Image: Octopi Media.

Former champion Jason Anderson stood on top of the Monster Energy Supercross podium for the first time since joining Kawasaki in 2022, winning the Oakland 450SX main event tonight as Christian Craig went back-to-back in 250SX West.

The first couple of laps were led by the fast-starting Adam Cianciarulo, before teammate Anderson had moved his way from third into the lead and stayed there for the duration.

It was new Red Bull KTM recruit Aaron Plessinger who went on the move next and climbed into the runner-up position, but Anderson was able to remain composed at the head of the pack to control things in P1, topping Plessinger and new red plate-holder Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – who also went a tear in the middle stages – on the podium.

Finishing fourth was fastest qualifier Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) after climbing from eighth on lap one, with Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) next in line – both coming from well outside the top 10 early on.

Defending champion Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) started 14th and never really got going to his standards for seventh, with Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM), Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) who stalled in the later laps, and Dean Wilson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) the top 10.

Cianciarulo eventually faded to 12th behind Joey Savatgy (Team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS), while Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) was knocking on the door of the top-five when he went down early on, plummeting to 16th and then working his way back to 13th by race’s end.

In terms of the points, it’s now Barcia who has taken over atop the standings, three points clear of Anderson and Webb, who are tied two rounds in. Plessinger is two further back in P4, as Roczen dropped to fifth tonight.

Image: Octopi Media.

Red plate-holder Craig extended his advantage in 250SX West at Oakland’s second round of 2022 Monster Energy Supercross, once again controlling the main event.

There was no denying Craig consecutive wins, delivering another commanding ride to once again finish ahead of Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) and Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki).

It was Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda who led across the line on lap one, before Craig took charge soon afterwards and powered away at the front by 5.698s – Shimoda’s night unravelling when he stalled and then went down in the whoops while in P2 on lap three.

Lawrence was patient in working his way to the podium, eventually passing Hammaker on lap 11 and that’s how they would stay in positions 1-2-3.

Fourth came Michael Mosiman (TLD Red Bull GasGas) after making his way by Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) mid-race, with Friese next in line for sixth position. Shimoda finally crossed the line in seventh, as Marchbanks, Blose and Wageman in eighth through 10th places.

Leading into San Diego’s third round of 2022 Monster Energy Supercross next weekend, the unbeaten Craig now has an eight-point lead over Lawrence and Hammaker.

Detailed results