2013 AMA Supercross Oakland Results
Ryan Villopoto Separates Himself At Oakland Supercross
[caption id="attachment_23109" align="alignright"
width="300"]
Ryan Villopoto won the holeshot, grabbing
an early lead right out of the gate.[/caption]
Ryan
Villopoto took his second straight Supercross win, dominating
the field at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Kawasaki
KX450F rider won the holeshot, grabbing an early lead right out of
the gate and holding on for the remainder of the motorsports
race.
"The points race is what we are going after, and winning the
holeshot gives you a great advantage," Villopoto said. "We made
some changes to the bike today that I think really helped us out
there tonight, so hats off to my team. It is a long season and we
are going to keep plugging away."
Davi
Millsaps was hot on Villopoto's heels for most of the event
before eventually finishing in second place. The Suzuki racer was
able to work his way toward the front of the pack early in the
race, passing Justin
Brayton during the third lap to claim the second position.
Ryan Dungey
earned the final spot on the podium after moving from up from 12th
place to third.
A crash early on held back several key competitors, including
Chad Reed,
James
Stewart and Justin
Barcia - all of whom could have otherwise challenged Villopoto
for the victory.
Rockstar Energy Racing Oakland 450cc Supercross Race Report
[caption id="attachment_23118" align="alignright"
width="300"]
Davi's second place finish was his third
podium in four races and helped him extend his points lead to
seven.[/caption]
Round four of the 2103 Supercross season was held in a very cold
and windy Oakland stadium this past weekend representing the only
Northern California stop of the tour. Rockstar Energy Racing rider
Davi
Millsaps came in with some positive momentum after good rides
at Anaheim 2, including his second successful defense of the
coveted red plate. The track was quite a bit different than any
others thus far this season. It was much tighter and the line
selection in the corners was very important. There was a huge sand
section and the technical aspect was evident as many riders found
themselves on the ground throughout the day.
Running the red plate most certainly puts pressure and a target on
the back of any rider holding the points lead. Part of becoming a
champion however is overcoming the mental challenges that come with
carrying that weight week in and week out. Through the eyes of an
outsider to the sport, it's clear the physical toughness it takes
to become a top Supercross athlete.
What many may not know is how strong a riders mind has to be to
remain focused through the entire duration of a main event on the
most technical tracks in the world. The math may not add up here,
but this is one form of racing that is 100% physical and 100%
mental. Millsaps positively has these traits working to his
advantage. He has held the points lead since the opening gate drop
and seems unaffected by the pressure and adversity he has
experienced in this young season.
[caption id="attachment_23119" align="alignleft"
width="300"]
Davi Millsaps has held the points lead
since the opening gate drop and seems unaffected by the pressure
and adversity.[/caption]
Davi had a bit of a rough day in practice however trying to find
his comfort zone and settle into the very fast pace these guys are
racing at. Once again lap times of the top ten were very, very
close making the start extremely important. Fortunately when it
really counts, Millsaps has consistently stepped up his game. This
week was no different as he easily won his heat race becoming more
relaxed and confident with every lap. When he rounded the first
turn as the main event began, Davi had another great start.
This proved to be extremely important as the pack was consumed in a
huge pile up behind him. Millsaps simply just went to work, riding
a smart race for twenty solid laps and finding himself back on the
podium after just missing it at A2. Davi's second place finish was
his third podium in four races and helped him extend his points
lead to seven over Trey Canard.
Davi Millsaps - "It was a good ending to a day that started off not
that great and I'm pretty excited about it. Pretty cool ride. First
practice and second practice were not that great. Third practice
was better but I was still uncomfortable and not feeling it. Even
in the heat race I was struggling. To come out on the podium,
definitely got my confidence back up. Next week is next week. Going
to take this one step at a time."
Ryan Sipes - "Davi rode great again. He was the only guy on [Ryan]
Villipoto's level and rode smart for a solid second place and still
has the points lead!"
Source: Rockstar Energy Racing
Ryan Dungey Lands On The Podium In Oakland
[caption id="attachment_23116" align="alignright"
width="200"]
Ryan Dungey put his KTM back on the
podium at the fourth round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series
- Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ryan Dungey
put his KTM back on the podium at the fourth round of the Monster
Energy Supercross Series in the 450SX class after fighting his way
from a near last place start to 3rd overall.
Dungey had a great day all around at the O.co Coliseum. He finished
with the fastest lap time in the final practice session of the day
and went on to race in the first heat. In his heat, he earned a 3rd
place start and quickly passed into 2nd. He maintained his pace and
finished in 2nd position to easily qualify in the main event.
When the gate dropped for the main event, Dungey rounded the first
corner in the middle of the pack. As he headed toward the second
corner, Chad Reed
swapped out and crashed taking out multiple riders with him. As the
riders fell around Dungey, his bike got pushed to the outside of
the track. Dungey fell back in position, but luckily, didn't crash
and was able to move around the fallen riders. Although at the back
of the pack, he quickly began to pick up ground. A few laps into
the race he had already moved into the top ten. At the halfway
point he had moved into the top five, and from there, he began to
close on the top three riders. He passed Mike
Alessi to take over 4th position and a lap later moved around
Justin
Brayton to move into a podium spot.
Dungey continued to close the gap on the 2nd place ride of
Davi
Millsaps until the final lap. Dungey crossed the finish line
just a few bike lengths behind him to claim his second podium of
the season. Dungey's speed was definitely evident to all who
watched him in Oakland and his determination to get back up front
landed him a podium spot. Now four rounds into the season, Dungey
sits 4th overall in the point standings.
Next Event: Anaheim III - February 2, 2013
Source: KTM North America
James Stewart Unlucky At Oakland SX
[caption id="attachment_23115" align="alignright"
width="300"]
James Stewart continued to show courage
and unflagging determination when he was once again faced with
simple, old-fashioned bad luck[/caption]
Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's James
Stewart continued to show courage and unflagging determination
when he was once again faced with simple, old-fashioned bad luck at
round four of the AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championships at O.co
Stadium in Oakland, California on Saturday night.
In true Championship-winning fashion, Stewart started race day on a
high note by posting the fastest qualifying time on his Yoshimura
Suzuki RM-Z450. In his heat-race, he overcame a rough start and
then picked-off the competition to finish an impressive second.
"I felt fast all day and my knee was feeling better," said Stewart
of the injury he's nursed since round one. "In the heat race I got
a mid-pack start, but I worked my way into second. We made a couple
of changes to the RM-Z450 in between the heat races and the Main
Event and it just felt good; the track felt better and I felt
better. I was actually really looking forward to racing
tonight."
In the 450 class Main Event, however, Stewart fell victim to a
turn-two crash caused by another rider. Overall, the pile-up
claimed four riders and although Stewart attempted to get back into
the fray, a stuck throttle forced the disappointed racer to call it
a night.
[caption id="attachment_23114" align="alignleft"
width="300"]
Although James Stewart attempted to get
back into the fray, a stuck throttle forced him to call it a
night.[/caption]
"I got a bad start in the Main but made some great passes in the
first turn and whoop section," said Stewart. "Then in that second
corner, a rider got out of control and cut another guy off and they
pile-drove me pretty good and I hurt my knee again. Eventually I
got up and went to jump the triple and landed, and my throttle was
stuck. It was one of those races. I have to give it up to the
Yoshimura Suzuki team though and all the fans for their support.
I'm disappointed but right now it's all about just being here. The
real reason I'm still here racing is because I love doing it.
Whether I'm winning or finishing 16th every week, I'll still be
here because I love racing."
Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's next event is the fifth round of
the 2013 AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championships on Saturday
February 2nd, when they return to Anaheim's Angel Stadium in
California for the third and final time this year.
Source:
Team Suzuki
Ken Roczen Wins In Oakland
[caption id="attachment_23112" align="alignright"
width="200"]
Ken Roczen took his first win of the 2013
Monster Energy Supercross West 250SX Series - Photo: Simon
Cudby[/caption]
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ken Roczen took
his first win of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross West 250SX
Series at the O.co Coliseum in front of a packed Northern
California crowd.
Following the pattern of the previous rounds, Roczen turned the
fastest lap time in the afternoon practices and went on to take his
heat win. His victory in his heat marked his fourth straight heat
win so far this season.
In the main event, Roczen rounded the first corner in third
position. He quickly moved around fellow KTM rider Joey Savatgy
to move into second on the first lap. Shortly into the race, Roczen
began to close the gap on the lead ride of Cole
Seely. As they approached the finish line jump, Roczen made a
mistake that caused him to land on an inside tuff block which
launched him straight into the face of the finish line jump. Roczen
completely came off the bike as he rolled over the jump but managed
to stay in control of his bike to hop back on and maintain second
position.
"I almost lost the race when I made a mistake on that finish line
jump," stated Roczen. "Luckily, I was able to stay on the bike and
I was able to quickly recover and get back in the race."
From there out, Roczen made no mistakes and slowly closed the gap
on Seely. With three laps to go, Roczen made a pass to take over
the lead and went on to win his first race of the season. Roczen's
win in Oakland gives him enough points to take over the
championship point's lead. As the point's leader, Roczen will run
the red number plate backgrounds when the riders race the next
event in Anaheim, CA on February 2, 2013.
Source: KTM North America
Rockstar Energy Racing Oakland 250cc Supercross Race Report
[caption id="attachment_23111" align="alignright"
width="300"]
Jason Anderson felt like Oakland owed him
one after last year.[/caption]
Rockstar Energy Racing riders came into this round with some
positive momentum after many good rides at Anaheim 2. Jason
Anderson felt like Oakland owed him one after last year.
Just as Jason was building some steam in what appeared to be his
first career podium in the waning moments of the main one year ago,
he was hit hard from behind putting him down. He sustained a leg
injury that hampered him for the next few weeks until he nearly won
in Salt Lake City.
Anderson found himself suffering from a cold this year, but
qualified the best he ever has in practice putting up several
impressive times. In his heat race, he was involved in a first turn
altercation that put him in the back of the back. The last time
that happened, he had to line up for the LCQ. Jason does not want
to be in that position.
Then suddenly he was all the way up to third in just a few quick
laps! That gave him a quality gate pick going into the main.
Anderson has been fast all year but just needed to put all the
pieces together including the start. Jason did just that with one
of his best starts of the season followed by fifteen mistake free
laps. As the checkers waved closing out the 250 main, Anderson put
Rockstar Energy Racing on the box in third, setting the stage for
the team's first ever 250/450 podium night.
[caption id="attachment_23110" align="alignleft"
width="200"]
Jason Anderson set the stage for Rockstar
Energy Racing's first ever 250/450 podium night.[/caption]
Jason Anderson - "This weekend was good. I came into the race a
little sick and was just trying to salvage the day, but it ended up
being my best weekend so far. I'm happy with that, so just ready to
build on that heading into next weekend."
Ryan Sipes is
still recovering from the crash he was collected in last week.
Being the team player that he is however, he came out to support
the team any way he could. He watched all the practices, talking
about lines and lap times through the radio to the rest of the
team. Perhaps one day Ryan will make a good team manager! Sipes is
hoping to be back fighting for podiums when the series heads south
to San Diego.
Ryan Sipes - "I thought the night went really well for the team.
Jason rode a solid race for third. It looked like he finally got a
good start and just rode comfortable out there. Definitely
something to build on. I'm ready to get back out there and mix it
up in the front with those guys. My hand is getting better everyday
so it's just a matter of time."
Source: Rockstar Energy Racing
Oakland Overview And Point Standings
2013 AMA Supercross Oakland Image Gallery (Click for full size images)
Overall Results - Supercross Class: 20 Laps
- Ryan Villopoto: 18:56.872
- Davi Millsaps: +10.197
- Ryan Dungey: +13.040
- Trey Canard: +22.297
- Mike Alessi: +32.353
- Andrew Short: +34.442
- Matthew Goerke: +35.339
- Broc Tickle: +38.634
- Vince Friese: +43.689
- Justin Brayton: +46.785
- Jimmy Albertson: +49.350
- Chad Reed: +51.930
- Kyle Chisholm: +1:04.121
- Les Smith: -1 Lap
- Robert Kiniry: -1 Lap
- Joshua Grant: -1 Lap
- Cedric Soubeyras: -1 Lap
- Matthew Lemoine: -2 Laps
- James Stewart: -19 Laps
- Justin Barcia: DNS
Point Standings - Supercross Class ( Race 4 of 17 )
- Davi Millsaps - 85
- Trey Canard - 78
- Ryan Villopoto - 77
- Ryan Dungey - 68
- Chad Reed - 65
- Andrew Short - 56
- Jake Weimer - 47
- Justin Brayton - 42
- Justin Barcia - 41
- Matthew Goerke - 39
- James Stewart - 38
- Joshua Grant - 37
- Broc Tickle - 35
- Kyle Chisholm - 30
- Mike Alessi - 25
- Vince Friese - 24
- Weston Peick - 22
- Kevin Windham - 21
- Matthew Lemoine - 16
- Jimmy Albertson - 12
Overall Results - Supercross Lites West Class: 15 Laps
- Ken Roczen: 14:10.389
- Cole Seely: +05.596
- Jason Anderson: +19.034
- Martin Davalos: +22.545
- Malcolm Stewart: +29.461
- Joey Savatgy: +29.957
- Kyle Cunningham: +32.789
- Austin Politelli: +34.099
- Christian Craig: +35.501
- Zach Osborne: +38.237
- Tyla Rattray: +39.082
- Travis Baker: +41.275
- Jessy Nelson: +43.361
- Chris Plouffe: -1 Lap
- Jean Ramos: -1 Lap
- Josh Cachia: -1 Lap
- Kade Mosig: -1 Lap
- Killian Rusk: -2 Laps
- Jake Canada: -5 Laps
- Eli Tomac: -10 Laps
Point Standings - Supercross Lites West Class ( Race 4 of 9 )
- Ken Roczen - 91
- Cole Seely - 80
- Eli Tomac - 76
- Zach Osborne - 58
- Jason Anderson - 52
- Kyle Cunningham - 49
- Martin Davalos - 48
- Christian Craig - 47
- Malcolm Stewart - 45
- Tyla Rattray - 45
- Jessy Nelson - 38
- Joey Savatgy - 38
- Ryan Sipes - 31
- Austin Politelli - 26
- Max Anstie - 26
- Travis Baker - 23
- Jake Canada - 21
- Michael Leib - 16
- Josh Cachia - 12
- Jean Ramos - 10
