Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
These Saturday afternoon supercross events are something I could really get used to. Popcorn and refreshments were already to go by 4:30pm and by 7pm it was over and then it was time for the NHL Hockey playoffs. Some solid couch time for me with a couple of my favourite things. Speaking of couch time, I heard a few riders comment that they had to get up much earlier in the day to get ready for the event and they were not happy about it. Really? Come on guys, it is one day out of the week that you had to get up at 6am. I hope the western riders that flew in from California arrived a few days earlier to adjust to the three hour time difference. The morning practice was a little greasy, as they say, the track was pretty wet and the weather channel was calling for more rain during the day. The first guys out on the track were about 35 seconds slower per lap and by my clock, that’s pretty slow. I don’t think anyone really jumped much and it was looking like it was going to be a full-on mudder. Just as the second practice was about to get started the weather changed for the better, the skies started to clear and the sun came out. The Dirt Werx track builders had really worked their magic and had the track looking perfect for the second round. With the improvements to the track, the riders started to jump and the lap times came down. By the end of practice the track was looking much better, things were shaping up for a good race and the crowd packed the place for a great show.
It was awesome to see Supercross take over the home of Tom Brady for a weekend. Photo by Frank Hoppen
Foxborough, Massachusetts was the location for Round 15 and it was part of the East Coast Lites leg of the tour. With points leader Malcolm Stewart in the driver’s seat, he had a meagre one point separating him from rookie supercross Yamaha rider, Aaron Plessinger. Would Malcolm bounce back and increase his points lead or would Plessinger make a move for the red plate? Once the gate dropped for the final, Malcolm was out front on his Geico Honda. This is what the Florida native needed. Not too far back in sixth was Jeremy Martin. Was there enough time for him to charge to the front? As the laps clicked by, Stewart started to slow down. I’m not sure if it was a bike issue or just nerves. I believe Malcolm was starting to feel the pressure of Martin and Davalos creeping forward. Just as they hit the mid-way part of the 15 laps, we had a new leader. Davalos made the pass and was looking unstoppable on his Rockstar Husky and following not far behind was Jeremy Martin. This pushed Stewart back to third. The leaders pulled away and finished in the same order. Lucky for Malcolm, Plessinger finished fifth for the day, so this extended the points lead for Stewart by 5 points going into next weekend’s event in New Jersey.
Like we’ve seen with a few first year 450SX riders, Marvin Musquin appears to be a little tired as the 2016 series heads into it’s final few rounds. Photo by Frank Hoppen
The 450 class was the race that everyone wanted to see. Would Dungey clinch the championship tonight? When the gate dropped for the final, Ryan was out in front and Ken Roczen was right there in second. Look out! This was going to be another nail biter of a race. If they finished this way, Dungey would leave with enough points to crown himself the 2016 Supercross champion. I’m thinking Ken had other ideas. It didn’t take the young German many laps to move his Suzuki out front. Was Ken going to be able to keep the lead? The capacity crowd was on their feet waiting for the Factory KTM Champ to make a move for the lead. As the laps clicked off, it looked like maybe Ken had this win. Can you imagine the pressure Ryan was under? Did he really need to ride over his head for the win tonight? Was it do or die? Dungey is a two-time SX Champion for a reason; he knew he had to just finish well and keep it on two wheels. There are two more rounds to go and a 43 point lead; there is plenty of time to clinch the championship. All Ryan has to do this coming weekend is finish near Ken and then he will be crowned champion for the third time in his career. Back to the racing action; so Ken was long gone and looking great. Tomac had a great ride and squeezed by Dungey to capture 2nd for the night. Jason Anderson put the moves on Dungey but came up short by finishing fourth for the event.
This event was a tough one for a few riders. Weimer went down early in the race and didn’t finish. Barcia had his troubles and was only able to finish 19th for the night. Marvin was struggling with his sore wrist and was only able to finish 10th for the night.
After a few weeks of playing second fiddle to Ryan Dungey, Ken Roczen showed why he is a former champion and won easily inside Gillette Stadium. Photo by Frank Hoppen
Next weekend the series stays in the east and heads to East Rutherford stadium in New Jersey. Let’s hope the weather cooperates and it’s a nice sunny, warm day because it will be another open stadium round. The east Lites class is looking like there a few riders that are still in the hunt for the championship. The west coast riders are getting ready for the final round in Vegas May 7th, this will be one exciting final. This year of racing has been anything but boring! See you at the races.
