2011 AMA Supercross
Red Bull KTM Factory Team rider Andrew Short earned a decent score at the opening round of the AMA Supercross Series with a 10th place result.
His teammate, Mike Alessi finished a few positions back in 14th. However, the most impressive part of the night will be awarded to the KTM 350 SX-F which debuted in it’s first-ever AMA Supercross competition with both factory riders easily qualifying into the main.
Consistency was the word of the day for Short as he qualified 10th fastest in both of his timed Supercross practice sessions and ended his evening with a 10th place result in the main.
Both KTM riders Short and Alessi were placed into the second heat of the Supercross class. Short started seventh around the first corner with Alessi back in 11th. Short maintained his pace throughout the eight lap heat and remained in seventh to easily qualify into the main event.
Alessi picked up his pace in order to secure a few more spots working toward the ninth place final qualifying spot. That spot happened to be held by his brother Jeff Alessi.
After following his brother for a few laps Alessi was able to make the pass for the final transfer spot on the last Supercross lap.
Mike Alessi (KTM Supercross) says: "I had to make an aggressive pass on my brother to get into the main event, but that’s part of racing."
When the gate dropped for the main event it was Alessi up front early. Alessi rounded the first turn in third position aboard the KTM 350 SX-F.
Short did not have as good of a jump but still managed a top ten start rounding the first turn in ninth place. After a few battles within the first lap Alessi had dropped back to seventh and Short to 10th.
Mike Alessi says: "I didn’t have the pace of the top few guys tonight and I fell back quite a few positions from my good start."
Alessi continued to hold off hard-charging riders for the first half of the race before he fell further off the pace.
Mike Alessi says: "I need to work on my fitness and prepare myself for longer races. I just returned from Australia where we were racing 5 to 6 lap mains and my conditioning is not where it needs to be to run inside the top ten."
Alessi eventually finished 14th overall.
Short dropped as low as 12th early in the race after a few mistakes but kept it together and continued to charge forward.
On the fourth lap, Short passed his teammate Alessi to regain 10th and began to look ahead. He spent the remaining laps of the race closing in on the ninth place ride of Josh Grant but was unable to gain the position before the checkered flag.
Andrew Short (KTM Supercross) says: "I struggled tonight. I felt off earlier in the day and wasn’t able to get to a point where I was riding where I knew I could. I am just glad to get the first round out of the way and am looking forward to an improved result in Phoenix."
Next Race: Phoenix Supercross – January 15, 2011
Anaheim AMA Supercross Overall Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Ryan Dungey
3. James Stewart
4. Trey Canard
5. Chad Reed
6. Kevin Windham
7. Ivan Tedesco
8. Brett Metcalfe
9. Josh Grant
10. Andrew Short – KTM
14. Mike Alessi – KTM
