2013 AMA Supercross Anaheim I Results

Davi Millsaps Makes Triumphant Return To Supercross Podium

“It was a great night for me,” Davi Millsaps said. “This is my first win since 2010.” – Photo: Simon Cudby

AMA Supercross finally got its 2013 motorsports season underway this past weekend. More than 45,000 people were on hand to watch the race at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, which saw some familiar faces, and a surprise, stand on the podium.

Few were expecting Davi Millsaps to get out to an early lead while favorites like Ryan Villopoto and Justin Barcia fell behind. Multiple crashes and many riders trying to edge their way toward the front filled the remainder of the race, but Millsaps held on to cross the finish line in the top spot. He was followed closely by Trey Canard and Ryan Dungey, who took second and third place, respectively.

“It was a great night for me,” Millsaps said. “This is my first win since 2010, and I was just trying to keep calm out there. It has been a long time since I have led a race, so it was hard to calm my nerves.”

Riders don’t have to wait too long to get back on the track, as the second round of the series will take place January 12 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ryan Dungey Earns 3rd At Anaheim Supercross

Ryan Dungey earned 3rd overall at the opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series – Photo: Simon Cudby

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ryan Dungey earned 3rd overall at the opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship.

Dungey had solid practice times putting in laps that were inside the top five in both timed practices. He was placed in the first 450 Supercross heat. Unfortunately, he got pinched off in the first corner off the start and came out in 7th.

On the second lap, Dungey collided with another rider in a rhythm section and went down. He quickly recovered and reentered the race in 13th position. With six laps remaining he quickly went to work to move himself into qualifying position. When the checkered flag flew he had climbed up to 6th to qualify into the main event.

In the main event Dungey got off to a better start and rounded the first corner in 4th position. He began a four rider battle for the lead, including Davi Millsaps, Trey Canard and Justin Barcia. Dungey pressured Barcia for 3rd for the first ten laps. As soon as he moved into striking distance he suffered a small crash and lost some ground. Luckily, he didn’t lose a position but he did lose valuable time. A lap later Barcia suffered a crash and Dungey was able to move into 3rd place. With only a few laps remaining Dungey held on to 3rd to earn his first podium of the season.

With only a few laps remaining, Ryan Dungey held on to 3rd to earn his first podium of the season – Photo: Simon Cudby

“I am excited to get on the podium at this race,” remarked Dungey. “It is a long series and it is good to get a podium finish at the first round to get us off on a right start. Last year, we had a great race at the second round of the series and I am looking forward to going to Phoenix next week and hopefully moving up on the podium.”

Next Event: Phoenix, AZ – January 12, 2013

Source: KTM North America

James Stewart Overcomes Injury At Anaheim I

James Stewart overcame an injury in practice to finish eighth in his debut Supercross ride for Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing.

James Stewart overcame an injury in practice to finish eighth in his debut Supercross ride for Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing at Saturday’s opening round of the AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

After putting down some blisteringly-hot laps on his RM-Z450 and posting the fastest qualifying time at the end of practice, Stewart tweaked his right knee and wound up riding conservatively in the night’s Main Event.

After icing and elevating his leg and opting-out of the opening ceremonies to rest, Stewart put in a smart ride in his eight-lap heat race, getting a great start and leading the first half of the race before finishing third. In the 20-lap Main Event, Stewart again played it safe and simply kept it on two wheels. As a result, the two-time AMA Supercross Champion finished in the top 10 and was happy to pick-up as many points as possible in just the first race in a long 17-round series.

Said Stewart: “Things started out pretty good. We were fastest in practice and top qualifier. We had some really good speed and the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 was working great all day. Then I had a little mishap in practice; I didn’t fall over, I just caught my knee wrong. That turned my night around right there, because up until then I felt like we had a win in us. We finished eighth, but to be honest, I feel like I won the race. Now I’ll go and get it checked out and if everything is good with the knee, we’ll continue on to Phoenix next week and hopefully get on a roll. My main competition finished eight spots behind me so we’re right there in points. Now we just need to go back and figure it out for next week.”

Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s next event is the second round of the 2013 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship on Saturday, January 12th, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Source: Team Suzuki

Mixed Fortunes For RCH Suzuki At Anaheim

Broc Tickle was on the pace for a top-10 finish when a mid-race mishap dropped him out of the race contention in 18th.

The new-look Dodge/ Sycuan Casino/ RCH Racing/ Bel-Ray/ Suzuki Racing Team had an evening of mixed results at the opening round of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Series season on Saturday at jammed-packed Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

Former AMA Lites Champion Broc Tickle was on the pace for a top-10 finish aboard his RM-Z450 when a mid-race mishap with two-time defending series champion Ryan Villopoto dropped the first-year RCH rider 10 positions and out of the race contention in 18th.

Tickle started 12th in the 20-lap Main Event. He broke inside the top 10 by lap five and was racing fork-to-fork with Villopoto when misfortune struck on the eighth lap when he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and couldn’t avoid the havoc in front of him.

Said Tickle: “I didn’t see much until I got right up on him. He must have hit the tuff block when he landed because they were all across the track. I dodged one, dodged his bike but ran into ‘Villo’ and crashed. It’s a bummer for everyone on the team but we’re ‘outta here healthy and I’m looking forward to next week in Phoenix.

The Michigan native was solid throughout the event aboard the Tony Berluti-tuned Suzuki. He rode mid-pack in both afternoon practice sessions and finished sixth in his Heat Race for an automatic transfer to the Main Event. Tickle was impressive in his heat, rebounding after getting pinched in the first turn which dropped him five positions in the eight-lap race, but he regained four spots over the final four laps on the ultra-fast Anaheim track.

“We had a really good day until the Main Event,” said Berluti. “Broc was running about 10th; he and Ryan Villopoto were battling hard for a few laps, then Villopoto hit a tuff block and knocked it out of place and Broc had nowhere to go. It took Broc a few seconds to get back going, but by then he was all the way back in 20th.

Team-mate Josh Hill suffered his second-consecutive, season-opening disappointment after the Oregon rider wobbled his Suzuki during the first qualifying practice, cross-rutting a portion of the rhythm section which sent him to the dirt.

Hill’s head-banging tumble forced the second-year RCH rider to sit out the remaining event schedule and was evaluated by medical personnel for precautionary reasons. Hill suffered a broken left leg at last year’s season opener which side-lined him for the majority of the season.

Said Hill’s mechanic Shawn Bell: “Kind of a bummer. Josh had a little trouble when he cross-rutted coming through the rhythm section and put the bike down. He banged his head a little bit and we thought it was the best option to have him looked at and hold him out of the race.

“He was good in practice. We had high expectations coming into tonight and we got bit by a gremlin. We’ve waited for this all off season, it’s been pretty gnarly getting ready for Anaheim and everyone was looking forward to tonight’s race.”
Source: Team Suzuki

Ken Roczen Earns 2nd At Anaheim I

Ken Roczen impressed the sold out crowd with a great performance to earn his first podium of the season – Photo: Simon Cudby

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ken Roczen earned 2nd overall at the opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship Series. Roczen impressed the sold out crowd with a great performance to earn his first podium of the season.

Roczen turned heads early in the day after setting a blistering pace in the first practice. In the following two timed practice sessions he turned the second fastest lap time and was looking forward to the night show.

Roczen got a great jump off the start of the first 250 Supercross heat and was sitting in 2nd place after the first corner. Within a half of a lap, Roczen had passed Jessy Nelson to take over the lead. Roczen never looked back and went on to lead the remaining laps and take his first heat win of the season.

In the main event, Roczen again put himself in great position sitting in 3rd place after avoiding a huge pile up in the first rhythm section. In the first few corners, Roczen was able to make a pass on Malcolm Stewart to take over 2nd position. Early in the race Roczen cased a jump and jammed his wrist. After that he reported that he focused on maintaining his position. He was able to continue a consistent pace and held on through the fifteen lap main event to earn 2nd overall. After the race, Roczen commented, “You can’t win the championship at the first race, but you can lose it. I am glad that I was able to finish on the podium and put my team in good position for the championship.”

Source: KTM North America

Malcolm Stewart Earns 5th At Opening Supercross Round

Malcolm Stewart earned 5th overall at the opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series – Photo: Simon Cudby

JDR/J-Star/KTM rider Malcolm Stewart earned 5th overall at the opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship. His teammate Joey Savatgy also qualified for his first Supercross earning 13th overall.

Stewart, Savatgy and the third member of the JDR/J-Star/KTM 250SX West Supercross Team, Josh Cachia, all turned decent lap times in the afternoon practice sessions. Stewart and Cachia were placed in the first heat while Savatgy was placed in heat two.

In the first 250SX heat, Stewart took off with a 6th place start. He was able to pass into 5th early in the race and held that position to qualify into the main. Unfortunately, Cachia suffered a crash in the heat and was forced to go to the LCQ.

In the second 250 SX heat, Savatgy earned a mid-pack start and was able to move into qualifying position. He finished the six lap heat in 8th place to transfer to the main.

Cachia started up front in the LCQ but crashed early on which caused him to drop to last position. With only four laps to make passes he was unable to move into qualifying position and had to sit out of the main event.

Joey Savatgy qualified for his first Supercross earning 13th overall – Photo: Simon Cudby

When the gate dropped for the 250SX main event, Stewart leaped out front avoiding a huge pile up. When he rounded the third corner he had moved up to 2nd place. He was passed by Ken Roczen on the next lap and dropped to 3rd. He held on to the podium position past the halfway point holding off Jason Anderson and Cole Seely. With five laps to go, he dropped to 5th position. Once in 5th, he was able to hold his pace and finish 5th overall for his first top five finish of the season. Savatgy rode a strong first race to finish 13th overall.

“I am happy to walk away with a 5th place finish,” stated Stewart. “I think I just rode a little too tight in the beginning laps which hurt me at the end. Overall, I feel really happy with the result today and am looking forward to improving at the next round.”

Next Event: Phoenix, AZ – January 12, 2013

Source: KTM North America

Anaheim I Overview And Point Standings

2013 AMA Supercross Anaheim I Image Gallery (Click for full size images)

Overall Results – Supercross Class: 20 Laps

1. Davi Millsaps: 18:56.800
2. Trey Canard: +02.297
3. Ryan Dungey: +13.479
4. Chad Reed: +28.203
5. Jake Weimer: +29.212
6. Andrew Short: +33.547
7. Justin Barcia: +37.608
8. James Stewart: +40.794
9. Justin Brayton: +42.464
10. Kevin Windham: +54.798
11. Joshua Grant: +56.338
12. Matthew Goerke: +58.352
13. Kyle Chisholm: -1 Lap
14. Weston Peick: -1 Lap
15. Matthew Lemoine: -1 Lap
16. Ryan Villopoto: -1 Lap
17. Vince Friese: -1 Lap
18. Broc Tickle: -1 Lap
19. Robert Kiniry: -1 Lap
20. Mike Alessi: -17 Laps

Point Standings – Supercross Class ( Race 1 of 17 )

1. Davi Millsaps – 25
2. Trey Canard – 22
3. Ryan Dungey – 20
4. Chad Reed – 18
5. Jake Weimer – 16
6. Andrew Short – 15
7. Justin Barcia – 14
8. James Stewart – 13
9. Justin Brayton – 12
10. Kevin Windham – 11
11. Joshua Grant – 10
12. Matthew Goerke – 9
13. Kyle Chisholm – 8
14. Weston Peick – 7
15. Matthew Lemoine – 6
16. Ryan Villopoto – 5
17. Vince Friese – 4
18. Broc Tickle – 3
19. Robert Kiniry – 2
20. Mike Alessi – 1

Overall Results – Supercross Lites West Class: 15 Laps

1. Eli Tomac: 14:20.647
2. Ken Roczen: +06.444
3. Cole Seely: +11.553
4. Jason Anderson: +19.684
5. Malcolm Stewart: +24.068
6. Ryan Sipes: +28.540
7. Zach Osborne: +29.307
8. Tyla Rattray: +30.244
9. Max Anstie: +33.004
10. Michael Leib: +34.672
11. Kyle Cunningham: +37.654
12. Christian Craig: +39.157
13. Joey Savatgy: +41.456
14. Blake Baggett: -1 Lap
15. Travis Baker: -1 Lap
16. Austin Politelli: -1 Lap
17. Jean Ramos: -1 Lap
18. Jessy Nelson: -2 Laps
19. Jake Canada: -10 Laps

Point Standings – Supercross Lites West Class ( Race 1 of 9 )

1. Eli Tomac – 25
2. Ken Roczen – 22
3. Cole Seely – 20
4. Jason Anderson – 18
5. Malcolm Stewart – 16
6. Ryan Sipes – 15
7. Zach Osborne – 14
8. Tyla Rattray – 13
9. Max Anstie – 12
10. Michael Leib – 11
11. Kyle Cunningham – 10
12. Christian Craig – 9
13. Joey Savatgy – 8
14. Blake Baggett – 7
15. Travis Baker – 6
16. Austin Politelli – 5
17. Jean Ramos – 4
18. Jessy Nelson – 3
19. Jake Canada – 2

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Filed in: Dirt Bike Racing News • Motorcycle News • Motorsports Events
Tagged with: 250cc racing • 450cc racing • AMA • ama racing • AMA Supercross • Anaheim • Broc Tickle • California • Cole Seely • crash • Davi Millsaps • dirt bikes • factory racing team • FIM • injury • J-Star • James Stewart • Jason Anderson • JDR • Jessy Nelson • Joey Savatgy • Josh Cachia • Josh Hill • Justin Barcia • Ken Roczen • KTM • Malcolm Stewart • mechanic • Monster Energy • RCH Racing • Red Bull • Ryan Dungey • Ryan Villopoto • supercross lites racing • supercross racing • Suzuki • Suzuki RM-Z450 • Trey Canard • world championship racing • Yoshimura