Davi Millsaps (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) claimed fifth. Second in the points, Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM), was ninth.

In the West Coast 250SX class, the points-race tightened up as Justin Hill (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) made it two wins in a row, ahead of red plate holder Shane McElrath (Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM) and teammate Austin Forkner.

McElrath shot out front early to establish himself at the front of the field, however Hill charged him down in the closing minutes and made his move stick on the final lap. Four points now separate them at the head of the series.

Meanwhile, Queensland’s Dan Reardon (Star Racing/Yamalube/Yamaha) raced to a season-best sixth-place result, placing him seventh in the standings following four rounds.

The 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series will now work its way back to California next weekend for round five of the season in Oakland on 4 February.