2016 Oakland Supercross Preview – O.co Coliseum
The 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Championship heads north to the O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., Saturday night for the fourth round of the series.
Leading the way is 72 points is Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey; the Minnesota native has a 13-point lead over Yamaha’s Chad Reed after three of 17 rounds.
During last weekend’s round in Anaheim 2 Supercross, BTO Sports KTM’s Davi Millsaps got out to the early lead in the main event and led four laps before being passed by Dungey. After executing the pass, Dungey put his KTM on cruise control and rode the remaining laps to his second victory of the season.
“I had to charge the first five laps,” said Dungey after his win last Saturday night. “Chad [Reed] was on it tonight, and I know he wanted to get his ninth win here in Anaheim.”
Monster Energy 360Fly/Chaparral/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Chad Reed finished second for the second consecutive weekend, earning his 129th career podium finish. Just 13 points behind Dungey in season standings, Reed looks for the 45th win of his career and first-ever in Oakland this weekend.
“You know, last week, I was happy, and I keep telling myself this year that I want to be appreciative for seconds and just being up on the podium,” said Reed. “But, man, I’m a competitor. I’m a little bummed with that ride. I felt it was a really fun track, a lot of challenges out there with the whoops and the ruts, and I would call that a track that normally suits me. And I struggled; I struggled all day. So, to struggle and not feel 100%, to get a second (place finish), I’m really happy. I think consistency is the key. It takes 17 rounds, and I’m aware of that. We’ll take the little things, and try to build on it for next week.”
RCH/Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns Suzuk Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen rounded out the podium in third place at Anaheim 2 and looks to achieve his first victory of the season in Oakland. The German rider sits sixth in the championship standings after three rounds.
Chasing after the 10th win of his 250SX Class career, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Cooper Webb brings an 18-point lead into Oakland, a city where he has yet to earn a win. Once again, Webb made up for a les-than-perfect start last weekend in Anaheim but found the speed to catch and pass early race leader, GEICO Honda’s Christian Craig on lap 10.
“It was really fun, actually,” said Webb. “I hadn’t had a battle like that in while. We were battling each other back and forth. I was kind of hoping that neither of us would take each other out, and we were allowing Zach [Osborne] to catch us, so, it was almost a three-way battle there for a bit. I’m just pumped with the whole night. All day, I kind of struggled with settings and the track. I went from being one of the slowest guys in the whoops to the fastest in the main. It was just, overall, a good day. To win like this is awesome. I love it!”
After finishing in a season-best second place last weekend, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne sits second in season standings. Looking to build off his sixth-place finish at last year’s race in Oakland, Osborne would like to pick up his ninth-career 250SX Class podium.
Following an eighth-place finish at the season-opening race, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy, who is third in season standings, has finished second and fourth, respectively, in the last two races.
2016 Monster Energy Supercross 450SX Class Championship Standings (after three of 17 rounds):
- Ryan Dungey – Belle Plaine, MN – KTM – 72
- Chad Reed – Dade City, FL – Yamaha – 59
- Jason Anderson – Rio Rancho, NM – Husqvarna – 57
- Cole Seely – Sherman Oaks, CA – Honda – 55
- Eli Tomac – Cortez, CO – Kawasaki – 54
- Ken Roczen – Clermont, FL – Suzuki – 51
- Davi Millsaps – Murrieta, CA – KTM – 36
- Justin Brayton – Mint Hill, NC – KTM – 35
- Jake Weimer – Wildomar, CA – Kawasaki – 33
- Marvin Musquin – Corona, CA – KTM – 31
2016 Monster Energy Supercross Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings:
- Cooper Webb – Newport, NC – Yamaha – 75
- Zach Osborne – Lake Elsinore, CA – Husqvarna – 57
- Joey Savatgy – Thomasville, GA – Kawasaki – 53
- Jordon Smith – Belmont, NC – Honda – 51
- Jimmy DeCotis – Peabody, MA – Honda – 47
- Colt Nichols – Muskogee, OK – Yamaha – 43
- Christian Craig – Corona, CA – Honda – 42
- Kyle Peters – Greensboro, NC – Honda – 36
- Mitchell Oldenburg – Alvord, TX – KTM – 30
- Kyle Cunningham – Willow Park, TX – Suzuki – 28
