Monster Energy Supercross Championship Battle Intensifies as Season Makes Final California Stop in San Diego

-- Monster Energy Supercross Championship Battle Intensifies as Season Makes Final California Stop in San Diego
-- Dungey and Roczen Look to Carry KTM Momentum of Historic Anaheim Weekend into Qualcomm Stadium

The fourth different 450SX Class winner in five races of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, has resulted in a highly-competitive battle for the title as the season heads to its final California stop inside San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. Last Saturday night, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey won his 12th career 450SX Class race, vaulting him to second in the championship standings. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, fellow Red Bull KTM rider Ken Roczen extended his points lead by winning his second consecutive race. Combined with the return of the KTM Jr Supercross Challenge after five years, it was a milestone weekend for the KTM team.

Dungey’s path to victory was a difficult one. After posting a DNF in his heat race, Dungey was caught up in a crash on the opening lap of the six-lap LCQ. After crossing the line in seventh, Dungey quickly began to work his way through the field. He moved into third before claiming second on the final lap to earn the final transfer position to the Main Event.

Dungey overcame his outside starting position to grab a top five finish in the Main Event, and then moved into second when some of the riders ahead of him crashed in the third turn. After following MotoConcepts Racing’s Mike Alessi briefly, Dungey moved into the lead by Lap 2 and went on to lead the rest of the 20-lap Main Event.

“We felt some emotion coming into tonight’s race after barely making it into the Main Event,” said Dungey on the podium. “The team was sweating it, but we pulled it off. It’s a long season and this is a big step for the team.”

Current 450SX Class points leader Davi Millsaps followed in second aboard his Rockstar Energy Racing machine, while Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia finished third. In the championship standings, Dungey moved into second place and sits 14 points behind Millsaps.

The triumphant effort by Dungey capped off a historic evening for KTM, which enjoyed victories in both the 450SX Class and 250SX Class for the first time in history following Roczen’s dominant effort earlier in the night.

After JDR/J-Star KTM’s Joey Savagty claimed the holeshot and early lead in the 15-lap Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event, Roczen moved into the top spot before the completion of the opening lap. Once in control of first place, the German fended off some consistent pressure from Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos to claim his fourth career win.

“I need to keep this up and take it to the next level,” said Roczen in his post-race interview. “This has been a great two races for me, but the season is not over yet, so I need to keep the pressure on as we head to San Diego next week.”

Davalos’ runner-up finish was the third of his career and his first this season. GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac finished third and moved into second in the championship. Just one week after taking over the championship point lead, Roczen extended his advantage, which now sits at 20 points over Tomac.

One year ago, Dungey helped lead KTM to its first 450SX Class win in history and once again played a central role in the brand’s next landmark achievement in Monster Energy Supercross on Saturday night. As a result, he and Roczen bring considerable momentum into San Diego, which will serve as the final race on the west coast for eight weekends.

Qualcomm stadium will also be the final appearance of the Western Regional 250SX Class before its annual midseason break. The championship will resume for its seventh, eighth, and ninth races starting in Seattle on April 20.

At last season’s San Diego stop of Monster Energy Supercross, defending champion Ryan Villopoto and former champion Chad Reed provided one of the season’s most memorable battles. The pair traded positions on several occasions before Villopoto emerged with his third win of the year en route to the title. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Dean Wilson took advantage of the misfortune experienced by then points leader Eli Tomac to win his second race of the championship and take over the points lead.

The first race held in San Diego was October 25, 1980, and Mike Bell won on a Yamaha. Reed has the most wins of any rider in San Diego, winning six races in 10 career starts. Jeremy McGrath, James Stewart, and Ryan Villopoto are the only riders to win at San Diego in both the 450SX Class and 250SX Class. A rider hasn’t won a 450SX Class race inside Qualcomm Stadium over consecutive years since Reed did it in 2007 and 2008. In the 250SX Class, it hasn’t been done since Stewart back in 2002 and 2003.

450SX Class Points

1. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki – 107

2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 93

3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 92

4. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 90

5. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda – 81

6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda – 71

7. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 61

8. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki – 56

9. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha – 53

10. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 48

Western Regional 250SX Class Points

1. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM – 116

2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 96

3. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda – 89

4. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Kawasaki – 70

5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki – 68

6. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda – 68

7. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha – 67

8. Christian Craig, Wildomar, Calif., Honda – 54

9. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., KTM – 52

10. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda – 49

Past Winners in San Diego
450SX Class
February 11, 2012: Ryan Villopoto
February 19, 2011: Chad Reed
February 6, 2010: Davi Millsaps
February 14, 2009: James Stewart
February 9, 2008: Chad Reed
February 17, 2007: Chad Reed
February 11, 2006: James Stewart
February 19, 2005: Chad Reed
January 24, 2004: Chad Reed
February 8, 2003: Chad Reed
January 12, 2002: David Vuillemin
January 13, 2001: Ricky Carmichael
January 22, 2000: David Vuillemin
January 16, 1999: Ezra Lusk
February 7, 1998: Jeremy McGrath
February 10, 1996: Jeremy McGrath
February 11, 1995: Jeremy McGrath
February 5, 1994: Jeremy McGrath
February 6, 1993: Jeremy McGrath
February 8, 1992: Damon Bradshaw
February 9, 1991: Jean-Michael Bayle
February 10, 1990: Jeff Stanton
February 11, 1989: Rick Johnson
February 14, 1987: Rick Johnson
February 8, 1986: Rick Johnson
January 26, 1985: Johnny O’Mara
November 16, 1982: Broc Glover
November 14, 1981: Broc Glover
October 25, 1980: Mike Bell

250SX Class
February 11, 2012: Dean Wilson
February 19, 2011: Eli Tomac
February 6, 2010: Jake Weimer
February 19, 2009: Ryan Dungey
February 9, 2008: Jason Lawrence
February 17, 2007: Ryan Villopoto
February 11, 2006: Andrew Short
February 19, 2005: Nathan Ramsey
January 24, 2004: Ivan Tedesco
February 8, 2003: James Stewart
January 12, 2002: James Stewart
January 13, 2001: Justin Buckelew
January 22, 2000: Greg Schnell
January 16, 1999: Casey Johnson
February 7, 1998: John Dowd
February 10, 1996: Jeff Wiloh
February 11, 1995: Damon Huffman
February 5, 1994: Ryan Hughes
February 6, 1993: Mickael Pichon
February 8, 1992: Jeremy McGrath
February 9, 1991: Jeremy McGrath
February 10, 1990: Ty Davis
February 11, 1989: Jeff Matiasevich
February 14, 1987: Kyle Lewis
February 8, 1986: Donny Schmit
January 26, 1985: Todd Campbell

NEW M2R - CHAMPION CHOICE

RND 5 - KTM DOMINATE ANAHEIM III

RND 4 - RV & ROCZEN WIN OAKLAND

-- AMA Monster Energy Supercross 2013 - Round 5 - Anaheim III - Race Report
-- Dungey Scores First Monster Energy Supercross Win of 2013 Season at Angel Stadium
-- Two in a Row for Roczen with 250SX Class Win

ANAHEIM, Calif. (February 2, 2013) - Before 41,294 fans inside Angel Stadium, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey won his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race of the season. Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen won his second consecutive Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event.

JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s Justin Brayton scored the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award with MotoConcepts Racing’s Mike Alessi trailing in second place. Brayton crashed in turn three, giving the lead to Alessi as Dungey secured second position.

Two-time defending Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto was 11th place on the opening lap aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki. On Lap 1, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Davi Millsaps moved into third place as Dungey took over the lead. Villopoto crashed after making contact with Alessi on the second lap and re-started in 19th place. Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart moved into second place on Lap 6, moving Millsaps back to third place.

Millsaps waited until Lap 13 to re-pass Stewart for second place. Stewart was passed again for third by Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia.

Dungey, who secured his position in the Main Event via the final transfer position in the Last Chance Qualifier, became the fourth different winner in five races this season and moved into second place in season standings. Millsaps finished second and holds a 14-point lead over Dungey. Barcia, who did not finish the last two races, finished third.

“We felt some emotion coming into tonight’s race after barely making it into the Main Event,” said Dungey. “The team was sweating it, but we pulled it off. It’s a long season and this is a big step for the team.”

Rookie Joey Savatgy won the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award aboard his JDR/JStar KTM to start the Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event with Roczen on his back wheel in second place. Roczen quickly moved into the lead on the opening lap as he passed Savatgy. Defending champion Eli Tomac, who rides for the GEICO Honda team, started near the middle of the field but moved into fourth place on Lap 5.

Roczen extended his points lead to 20 over Tomac with the win. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos finished second and Tomac finished third.

“I need to keep this up and take it to the next level,” said Roczen. “This has been a great two races for me, but the season is not over yet, so I need to keep the pressure on as we head to San Diego next week.”

Metal Mulisha founder Brian Deegan’s son Haiden competed in tonight’s KTM Junior Supercross Challenge, finishing fourth overall. The epic freestyle motocross arena tour, Nuclear Cowboyz, which features the Metal Mulisha, can be seen at arenas across the country.

Monster Energy Supercross will continue next Saturday night, February 9, from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

450SX Class Results: Oakland

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
3. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
5. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
7. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
8. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
9. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki
10. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha

Western Regional 250SX Class Results: Oakland
1. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
2. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Kawasaki
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki
6. Travis Baker, Romoland, Calif., Yamaha
7. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., KTM
8. Austin Politelli, Riverside, Calif., Honda
9. Max Anstie, England, Suzuki
10. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge
1. Slade Varola, Simi Valley, Calif., KTM 50 SX
2. Tyler Blankenship, Bakersfield, Calf., KTM 50 SX
3. Ty Freehill, El Dorado Hills, Calif., KTM 50 SX
4. Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., KTM 50 SX
5. Ezra Beckett, Anderson, Calif., KTM 50 SX
6. Cameron Steel, Wyee, Australia, KTM 50 SX
7. Logan Lessar, Centennial, Colo., KTM 50 SX
8. Theo Lount, White City, Ore., KTM 50 SX
9. Kolby Kring, Billings, Mont., KTM 50 SX
10. Jace Grandstaff, Oakdale, Calif., KTM 50 SX
11. Steven Perez, Corona, Calif., KTM 50 SX
12. Dane Morales, Huntington Beach, Calif., KTM 50 SX
13. Cody Murph,y Corona, Calif., KTM 50 SX
14. Ryan Yeski, Sierra Vista, Ariz., KTM 50 SX
15. Seth Sadorra, Brentwood, Calif., KTM 50 SX

RND 1 - MILLSAPS WINS ANAHEIM I

RND 2 - BARCIA WINS PHOENIX

RND 3 - RV OPENS ACCOUNT

- AMA Supercross 2013 -

RND 1 - MILLSAPS WINS ANAHEIM I	RND 2 - BARCIA WINS PHOENIX	RND 3 - RV OPENS ACCOUNT
RND 4 - RV & ROCZEN WIN OAKLAND	RND 5 - KTM DOMINATE ANAHEIM III

- AMA Supercross 2012 -

RND 1 - VILLOPOTO OPENS ACCOUNT	RND 2 - DUNGEY WINS PHOENIX	RND 3 - REED WINS AT DODGERS
RND 4 - BUBBA WINS OAKLAND	RND 5 - VILLOPOTO TAKES ANAHEIM II	RND 6 - VILLOPOTO AGAIN IN SAN DIEGO
RND 7 - VILLOPOTO WINS - REED OUT	RND 8 - DUNGEY WINS ATLANTA	RND 9 - VILLOPOTO BACK ON TOP
RND 10 - STEWART WINS DAYTONA	RND 11 - VILLOPOTO WINS INDY	RND 12 - VILLOPOTO WINS TORONTO
RND 13 - VILLOPOTO WINS TITLE	RND 14 - VILLOPOTO AGAIN	RND 15 - SHORT WINS SEATTLE
RND 16 - DUNGEY WINS SALT LAKE	RND 17 - DUNGEY WINS VEGAS

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