Stewart and Hahn break through with Atlanta victories
Yoshimura Suzuki's James Stewart has earned himself his first Monster Energy Supercross 450SX win of the 2013 season in front of a packed house inside Atlanta's Georgia Dome.
James Stewart took a break through win at Atlanta’s round eight of the Monster Energy Supercross series. Image: Simon Cudby.
Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart has earned himself his first Monster Energy Supercross 450SX win of the 2013 season in front of a packed house inside Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
After a disappointing mechanical failure last weekend, Stewart bounced back at round eight with a holeshot in the main event, which he certainly used to his advantage.
While Stewart began to lay down consistent laps, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto slotted into second place. The defending champion lurked behind Stewart for the whole 20 laps unable to advance forward.
As the chequered flag flew, it was Stewart scoring his maiden win of the season, Villopoto taking the runner-up spot and the ultra-consistent series leader Davi Millsaps rounding out the podium for the Rockstar Energy Racing squad.
After an average start, Australia’s Chad Reed was unable to push forward to the lead group and took a sub-par eighth place finish in aboard his TwoTwo Motorsports entry.
Millsaps maintains his 450SX points lead by 22 points over Villopoto after round eight, while Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey sits just four points behind the defending champion in third. Reed holds down fifth place in points, 47 points back from the lead.
The 250SX class saw yet another break through performance with GEICO Honda’s Will Hahn scoring his first-ever Monster Energy Supercross 250SX main event win.
The veteran of the class was on point throughout the night and carried his momentum through to the main event, scoring the holeshot and putting together an impressive 15 laps.
Hahn was followed by series leader Dean Wilson throughout the race, although the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider was unable to bridge the gap and settled for second place on the night.
Behind Hahn and Wilson it was the Frenchman Marvin Musquin who took the third place position on the podium aboard his Red Bull KTM.
Australia’s Jackson Richardson took an unfortunate DNF finish in the 250SX main event, the privateer rider was coming off the back of an impressive 11th place finish last weekend.
Wilson maintains his 250SX east coast points lead, but with his round eight win it is Hahn who has closed the gap to just two points between himself and Wilson. Rockstar Energy Racing’s Blake Wharton sits third overall in points, seven behind Wilson.
The 2013 Monster Energy Supercross series will now head to St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome for round nine on 2 March.
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