Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
St. Louis, MO is dubbed as the “Gateway to the West” and “America’s Center.” It also happens to be home to some of the most perfect dirt on the entire Monster Energy Supercross series. Riders look forward to this race all year because they know the tacky dirt will break down into a technical track with plenty of race lines and passing opportunities. Round 11 certainly did not disappoint and provided plenty of action on Saturday night. Where there are always more instances to add to our bench racing knowledge, here is a look at five memorable moments from Round 11 of Monster Energy Supercross.
5. Drayke Sizemore wins 250 LCQ and Earns a Gate Pick in his Career First Main Event
It’s not often that riders in the LCQ receive much fanfare, but when one of those riders earns his career first trip to a Main Event, it’s only appropriate to give them their time in the spotlight. Privateers are some of the toughest and most tenacious riders in our sport. With far less resources than their Factory Rider counterparts, Privateers are tasked with competing for the same championship points, working for the chance to show the world that they are the heart and soul of Monster Energy Supercross. During the 250 LCQ on Saturday night, the #155 of Drayke Sizemore was in the zone and put in a hard charge the entire race. On lap three, Sizemore made a decisive pass for the lead and maintained his position at the front of the pack all the way through the checkered flag. What made his win even more momentous was that he made his first Main Event in front of his family and friends at his “home” race. Drayke would go on to finish in 20th place in his first-ever Main Event. Many riders only ever get the chance to dream of this moment, and Drayke got the chance to live it.
4. Cooper Webb Out for St. Louis
After earning his first overall podium position of the season at Daytona, fans were certainly hoping to see the #2 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing rider carry his momentum into St. Louis. Unfortunately, a freak bike problem caused a practice crash while he was training during the week. His crash resulted in a dislocated shoulder. After rehabbing the shoulder the remainder of the week, Webb hoped to be ready to race in St. Louis. He lined up for first practice where he ultimately went down due to not having enough strength in his shoulder. Webb joins a laundry list of riders this season who have been given the cold shoulder and knocked out of contention. No timeline has been given for Webb’s return, but we hope to see him back on the track soon.
3. Jordon Smith Follows up Daytona Win with Podium in St. Louis
Jordon Smith has been steady on the rise this season, and currently sits third in the points standing for the Eastern Regional Championship. What makes this podium finish particularly noteworthy is that on the starting gate, Smith was doing everything in his power to wave off the raising of the 30-second board. Just before the 30-second board is raised, the AMA official points down the line of riders to make sure they are locked and loaded in the gate. Albeit brief, this is the only moment of the race where a rider can essentially momentarily pause the race. It is unclear what caused the #45 to raise his hand, but it was not noticed by the AMA official and the 30-second board proceeded to be raised high in the air. We all know that racing is not only incredibly physically demanding, but the mental game plays a huge part in a rider’s performance as well. I don’t know about you, but being frazzled on the line after not being able to flag down the AMA official would skyrocket my heartbeat, making it incredibly challenging to refocus for the gate drop. Jordon was able to recompose and managed to fix whatever problem was holding him back before the gate dropped and was on the charge the entire Main Event. Jordon finished 3rd on the evening and maintained his third place in the points standings.
2. Anderson and Osborne Maintain Points Lead in Respective Classes
Jason Anderson has been the standout surprise of the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross season. Anderson’s steadily increasing racing IQ and more assertive racing style has proved to be his greatest ally during this season. In a season where riders are suffering season-ending injuries right and left, consistency has been the greatest tool for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider. Anderson finished in second place in St. Louis and holds a 42-point lead over Marvin Musquin heading into Round 12. His teammate in the 250 class, Zach Osborne, has also not wasted any time asserting himself as a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Regional Championship. As the defending champion in the Eastern Regional class, the goal for Osborne is obviously to carry the red plates all the way to finals. Zach Osborne launched himself to holeshot line on Saturday, and then was passed by Austin Forkner. Forkner led about half of the race, but Zach is another rider with extremely high racer IQ. His near decade of experience as a professional racer has certainly served him well. As we waited patiently for his moment, Forkner unfortunately went down, which allowed Osborne an opportunity for an easy pass. Osborne went on to win the 250 Main Event in St. Louis and regained the sole points lead for the Eastern Regional Championship. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team currently holds two of three available red plates and looks to maintain their dominance as we head to Indianapolis for Round 12 this weekend.
1. Eli Tomac Racks up 20+ Second Lead in St. Louis
We all know by now that Eli Tomac is a dangerous force in the 450 class. After 11 rounds, Tomac is still the overall lap leader, unmatched by any of his competition. Saturday in St. Louis was one of those days where all the puzzle pieces fit together for the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider. The gate dropped and that first lap was the last time any of the field even had a remote chance of catching up to the #3. Tomac’s one second lead quickly turned to two seconds, which turned into seven seconds, and by the checkers, Tomac was a whopping 20.721 seconds ahead of 2nd place finisher Jason Anderson. Even with all the adversity he’s faced throughout the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross season, Eli Tomac is a bad dude on a dirt bike. Even missing one race and finishing two races in last place, the lighting fast Tomac still sits in 4th place in the championship standings. Don’t count him out yet! There is still plenty of fight left in the Team Green rider.
We head to Indianapolis, Indiana for Round 12 of the series this weekend, where, for the first time in regular season competition, the Eastern Regional 250 riders will face off with their Western Regional counterparts. The two regions haven’t faced off in Supercross since the 2017 Las Vegas Finals. It will be interesting to see who will be crowned victorious. Be sure to tune in on Saturday!
