Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac claimed his second premier class victory of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at round nine in Washougal, Washington.

It was RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen who took the early lead in moto one followed by Christophe Pourcel, Tomac and Marvin Musquin.

Roczen continued to lead the moto uncontested while behind him his contenders battled it out for the top three positions where it was Tomac who eventually claimed the runner-up spot followed by Musquin in third.

Suffering a late moto crash, French rider Pourcel was unable to finish the race allowing Phil Nicoletti to move into fourth position followed by 450MX rookie Benny Bloss who scored himself a fifth place moto finish.

Moto two saw Roczen again capture the early lead followed by Musquin aboard his factory KTM, Tomac, a returning Dean Wilson and JGR Yamaha’s Justin Barcia.

Tomac worked his way past Musquin and began chipping away at Roczen’s lead, eventually is was Tomac who made the move on Roczen to take the race lead and stretch out a considerable gap on the points leader.

As the chequered flag flew Tomac crossed the line a full 16 seconds ahead of Roczen to claim the moto and overall win on the day. With his 1-2 moto score Roczen claimed second overall followed by Musquin with a pair of third place finishes.

Rounding out the top five overall it was Weston Peick who took fourth with a 7-5 moto scorecard followed by teammate Barcia with 10th and fourth place moto finishes for the day in fifth.

Roczen continues to lead the premier class championship with a 55-point lead over Tomac followed by Musquin in third, Barcia in fourth and Pourcel rounding out the top five.

In the 250MX category it was Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha’s Alex Martin who captured his second overall victory of the season in the tricky conditions.

Martin kicked off his day with the opening moto win ahead of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy, Cooper Webb, younger brother Jeremy Martin and Zach Osborne.

Moto two saw Webb and Savatgy battle for the early lead before rookie Austin Forkner of the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki squad took advantage of their battle and claimed the race lead.

Webb and Savatgy then came together again causing a pile up allowing Forkner to further extend his lead and eventually claim his first ever professional race victory.

Behind him it was moto one winner Martin who crossed the line in second position to claim the overall win with Jessy Nelson, Justin Hill and Aaron Plessinger rounding out the top five.

With a 10-1 moto score it was Forkner who claimed a career-best second overall finish ahead of series leader Webb in third with a 3-6 moto scorecard followed by Savatgy and Hill to round out the top five.

Australia’s 250MX contenders Jackson Richardson and Luke Clout finished outside the top 20 overall with Richardson taking 21st place using 21-15 finishes and Clout taking 24-40 moto finishes for 36th overall.

Webb continues to lead the 250MX championship chase ahead of Jeremy Martin who sits 51 points back with Savatgy in third followed by Alex Martin and Austin Forkner to round out the top five.