Marvin Musquin won the opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, in front of 45,050 fans at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California on January 6.
KTM Factory Racing’s Musquin fought his way to the front of the pack after a fifth place start in the 450SX Main Event. One by one, Musquin picked off each of his competitors to lead 14 of the 24 laps.
“To win tonight definitely was not expected,” Musquin said. “It was a difficult day, but I tried to stay calm, and I guess we made it happen.”
Musquin, the million-dollar winner of the 2017 Monster Energy Cup, was joined by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson and Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia on the podium, the first for Barcia since 2014. Anderson, who started sixth, charged through the pack to claim second ahead of Barcia.
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The 450SX Class Podium.
Photo credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
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For Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen, last year’s Anaheim 450SX Class winner who has not raced since Anaheim 2 in 2017, came out swinging after a 12th place start and climbed to fourth by the checkers.
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Ken Roczen made his highly-anticipated return in Anaheim.
Photo credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
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Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, winner of nine Main Events in 2017, found the holeshot and lead for seven laps until a mishap eventually forced him out of the competition.
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM’s Shane McElrath earned his second consecutive Anaheim 1 win after qualifying first, taking the holeshot and leading all 18 laps of the Main Event.
“This is a big year,” McElrath said at the post-race press conference. “The West Coast has got a lot of competition from a lot of teams, too. I’ve never really felt that much nerves.”
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Shane McElrath captured his second consecutive Anaheim Opener 250SX win.
Photo credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
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Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger also captured his second consecutive second place finish at Anaheim 1 after a fourth place start. Third place went to second-fastest qualifier Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo in his first career Anaheim start.
Monster EnergySupercross 450SX Class Results
1. Marvin Musquin, Clermont, Fla. (26)
2. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M. (23)
3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla. (21)
4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla. (19)
5. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif. (18)
6. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif. (17)
7. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C. (16)
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich. (15)
9. Joshua Grant, Wildomar, Calif. (14)
10. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C. (13)
Monster Energy Supercross Western Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C. (26)
2. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio (23)
3. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna, Fla. (21)
4. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga. (19)
5. Christian Craig, Orange, Calif. (18)
6. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas (17)
7. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore. (16)
8. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla. (15)
9. Justin Cooper, Huntington, N.Y. (14)
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla. (13)