Monster Energy Supercross
A1 Season Opener Observation:
Photos: Scott Hoffman
Like every year before the SX A1 opener, we ask who is gonna win? The defending champ, the dude that was suspended last year for drugs, the old vet, the fast guy who busted up his wings last year while leading the outdoor series, the liked rider who has been through a lot of injuries during his career, or one of the newcomers?
Katoom’s Ryan Dungey had the number one plate so he had to be the favorite. James Stewart has always been super fast but likes to say hi to the ground too often. Saturday night he did not disappoint in that regard, but it really was not his fault. Ken Roczen, who is often fast but his performance Saturday night proved it was not his night. Chad Reed, who most figured 2016 was his farewell season, looked very strong and rode a solid race considering. Honda’s Trey Canard was fast most of the night but kept getting into problems and running off the track was just one of them.
Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson made a little history the other night, not only for himself but also for Husqvarna. Feld has Anderson as the first Husqvarna to win the premier class in a point-paying supercross. Technically Bob Grossi won the Daytona Supercross way back in 1973 but it was considered part of the national motocross series. Gary Semics won the 1974 Texas Supercross but it was not a point-paying event. Semics was also awarded the 1974 500cc Supercross title aboard a Husky but was not considered the premier class.
Needless to say, Anderson was on the gas Saturday night and regardless of the restart after Stewart and Dungey tangled, it was Anderson’s night. From this observer, JA rode his own race and rode loose yet was by far the fastest rider through the woops. Honda’s Cole Seely led most of the race but seemed to tighten up toward the end of the race and lost a few positions but still finished on the box. Dungey was fast but I think Anderson would have taken the win if they both started near the front. Ken Roczen made a decent charge after a bad start but might have been a little banged up after going ass over tea kettle at the start of the heat race.
The series is long and with Stewart down 25 points thus far and guys like Westin Peick suspended for fighting and might miss round two and get fined, you never know who will win. But unless other riders get on their game very fast, Mr. Consistent, Ryan Dungey, will prevail. That is unless Anderson keeps up his prowess and displaces the entire field all season.
The 250 class was no surprise, Cooper Webb was in his own class even though Jessy Nelson led a good chunk of the race. Webb steamrolled his way to the front and once there, made it look too easy. In the West it will be his race to lose.
Now just down the road from the OC, the series heads to San Diego. Another week and the game is reset and you never know who will prevail.
A1 450cc Results
1. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
3. Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
6. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
7. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
8. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
9. Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., KTM
10. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM
A1 250cc Results
1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
2. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM
3. Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna
4. Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
5. Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Honda
6. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
7. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha
8. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
9. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM
10. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda
