When the 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship got underway, all eyes were directed towards the four past champions – reigning champ Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki), Ryan Dungey (Red Bull KTM), James Stewart (Yoshimura Suzuki) and Chad Reed (TwoTwo Motorsports Honda).
But things went in the opposite direction after newly-signed Rockstar Energy Suzuki rider Davi Millsaps took the opening-round win at Anaheim I. It was the 24-year-old Florida native’s first victory in 46 races.
The nine-time AMA National Amateur Champion, who turned pro back in 2005, took hold of the points lead, and never looked back. With a third-place finish at Phoenix, a fourth-place finish at Anaheim II, and a runner-up this past weekend at Oakland, Millsaps has retained the points lead for the first round of 17 in the 2013 AMA Supercross series.
During the Oakland round, Millsaps got a great start on his Suzuki RM-Z450, starting behind the holeshot-winner and eventual winner, Villopoto. After dodging a huge pile up that involved Stewart and Reed, Millsaps rode a smart 20 laps, taking his third podium in four races.
Davi Millsaps (Rockstar Energy Suzuki RM-Z 450 Supercross) says: “It was a good ending to a day that started off not that great and I’m pretty excited about it; a pretty cool ride. First practice and second practice were not that great, but the third practice was better. I was still uncomfortable and not feeling it and even in the heat race I was struggling. To come out on the podium definitely got my confidence back up.”
The series now returns to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., for the third and final time of 2013. If Millsaps can keep up his podium finishes, he will likely be able to retain the points lead.
