Husqvarna's Anderson breaks through at Anaheim 1
Webb races to convincing 250SX main event victory.
Image: Simon Cudby.
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, saw Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson win his and the brand’s first-ever 450SX Class main event at the season opener tonight.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 45,050 at Angel Stadium, Anderson became the class’ 60th different winner all time.
In a season headlined by the unparalleled depth of talent in the field, six different riders were in position to finish on the podium during the 450SX Class main event.
The 450SX Class race was initially halted by a red flag when Team Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s James Stewart and Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey collided on the second lap. Stewart was unable to line up for the restart.
Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely captured the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award after the restart of the 450SX Class final, while Autotrader/Monster Energy/Yamaha’s Justin Barcia moved into second place in the second turn.
On lap three, Team Honda HRC’s Trey Canard and Dungey collided and Dungey went down, remounting in seventh place. Canard advanced to third place on lap five and then second place. Anderson soon took over third and advanced to second on lap eight.
Anderson passed Seely, who led the first 12 laps of the race, to take the top spot on lap 13. The second-year premier class rider never looked back on his way to a career milestone.
“Honestly, I just felt great out there tonight,” said Anderson on the win. “I was coming through the pack and just made it happen. You work hard to do this as a kid, and it feels great.”
On the race’s last lap, Dungey passed Seely for second place. Australia’s Chad Reed had a solid race on his way to sixth overall on the factory Yamaha, while Lawson Bopping was 21st in the first of six guest appearances.
Image: Simon Cudby.
Defending Western Regional 250SX Class Champion Cooper Webb, who rides for the Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha team, made a statement tonight by winning the class’ opening race of the championship.
Troy Lee Designs/GoPro/Red Bull/KTM’s Jessy Neson opened the final with the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award with GEICO Honda’s Jordon Smith and his teammate Jimmy DeCotis following in second and third respectively.
Webb pulled into third place on Lap 1 before taking over second place on the following lap. While riding in third place, Smith crashed and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne took over third place.
Webb passed Nelson for the lead on lap 10 and rode to the seventh win of his career. It was a positive start to the season for Hayden Mellross (Yamaha), finishing 11th. Countrymen Jackson Richardson and Geran Stapleton didn’t qualify for the final.
2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Round one – Anaheim, California
450SX Class results:
1. Jason Anderson
2. Ryan Dungey
3. Cole Seely
4. Eli Tomac
5. Ken Roczen
6. Chad Reed (AUS)
7. Trey Canard
8. Davi Millsaps
9. Dean Wilson
10. Justin Brayton
21. Lawson Bopping (AUS)
450SX Class championship standings:
1. Jason Anderson 25
2. Ryan Dungey 22
3. Cole Seely 20
4. Eli Tomac 18
5. Ken Roczen 16
6. Chad Reed (AUS) 15
7. Trey Canard 14
8. Davi Millsaps 13
9. Dean Wilson 12
10. Justin Brayton 11
21. Lawson Bopping (AUS) 1
Western Regional 250SX Class results:
1. Cooper Webb
2. Jessy Nelson
3. Zach Osborne
4. Jimmy DeCotis
5. Jordon Smith
6. Alex Martin
7. Colt Nichols
8. Joey Savatgy
9. Mitchell Oldenburg
10. Kyle Peters
11. Hayden Mellross (AUS)
Western Regional 250SX Class championship standings:
1. Cooper Webb 25
2. Jessy Nelson 22
3. Zach Osborne 20
4. Jimmy DeCotis 18
5. Jordon Smith 16
6. Alex Martin 15
7. Colt Nichols 14
8. Joey Savatgy 13
9. Mitchell Oldenburg 12
10. Kyle Peters 11
11. Hayden Mellross (AUS) 21
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