Houston SX Recap and Round 2 Storylines

450SX Class Recap

Justin Barcia became the second rider in the history of Supercross to win three consecutive season openers (Jeremy McGrath 1994-1996) when he took the checkers at Houston 1. Only McGrath has more opener wins overall than Barcia (5). The victory was his fifth in the 450SX Class, tying him for 30th all-time. The start was his 100th all-time, which moves him into the top40 in that statistic.

GasGas became the first brand to win in their first race since Yamaha won the first Supercross in 1974. The last time a brand premiered in the Supercross class was Ammex in 1978.

Ken Roczen made his eighth consecutive season opener appearance and earned his fifth opener podium with a runner-up finish in Houston 1. In Roczen’s career he has 10 podiums in Rounds 1-2 and 37 podiums in Rounds 3-17. This means Roczen has earned 21% of his podium finishes in just the first 12% of his seasons.

Marvin Musquin picked up right where he left off in 2019, by finishing on the podium. He has finished on the podium in 13 of his last 16 starts dating back to 2019. He now has 40 career 450SX Class podiums, which ties him for 14th with Ezra Lusk and Johnny O’Mara. Musquin has the seventh best podium percentage of qualified riders behind only Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto, Jeremy McGrath, James Stewart, and Eli Tomac.

250SX Class Recap

Christian Craig earned his second career 250SX Class victory across nine 250SX Class seasons when he topped the other 21 riders in the season-and-Eastern Regional 250SX Class opener in Houston. Craig, who is only topped by Mitchell Oldenburg in starts among 250SX Class East riders, took home his ninth podium and 17th top-5 as well. Austin Forkner finished second in the season opener for his 18th career 250SX Class podium. He is one win away from tying for fourth on the all-time 250SX Class wins list and five wins away from breaking James Stewart’s lead of 16 class wins.

January 18, 2021 

Max Vohland, Joshua Varize, Max Miller, and Dylan Woodcock were the first timers of the 250SX Class Main Event in Houston 1. Vohland had the best finish of the group with a ninth, almost 20 years since his father Tallon started his last 250SX Class race (22nd in Pontiac).

GasGas debut in 250SX Class: Michael Mosiman spun his new machine into seventh place for the brands first attempt at regional racing.