FXR Racing Presents The Mid- Week Report With Andy White

What better way to escape this cold winter than to head south for a supercross. Last weekend I made my way down to San Diego so I could check out Round 2 of the Monster Energy Supercross Series. This marks the first time I have watched a supercross in San Diego, and I can tell you, I will be back in 2017. What a location! Ten minutes from the airport and the beach is only minutes away. The only thing that was not so cool were the long flights from Montreal. The sacrifices we make in the name of supercross. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from the weekend’s race.

When the gate dropped on the 450 main event in San Diego, there was just no stopping Ryan Dungey.

450 SX Class

So it looks like Ryan Dungey is back to his winning form on his Red Bull KTM 450. Not far behind Dungey was a rider that I didn’t expect to podium this soon – CR22. Chad looked like he has his Yamaha YZ450 dialed in. He got a great start and really didn’t make one mistake the whole 20 lap final. He kept Dungey honest from the start of the race to the very last lap. I really thought Chad might have found the speed to catch Ryan, but maybe next week. I was really impressed with how aggressive Anderson was again this past weekend. You can tell Jason is hungry and really wants it this year. Jason is not afraid to scrape a little paint when he wants to pass you. Barcia was sure not happy after Jason used him as a berm. Unfortunately, all you Bubba fans will have to wait for Round 3 to see James again. I sure hope we see him back on the track soon; James is one rider that can either win or wreck. Let’s hope for the podium next time around. To be honest, the final was a little boring. The track was pretty easy for these athletes, and I thought the whoop section was really about the only tough section.

After a bad start in the main event, Cooper Webb was forced to charge from behind and pass riders like Zach Osborne on the way to his San Diego win.

250 SX Class

How about Cooper Webb! I don’t think I have seen a rider so confident and focused. It wouldn’t matter if Coop started 10th, I think he is still going to find his way to the front. His focus is unreal. Every lap he seems to get stronger and faster. He will pass you in the inside on one lap and on the outside the next. I don’t think anyone in the West Lites has anything for him. There are lots of riders that can finish second. Osborne is one rider that has the speed but has a hard time closing the deal. This is what happened for him in San Diego: Zack was riding really well, he had good lines and was focused until three laps from the end. That’s when the focus department seized up and he threw it away. By the time he picked up his Husky he was back in 8th. Jimmy Decotis looked awesome all afternoon in practice and in his heat race. In the final, Jimmy had a great start but tried to ride under his teammate in a right hand 180 turn and washed out. That was it for the Rippa. He eventually finished 8th. Jimmy has the speed and just needs a little lady luck this weekend. Joey Savatgy finally had some luck and looked solid on his Monster Pro Curcuit Kawasaki. He didn’t have the best start but he put it all together and finished 2nd overall. Finishing third for the night was Jordan Smith. Cole Thompson had a rough final. It’s not a good night when you are last around the first turn, I’m not sure what really happened but I know he needs to work on his starts if he is looking to finish in the top 10. Once Cole is racing he looks great; his lap times are solid. He looks aggressive and is hitting all his marks. Let’s hope this weekend he can find his way to the front right from the start. One rider that I was really pumped for was FXR rider Zac Commans from California. His very first west coast Supercross race and he made it to the final. Solid effort. Look for Zac again this weekend at A2 and the balance of the western rounds.

What can we expect this weekend at A2? Well, it will be a right handed first turn so that will be a recipe for disaster. You usually don’t see right hand turns off the start. It’s not easy to brake and turn right on a start. I predict a load of carnage in the first turn. There is a pretty big sand section too so this will make things exciting. Weston is back this weekend after having to sit out last weekend and no doubt I am sure you will see him running up in the top 10. Thanks for reading and we will catch you after A2.

And now it’s back to Angel Stadium for round three of the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Series.