By Jon Row
A-1 is always one of the most anticipated and hyped events of the Monster Energy Supercross season. The off season testing, changes and improvements to men and machines all get their first test - and the unexpected has come to be, well…expected.
2010’s changes to teams, riders and new age budget environment made A-1 even more capable of delivering surprises and it certainly did...
Supercross Lites
The Lites class graduated a lot of talent to the 450s this year but is still full of fire with a great roster of seasoned riders ready to take on each other and the new challengers.
Jake Weimer won the fastest heat and led every lap of the main event on his Monster Energy/ Pro Circuit Kawaski. It was no cakewalk though as Rockstar Suzuki’s Ryan Morais and hard charging Trey Canard’s Geico Honda, were tucked in close behind. Canard got by Morais after nine laps but it was too late to catch Weimer. Blake Wharton Geico Honda and Wil Hahn TLD/Lucas Oil Honda took 4th and 5th with surprise heat winner Broc Tickle 6th on the DNA Shred Stix/Star Yamaha.
Supercross Heat 1
Honda Red Bull’s Davi Millsaps got his year started well by pulling the holeshot and leading the first and fastest heat wire to wire while fending off 2nd place Ryan Dungey’s Rockstar Makita Suzuki. Chad Reed’s first Monster Energy Kawaski SX start was sub par but he inherited third place after a spectacular get off launched Dan Reardon’s Motoconcepts Yamaha completely off the track and into the entrance tunnel. Reardon was unable to ride the Last Chance Qualifier and will be lucky to not have serious injuries.
Supercross Heat 2
Austin Stroupe Rockstar Makita Suzuki, got a great start and led the first lap until James Stewart and his L&M Racing/San Manuel Yamaha took over. Team Honda Red Bull’s Andrew Short and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto were also able to run down Stroupe to claim 2nd and 3rd at the line.
Supercross Main Event
Most fans expected a high-pitched Reed-Stewart battle. What they didn’t expect was Ryan Dungey to lead the first seventeen laps of his 450 class debut. Dungey nailed the holeshot with Villopoto and Stewart in tow and made James work hard to catch up. The much anticipated Reed-Stewart duel was thwarted on the first lap when Reed tangled with Stroupe. A footpeg found its way into Reed’s front wheel taking out enough spokes to end Chad’s ride. Stewart meanwhile took ten long laps to get by Villopoto and eight more to catch and pass Dungey. Although not looking completely comfortable on the new Yamaha, James opened up a two second lead but Dungey dug deep and challenged right back on the heart pounding final lap.
The crowd was on their feet as the two were side by side almost half the last lap before Stewart found some added steam. Dungey still had good momentum but momentarily lost traction, and a final shot to repass Stewart just two turns from the end. Although denied the top spot, Dungey’s overall performance impressed everyone.
Perennial crowd favorite Kevin Windham put in an inspired ride on his Geico Powersports Factory Connection Honda taking 3rd after working his way past hard riding Andrew Short in 4th and Villopoto in 5thh.
More surprises are likely in store next Saturday Jan 16th as the series heads to Chase field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Source: Bikeland.org
A-1 is always one of the most anticipated and hyped events of the Monster Energy Supercross season. The off season testing, changes and improvements to men and machines all get their first test - and the unexpected has come to be, well…expected.
2010’s changes to teams, riders and new age budget environment made A-1 even more capable of delivering surprises and it certainly did...
Supercross Lites
The Lites class graduated a lot of talent to the 450s this year but is still full of fire with a great roster of seasoned riders ready to take on each other and the new challengers.
Jake Weimer won the fastest heat and led every lap of the main event on his Monster Energy/ Pro Circuit Kawaski. It was no cakewalk though as Rockstar Suzuki’s Ryan Morais and hard charging Trey Canard’s Geico Honda, were tucked in close behind. Canard got by Morais after nine laps but it was too late to catch Weimer. Blake Wharton Geico Honda and Wil Hahn TLD/Lucas Oil Honda took 4th and 5th with surprise heat winner Broc Tickle 6th on the DNA Shred Stix/Star Yamaha.
Supercross Heat 1
Honda Red Bull’s Davi Millsaps got his year started well by pulling the holeshot and leading the first and fastest heat wire to wire while fending off 2nd place Ryan Dungey’s Rockstar Makita Suzuki. Chad Reed’s first Monster Energy Kawaski SX start was sub par but he inherited third place after a spectacular get off launched Dan Reardon’s Motoconcepts Yamaha completely off the track and into the entrance tunnel. Reardon was unable to ride the Last Chance Qualifier and will be lucky to not have serious injuries.
Supercross Heat 2
Austin Stroupe Rockstar Makita Suzuki, got a great start and led the first lap until James Stewart and his L&M Racing/San Manuel Yamaha took over. Team Honda Red Bull’s Andrew Short and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto were also able to run down Stroupe to claim 2nd and 3rd at the line.
Supercross Main Event
Most fans expected a high-pitched Reed-Stewart battle. What they didn’t expect was Ryan Dungey to lead the first seventeen laps of his 450 class debut. Dungey nailed the holeshot with Villopoto and Stewart in tow and made James work hard to catch up. The much anticipated Reed-Stewart duel was thwarted on the first lap when Reed tangled with Stroupe. A footpeg found its way into Reed’s front wheel taking out enough spokes to end Chad’s ride. Stewart meanwhile took ten long laps to get by Villopoto and eight more to catch and pass Dungey. Although not looking completely comfortable on the new Yamaha, James opened up a two second lead but Dungey dug deep and challenged right back on the heart pounding final lap.
The crowd was on their feet as the two were side by side almost half the last lap before Stewart found some added steam. Dungey still had good momentum but momentarily lost traction, and a final shot to repass Stewart just two turns from the end. Although denied the top spot, Dungey’s overall performance impressed everyone.
Perennial crowd favorite Kevin Windham put in an inspired ride on his Geico Powersports Factory Connection Honda taking 3rd after working his way past hard riding Andrew Short in 4th and Villopoto in 5thh.
More surprises are likely in store next Saturday Jan 16th as the series heads to Chase field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Source: Bikeland.org