2016 AMA Supercross San Diego 1 Race Results

Ryan Dungey Victorious in San Diego; Jason Anderson Penalized

[caption id="attachment_57504" align="alignright" width="300"] Dungey got his first win of the 2016 season as well as the points lead - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

In front of a crowd of 36,825 at Petco Park, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, made its first of two visits to San Diego for the second race of the 2016 season on Saturday night. Following a runner-up finish at the opening race a week ago, Red Bull KTM's Ryan Dungey returned to the top step of the podium for his first win of the year, taking over the points lead in the process. In the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship, defending champion Cooper Webb earned his second consecutive Main Event win aboard his Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha with a come-from-behind effort.

The 20-lap 450SX Class Main Event started with Monster Energy/360fly/Chaparral/Yamaha Factory Racing's Chad Reed edging out BTO Sports/WPS/KTM's Justin Brayton for the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award, with Smartop MotoConcepts Racing's Vince Friese in tow. Dungey placed himself just outside the top three, but was soon sitting third after Reed got shuffled back to fourth. Brayton and Friese battled for the lead on the opening lap, but on Lap 1 Dungey seized control of the Main Event and took over the top spot. Reed fought his way back into podium contention and was able to pass Brayton for second on Lap 2.

On the third lap, RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing's Ken Roczen threw his name into the mix, coming from a sixth-place start to grab third. However, Roczen crashed on the ensuing lap and dropped to 10th, allowing Brayton to once again run third briefly before giving way to Team Honda HRC's Cole Seely. The top three stabilized for the majority of the race, with Dungey and Reed opening a sizable gap over the rest of the field. On Lap 15 the battle for third heated up between Seely and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Jason Anderson, last week's winner and entering points leader. The two riders traded positions before Anderson took control of the spot on Lap 17 following a pass in which he and Seely made contact.

[caption id="attachment_57497" align="alignleft" width="300"] The 450SX Class has two different winners in two races - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

Reed kept Dungey honest throughout the entirety of the Main Event, but the defending champion took the win after leading all but one lap for his 23rd career 450SX Class win and his first ever victory in San Diego.

"It was a good night. I got off to decent start and as able to pick my way up to front," said Dungey. "Chad [Reed] was on my heels the whole time, so I couldn't make a big mistake, although I made a few little ones. It feels good to get the win and move back into the points lead. That's the plan [coming into the season] and it's working [so far]."

Reed finished in the runner-up spot for the 128th podium result of his career and his first since rejoining the Factory Yamaha effort for the 2016 season. It was his best result since winning in Atlanta last season, nine races ago.

Anderson was initially credited for third, but was later penalized by race officials for jumping during a red cross flag situation for a downed rider that requires riders to keep wheels on the ground. The two-position penalty dropped Anderson to fifth, ultimately giving third place to Seely.

[caption id="attachment_57502" align="alignright" width="300"] Anderson (left) was initially credited with third, but was later penalized and dropped to fifth - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

"That was exciting the way it ended up [on the track]," said Anderson on the podium, prior to the penalty. "I had to dice it up with Cole [Seely] there at the end, but I'm happy to put the Husqvarna back on the podium. I was pretty far behind [off the start] and had to make some moves. It was a little chaotic out there, so I just need to do better and make things easier on myself next weekend."

With Anderson's penalty, Dungey's advantage in the 450SX Class standings sits at six points over the Husqvarna rider. Seely is third, seven points behind Dungey and one point behind Anderson for second.

The 15-lap Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event got underway with GEICO Honda's Jordon Smith emerging from the first turn to capture the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award. As the field settled in, Smith's GEICO Honda teammate Jimmy DeCotis, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Joey Savatgy and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Zach Osborne battled for podium spots, while Webb was forced to battle from eighth. DeCotis soon crashed out of the top three, allowing Osborne to take over second and Savatgy third.

[caption id="attachment_57501" align="alignleft" width="300"] Webb has back-to-back wins to start 2016 - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

On Lap 5 Osborne got inside Smith after the whoops and took over the lead. At about the same time, Webb was completing the pass on Savatgy for third after a torrid run to the front. Just two laps later Webb moved into second with a pass on Smith and set his sights on Osborne out front. The following lap, Savatgy moved back into a podium spot with a pass on Smith for third. Osborne kept Webb at bay for a few laps but on Lap 11 the reigning champion made the winning pass with an aggressive move. Once out front, Webb pulled away while Osborne would crash out of second on Lap 13, allowing both Savatgy and Smith to take over second and third, respectively.

Webb took his second win at Petco Park, and the eighth win of his career, ahead of Savtagy in second. Smith earned the first podium finish of his career in third.

"I got another bad start unfortunately, but it was awesome to come through pack like that," said Webb, who has won six straight Main Events dating back to last season. "I had great battle with all the top guys since they were up front. I hope all the fans enjoyed that battle. It was a great night. I'm glad to be back up here and I'm looking forward to the rest of the year."

Webb extended his early season points lead in the Western Regional 250SX Class Standings to 14 points over Smith. Savatgy and Osborne currently sit tied for third, 15 points out of the lead.

Source: Supercross Live

2016 AMA Supercross San Diego Highlights

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tnXpiMg9IPk&list=PLS9EW4D0HArmTIFa3ws2HWBNUKZRhjHnX

Ryan Dungey Wins at Petco Park

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ryan Dungey took the win at the second round of the AMA 450 Supercross Championship held at Petco Park to take over the points lead.

Dungey had a phenomenal day starting with the afternoon practice sessions where he earned the fastest qualifying time. That momentum trickled into his heat race where he pulled a great start and easily took the heat win to earn a top spot on the main event line-up.

His teammate, Dean Wilson, also had a great heat. Wilson earned a second place start off the gate drop and passed BTO KTM rider Justin Brayton for the lead. He held on to the front spot and went on to take the heat win.

The third member of the team, Marvin Musquin, was unable to transfer from his heat and went to the semi. Musquin got a good jump in the semi race to put his KTM up front early on. He finished that race in 2nd place to take a transfer position.

[caption id="attachment_57506" align="alignleft" width="200"] Ryan Dungey - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

In the main event, Dungey was 3rd off the start while Musquin and Wilson were around mid-pack. Musquin pushed hard in the second half of the moto and was able to move up to 9th place by race end to earn a top ten finish in only his second 450 race. Unfortunately, Wilson struggled in the main and fell back a few spots from his starting position to finish 15th overall.

Meanwhile, Dungey wasted no time making passes and moved into second by the end of the first lap. On lap two, he was able to move around Brayton to take over the lead. Once out front, Dungey rode a smooth race to the finish to easily take his first victory of the season.

"I'm really excited to get the red plate back," stated Dungey on the podium. "But, it's a long season and this is just the second race. I just have to keep plugging away and do my work to keep up here for the long haul."

Next Race: Anaheim, CA - January 23, 2016

Source: KTM North America

Troy Lee Designs' Cole Seely Continues Podium Streak in San Diego

[caption id="attachment_57503" align="alignright" width="200"] Cole Seely - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

Troy Lee Designs rider Cole Seely made it to the podium for the second consecutive race as he continues to impress during his run to finish third overall on the night. For the first time this season, the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge took to the track with young rider Enzo Temmerman - who was also running the No. 14 - taking the hard-fought win over Chase Carr and Brazen Dever.

For the second week, Seely qualified straight into the Main Event from his heat, where only four riders advance. With a good gate pick for the main, Seely got out to a solid start in seventh, but made quick work of the riders in front of him. He made it up to third by the fifth lap and continued to ride smooth, fast laps throughout the remainder of the race. He was eventually passed, but at the conclusion of the race, another rider was docked position for jumping on a cross and third place was awarded to Seely.

"I felt really good during the race and thought that I was capable of getting on the podium," said Seely. "I would like to have crossed the finish in third, but I'll take the spot. We're sitting really well in the points and can't wait to go back to Anaheim. I seem to do well there and hoping I can get back on the box."

Seely sits third in the standings just seven points out of first.

[caption id="attachment_57489" align="alignleft" width="300"] 2016 KTM Junior Supercross San Diego 1 Podium - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

The fan-favorite KTM Junior Supercross Challenge made its return in San Diego with young riders from around the globe lining up for their chance to test their skills on the same track as the pros. Decked out in their Troy Lee Designs GP Air Youth Starburst Flo Orange Racewear with Youth Air Glove, Carr got out to the early lead over Temmerman, but by Lap 2 it was all Temmerman who got by Carr and eventually took the checkered flag. Carr held on for second and Dever rounded out the podium in third.

Seely will attempt to keep his podium streak alive as the series makes its final stop at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California on January 23.

Seely wore the SE Air Starburst White/Navy Racewear and the SE Reflection White/Red Helmet. See more of the 2016 gear sets and the 2016 Moto Helmets online and at your local TLD retailer.

Source: Troy Lee Designs

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Rider Joey Savatgy Second in San Diego

Monster Energy® Kawasaki's Eli Tomac and Wil Hahn came into the second race of the of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship season in San Diego feeling confident after a successful week of testing. At the gate drop of the Main Event, Tomac found himself mid pack showcasing his determination to race his KX450F into the top five by the half way point of the race. In the remaining laps, Tomac would fight to push forward, crossing the line in fourth, matching his result from last week. In similar fashion to his teammate, Wil Hahn showed his true grit as he raced through the last chance qualifier to earn his spot in the Main Event. Hahn rode consistently strong laps in the Main Event and improved on last weeks' result.

"Overall I feel that the team and I improved, even though we had the same end result as last week," said Tomac. "My weak point tonight was the starts, which are crucial on a track like this where everyone is very close and passing is difficult. I rode strong for all 20 laps, which showed as I made my way through the field. We're not far off and we'll be on the podium soon enough."

"I improved all weekend," said Hahn. "Both the bike and I felt strong leading into this weekend as we made some great changes during the week. I couldn't be happier with the team and everything they do, I just need to put it all together."

With the nerves of the season opener in the rear view mirror, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki was looking for a strong finish this weekend at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Joey Savatgy rode fast and confident early in the night, claiming his first 250SX heat win of the season while Chris Alldredge transferred straight into the Main Event by taking seventh in his heat. In the 250 main, Savatgy had another first of 2016 grabbing the holeshot on his KX250F. Savatgy rode hard and battled with multiple riders until the penultimate lap where he would settle into second place, remaining there until the checkered flag. Alldredge rode with a lot of heart, battling back-and-forth throughout the Main Event, despite an injury sustained in practice, crossing the line in 10th.

"My night was pretty good," said Savatgy. "I had a great Heat Race, and earned my first heat win of the season, then in the main I backed that up with a holeshot. I tangled up with a couple riders right (which "line?" off the gate, first turn?) and bumped around a little bit the first few laps, which slowed me down. Overall it was a good night, we finished second and are poised to win. The speed is there, we're really strong out of the gate and we're up front where we need to be. I think next weekend will be good, I'll have a good practice week at the farm, work on some things I need to work on and come out swinging for next weekend."

"Practice could have gone better for me," said Alldredge. "I seemed to be a step behind on the rhythm sections but still managed to qualify ninth. In the heat I did not have the start I wanted but I pushed hard and rode smart to come home seventh. In the main I felt good for the first half of the race, until I made a small mistake and stalled my bike. From that point on I just tried to ride clean and not make any more mistakes, and ended up 10th. It's not where I want to be when I know I have the team and bike to finish stronger."

Source: Kawasaki Racing

Jordan Smith Takes His First Podium at San Diego SX

[caption id="attachment_57499" align="alignright" width="300"] Jordon Smith - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

The GEICO Honda supercross team ran at the front all of the pack all night at the second Monster Energy Supercross race of the season, at Petco Park in downtown San Diego. While some of the riders bounced through ups and downs, second-year pro Jordon Smith held steady to score his first career podium with third place in the 250SX West class.

It was a particularly satisfying result since Smith had shown speed before, only to have his results undone by bad starts or crashes. This time he showed the full package, leading the race early and riding consistently throughout.

"My day went really well, I'm so happy," said Smith, of North Carolina. "Felt comfortable all day throughout practice and into the night show. My GEICO Honda pulled me to a really good start, and I was able to get out front early. Last week I got to experience racing toward the front, and I got to do that again here and learn how to lead. I tried to ride my own laps, but I got a little tight in the middle of the moto. Just learning. I went back to third, but I'm happy I was able to pull it back together and got a strong podium! Overall it was a great night and now I can't wait for Anaheim 2!"

[caption id="attachment_57491" align="alignleft" width="300"] Christian Craig - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

Teammate Christian Craig followed Smith in fourth, which is a career-best result for him as well. Coming into the season, Craig generated some buzz with quick times at the test track, and he brought that speed to San Diego, even topping defending 250 West Region Champion Cooper Webb to grab top honors in the first timed qualifying session.

"Last week was not me, I rode tight," said Craig to the fans after topping to the qualifying session. "This is where I want to be: up front."

Craig and Webb diced for top qualifying time again in the second timed session, with Webb just edging him. Craig then holeshot his heat race and began to pull away from the field, until he crashed, dragging him back to sixth. In the main event, he overcame a bad start to net fourth, but again feels he got tight, and didn't quite show his full game.

"In the main, I got a terrible start, but I tucked to the inside in the first turn. I don't know where I came out, but it was toward the front," Craig said. "Rode around, got tight around lap five and started making a lot of mistakes. I wasn't happy with that, but I held on, got fourth. It's a career-best for me, but I want to get on the podium, and I'm not going to be happy until I get there. Other than that, though, it was a good night."

[caption id="attachment_57492" align="alignright" width="200"] James Decotis - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

Looked like it was going to be a good night for Jimmy Decotis, too, who was right behind Smith early in the main, putting the GEICO Hondas in first and second in the early laps.

"Today the result was not good," said Decotis, who ended up falling down and settling for eighth. "I felt really good all day riding wise, I was getting the sections down good and I was strong in the whoops. I was really looking forward to the main event, and I put myself in a good position off the start, right behind Jordon in second. I made a bobble and washed the front, came back through the pack. Overall, I felt like I rode really good all day, and I had strong points. I think I'm starting to believe I'm one of those guys and I can be up there every week, so I just need to keep working hard and hopefully it can just snowball from here."

[caption id="attachment_57494" align="alignleft" width="300"] Justin Bogle - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

The night did not end well for 450SX team member Justin Bogle, who won his Semi qualifying race for the second-straight week. But on lap 13 of the 450 main event, Bogle went down after huge triple jump, and got up slowly. He was unable to finish the race.

"The day went okay and I was feeling good," said Bogle. "Was able to get the semi win again which I was pretty pumped on. In the main I got a bad start and was feeling pretty good riding wise before a crash ended my night. That's about all I have to say about the main!"

Bogle is banged up but expected to compete with the rest of the team this upcoming weekend at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

Source: GEICO Honda

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Jason Anderson Finishes 5th at San Diego SX

Zach Osborne Finishes 6th in 250SX

[caption id="attachment_57495" align="alignright" width="200"] Jason Anderson - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

Hot on the heels of a historic victory at last week's season opener at Anaheim's Angel Stadium, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team arrived at this week's race in San Diego with a plan to keep success at the forefront. This was a task easily accomplished with a heat race win coming from Zach Osborne in the 250SX West class, and a fifth-place finish from Jason Anderson in 450SX.

Jason Anderson had the eye of the tiger coming into the second round of the series, held at San Diego's Petco Park, after last week's exciting win in which he earned a place in history as the first-ever Husqvarna rider to win a 450SX main event. Armed with the red plate, he quickly transferred to the main after finishing in qualifying position in the second 450 heat, where we saw a glimpse of the aggressive drive he would display in the main. In the main, Anderson pulled a mid-pack start, but was immediately on the move. The riders in the front of the pack were wheel-to-wheel as Anderson started putting pressure on the top 10. He made the pass for fifth by the fifth lap, and continued to charge forward aboard his Husqvarna FC 450. He started sizing up the top-four by lap seven, and started reeling in a podium position with five laps to go. He made an impressive pass for third with four laps to go, and held strong to the finish. Unfortunately, Anderson was later penalized by race officials for mistakenly jumping during a red cross flag. The two-position penalty dropped Anderson to fifth. He is currently second overall in 450SX rider point standings.

"I didn't have the best gate pick in the main," said Anderson, "but I worked with what I had. It actually wasn't that bad. I just had to push through. I came out ninth or so and ended up third before getting docked so I'm happy. The track was pretty simple, but it was hard to pass on. I had a little double before the finish that I was hitting pretty good so I made up some time there. I made a little contact with Seely. The corners were pretty flat so there wasn't much grip to go anywhere, which made it hard to make a pass."

[caption id="attachment_57490" align="alignleft" width="300"] Zach Osborne - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

Zach Osborne, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's sole 250 rider on the west coast, was in prime position to put himself in the lead in championship points this weekend. With only five points separating himself at third from the overall lead, he knew he had to focus on the task at hand and take advantage of the short gap between third and first. He was looking to start the night in dominant fashion as he got a good start in his heat and made an impressive corner pass in lap three to overtake the lead aboard his Husqvarna FC 250. He held strong to the finish and claimed a heat race win. In the main, Osborne got a top-ten start and was looking aggressive. He moved up to the second-place spot by lap two before overtaking the lead after an exciting pass in the whoops in lap six. He eventually conceded the spot with four laps to go, but was still fighting and swapping positions for the lead before losing traction and going down while coming out of a turn with two laps to go. The sixth-place finish would cause him to move from third to fourth overall in points.

"I had great speed all day and won my heat race again this weekend," said Osborne. "I was really close to winning the main event but slid out on lap 13 and ended up with a sixth. I can't be too bummed, though, because I was close and think a win is in sight."

[caption id="attachment_57493" align="alignright" width="300"] Christophe Pourcel - Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]

Christophe Pourcel showed flashes of brilliance in the first 450 heat before eventually being forced to qualify for the main via the 450 semi where he finished fourth. In the main, Pourcel pulled a top-ten and made his way to fourth before eventually finishing 13th.

"My practice was good, as usual," said Pourcel. "I had speed. It proves I can run in front. I got a good start and learned a lot. I followed the top guys, but got passed a lot. They were a little more aggressive that I was, but I just have to be patient and keep pushing. I can learn a lot this year, which is great for me. The speed is there, but it's been five years since I raced supercross. I just need to race a little more with the rest of the guys and get more aggressive."

Source: Husqvarna Motorcycles