As the 2015 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series heads to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, the Red Bull KTM team carries the momentum with wins in Arlington from Ryan Dungey in the 450SX class and Marvin Musquin in the 250SX Eastern Regional division. Both of these riders hold a point leading into Round 8 in the Peach State.
RCH/Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen finished 2nd in Arlington and lost a three points in the championship to Dungey as a result. He now sits 12 points out of the lead. “It was tricky out there,” said Roczen. “I got off to a decent start and made a small mistake early, but I’m happy with a second place. It’s a long, hard season and the championship won’t come easy.”
Team Honda’s Trey Canard came into Arlington looking to pick up where he left off in San Diego, where he achieved the victory, but was grateful to score another podium finish this season. “Overall, I’m happy with my ride tonight,” said Canard. “I was giving it my all and you could tell that both those guys [fellow podium-finishers Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey] were really feeling good today. I didn’t feel especially great all day, so to come away with a 3rd is a nice feeling. I think the nights you’re not feeling your best are the ones you need to capitalize on and get a podium for the points. I mean I’m still a little disappointed because you always want to win, especially when the guys who beat you are ahead of you in points, but it’s a long series. I just need to keep my head down and keep moving forward.”
In the 250SX Eastern Regional Supercross Championship chase, Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin made it clear that he is going to be a title contender this season by taking a commanding win at the opening round. The French rider holeshot the Main and lead all 15 laps. He was unchallenged by runner-up Justin Bogle. “I had a great start then I just did my laps and kept doing what I had to do,” said Musquin, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. “Just being consistent is what it’s going to take and that’s what I’ve been preparing for. I’m just happy to get it [a win] done this early, be here feeling good and healthy, and starting out strong.”
Bogle, riding for GEICO Honda is optimistic about his chances in the back-to-back Atlanta rounds. “”It should be interesting having two races in a row in the same place, and I’m really excited about it because I love the dirt in Atlanta,” he said. “For whatever reason, I just ride real well there, so to have two races is perfect for me. It’s always a sellout, too, which is cool for all of us.” As far as his Arlington performance, Bogle said, “”I got tight with the first-race jitters and that affected my performance in the main just a little bit. I’m past that now and ready to get a win. I didn’t see any mistakes from Marvin and I didn’t feel like I made any, so it should be a great battle all year.”
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy made his debut with his new team to in Arlington by achieving a career-best finish of 3rd place. “I’m really excited to be on the podium,” said Savagty. “During practice I wasn’t really feeling it, but I knew that I could get the most out of my Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki KX250F. After the heat race, I was a little more confident and when I got a good start in the Main Event, I just kept pushing to get on the podium.”
Ken Roczen won his second 450SX Class race of the season as a rookie in Atlanta last year, while Martin Davalos captured his first Eastern Regional 250SX win of his career.
Photography by Simon Cudby
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Standings after 7 of 18 rounds:
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, KTM, 152
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, FL, Suzuki, 140
3. Trey Canard, Edmond, OK, Honda, 129
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO, Honda, 114
5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, NM, Husqvarna, 100
6. Cole Seely, Laguna Beach, CA, Honda, 93
7. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, CA, Suzuki, 86
8. Chad Reed, Dade City, FL, Kawasaki, 85
9. Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, KTM, 82
10. Justin Barcia, Greenville, FL, Yamaha, 71
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Eastern Regional 250SX Standings after 1 of 9 rounds
1. Marvin Musquin, 25 points
2. Justin Bogle, 22
3. Joey Savatgy, 20
4. Jeremy Martin, 18
5. Matt Lemoine, 16
6. Vince Friese, 15
7. RJ Hampshire, 14
8. Arnaud Tonus, 13
9. Martin Davalos, 12
10. Kyle Peters, 11
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