2016 Atlanta Supercross Preview
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, heads east to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday night for the eighth round of the series.
While Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey continues to amass one of the most impressive seasons in the history of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, he now has company in RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen.
These longtime rivals and former teammates are ready to continue their captivating battle at the front of the 450SX Class again this weekend. In the 250SX Class, the highly anticipated Eastern Regional Championship will kick off with its first race in what looks to be a wide-open title fight.
The 450SX Class Main Event last Saturday from Arlington, Texas’ AT&T Stadium was one of the most exciting of the 2016 season as it pitted Dungey and Roczen in a head-to-head battle for victory.
Roczen captured his first SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award at Arlington Supercross to start, but Dungey made the pass for the lead on the opening lap and looked to open a gap. Roczen responded to Dungey the following lap and became the first rider this season to pass the defending champion and current points leader for the lead in a Main Event.
The German rider maintained an advantage of about a second over Dungey throughout the majority of the 20-lap race, but the champ erased the deficit in the closing laps, which resulted in a thrilling battle for victory. Roczen withstood the pressure from Dungey to lead 19 laps and secure his second win in three races.
“I think I have more wins than Holeshot Awards,” quipped Roczen following the event. “It was great to get that one. Ryan (Dungey) and I battled the entire time. He passed me. I passed him back. It was tough out there. We had some good traction and in some parts we had some slick spots. They had the triple. They had a little double on the inside that was really hard to make.
“You had to get a good lift and just land in that pocket and make it. It was tough. It was a good race. He was pushing hard. I was pushing hard and we won it. It (the track) was tight in certain spots. It made for some good racing. I hope the fans enjoyed it. My Soaring Eagle Jimmy John’s Suzuki got me off to a great start and that’s what we wanted and needed and we got it. The championship is still good. We only made up three points but we’re going to keep fighting until Vegas. That’s for sure.”
Although he missed out on adding a fifth win to his season total, Dungey extended his podium streak to 23 races and has not finished worse than second for 18 races dating back to last season.
“At the end of the race, we were pushing the pace,” said Dungey. “I made a pass for the lead, but Ken [Roczen] got me back exactly where I passed him. To leave with good points and finish second is something to be proud of.”
Following Roczen and Dungey in third was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson, who earned his first podium result since winning the first race of the season.
“I got a good jump in the main, but so did two other riders,” said Anderson. “I was able to go with them into the first turn and just stay there. I’m pumped because I got the start and then did what I was supposed to do with it. I do wish I could have started just a little farther ahead so I could have sprinted away with those guys, but being in the top five is a good goal for me. I feel like I’m in a good spot.”
In the 450SX Class standings, Roczen reduced his deficit to Dungey to 23 points while Anderson solidified his hold on third, 35 points out of the lead.
James Stewart may also return to the field this weekend; for more, visit James Stewart to Return to Atlanta Supercross?.
Arlington Supercross 250SX Preview
Following seven weeks of Western Regional 250SX Class competition, the time has arrived to the Eastern Regional Championship to take center stage. With the move of defending champion Marvin Musquin to the 450SX Class, a new champion will emerge this season. The Eastern Regional field consists of seven former 250SX Class Main Event winners ready to engage in what should be one of the most hotly contested title fights in recent memory.
Of those seven previous winners, one will begin the Eastern Regional Championship on the sidelines. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo is on the mend from a wrist injury suffered while preparing for his title run, but is hopeful of a return before the season ends.
Another rider that will garner attention this weekend in the Eastern Regional opener is Team MicroBilt/PRBC Suzuki’s Vicki Golden. The groundbreaking rider ended her 2015 Monster Energy Supercross rookie season on a high note, making history as the first woman to ever qualify for the “Fast 40,” a term used to refer to the riders that transition into the night program from timed qualifying, at the Las Vegas finale. With a year of experience under her belt, Golden will look to pick up where she left off last May, breaking new ground every step of the way.
Last year in back-to-back races in Atlanta, Chad Reed and Dungey emerged victorious, with Dungey finishing in the top two at both races. Trey Canard was the only other rider to finish on the podium each time. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Jeremy Martin and Musquin took the wins and both finished on the podium at each race. Justin Bogle joined them.
2016 Atlanta Supercross on TV
Fox Sports 1 will broadcast Atlanta Supercross live with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. For more, visit 2016 Supercross TV Schedule.
450SX Class Results, Arlington SX
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
- Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
- Christophe Pourcel, San Antonio, Fla., Husqvarna
- Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
- Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki
450SX Class Championship Standings
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 166
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki – 143
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna – 131
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda – 121
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 119
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha – 112
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM – 92
- Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 85
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM – 82
- Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki – 73
Western Regional 250SX Class Results, Arlington
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
- Christian Craig, Corona, Calif., Honda
- Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna
- Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha
- Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM
- Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
- Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
- Chris Alldredge, Powell Butte, Ore., Kawasaki
- Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda
- Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha – 145
- Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki – 134
- Christian Craig, Corona, Calif., Honda – 129
- Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha – 117
- Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna – 110
- Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda – 99
- Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM – 97
- Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda – 87
- Kyle Cunningham, Willow Park, Texas, Suzuki – 69
- Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., – 63
