2015 Anaheim 2 Supercross Preview | Roczen Leads Dungey

2015 Anaheim 2 Supercross Preview

Two rounds are already complete in 2015 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the series returns to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., for the second of three races held there this year.

Leading the points battle is the Anaheim 1 winner, RCH/Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Factory Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. The 2014 AMA Motocross Champion was beat last weekend in Phoenix by GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac, but Roczen’s second-place finish kept him in the lead.

As the series heads this weekend to round three, Roczen has a nine-point lead over his former teammate, 2010 Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey. The Red Bull KTM SX-F 450 pilot finished fourth at A1, and third in Phoenix.

Unlike A1 where he led all 20 laps, Roczen came under much pressure in Phoenix. The German lead until lap 8, when he was passed by Tomac. From there, Tomac piloted his CR450F with precision, eventually taking the win by a 6.4-second margin.

Tomac desperately needed the win, also, considering he had troubles in A1, where he finished 20th.

“That was one of the (most fun) races of my life and to come away with a win is a cherry on top,” says Tomac. “To beat a guy like Ken (Roczen; we respect each other and race each other hard. It’s just great. We definitely put our biggest effort into this [after last weekend’s misfortunes], and this is what he came out here to do.”

But much pressure will arrive from Roczen, who won the past two season opener’s held there. He spoke of Phoenix and his outlook for A2:

“I got off to a fast start but overall I didn’t feel the greatest on Saturday,” says Roczen. “I put it down the first 10 laps (or so), but then Eli got me. He rode better than me, but I’m very happy to have finished on the podium. We’ll do some work this week and come out next weekend looking to get a good start, ride smart and come away with another good result.”

At Phoenix, the only past champion competing beside TwoTwo Motorsports Chad Reed – Dungey – held third for most of the race. But he was passed by Autotrader.com/Toyota/Yamaha’s Weston Peick on lap 17, and had to settle for fourth.

In the 250SX class, Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/KTM’s Jessy Nelson, who won the season opener in Anaheim, leads the way over Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Cooper Webb.

During last year’s 450SX Class Main Event in Anaheim, Discount Tire Racing/TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed scored his first win of the season and his fourth-ever win in Anaheim. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Cole Seely won his first race of the season, which gave him a surge of momentum that ultimately carried him to earning second place in the championship.

Reed and Jeremy McGrath are tied on the all-time 450SX Class win list with eight apiece. Ivan Tedesco holds the all-time 250SX Class win record with five.

2015 Anaheim 2 Supercross Preview Fast Facts:

• Eli Tomac became the 58th different 450SX Class race winner. Only 10 times in Monster Energy Supercross history has a first time winner followed their first-ever win with a win.
• KTM or Husqvarna have never won the second race in Anaheim, can Anderson or Dungey give these brands their first-ever win?
• There have been five different riders to make the 450SX Class podium, #WhosNext?
• The winner of the opening race in Anaheim has gone on to win the second Anaheim seven times, can Roczen make it eight?
• Chad Reed can tie Jeremy McGrath on the all-time start list with 172 this weekend.
• Roczen and Nelson have never held the points lead in their respective racing divisions; can they extend it this weekend?

2015 Anaheim 2 Supercross TV Schedule:

Fox Sports 1 will air 2015 Anaheim 2 Supercross at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET Saturday, January 17. Live coverage will also be available on the authenticated FOX Sports Go app.

2015 450SX Class Season Standings (after two of 17 rounds):

1. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki, 47
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 38
3. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna, 37
4. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda, 33
5. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 32
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 30
7. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 26
8. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha, 25
9. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 22
10. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., 22
11. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 22

2015 Western Regional 250SX Class Season Standings:

1. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM, 45
2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 39
3. Tyler Bowers, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 38
4. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Husqvarna, 36
5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM, 33
6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha, 32
7. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM, 28
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 23
9. Zach Bell, Cairo, Ga., Husqvarna, 22
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki, 20
11. Michael Leib, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 20