Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen survived a challenge by James Stewart that ended with Stewart on the ground and Roczen in the 450cc Supercross winner’s circle in his rookie season of Monster Energy AMA 450cc Supercross.
Prior to the 2014 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, two-time Supercross champion and series veteran Chad Reed made the prediction that race fans could expect the unexpected once the gate dropped for the 20-lap 450cc Supercross main event.
“Shit happens,” Reed said. “And we have to be careful.”
By the time the checkered flag fell, Reed would be proven right.
Red Bull KTM rider Ken Roczen of Germany became a first-time 450cc winner tonight at Angel Stadium before 45,050 rabid race fans. That in and of itself wasn’t a history-making event, although Roczen is now among rather elite company, joining Damon Bradshaw (1990), Reed (2003) and Josh Grant (2009) as rookie winners at the Anaheim season opener. But with Red Bull KTM teammate Ryan Dungey finishing second, Roczen’s win did contribute to the first KTM 1-2 450cc Supercross finish in Monster Energy AMA Supercross history. Roczen also became also became the first first-time 450cc Supercross winner to be KTM-mounted.
True to his word, Reed played it cautiously on the slick Anaheim track and brought his Discount Tire/TwoTwo Racing Kawasaki KX450F home in third place, but it was a rough night for two other Supercross champions, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart. Villopoto crashed while appearing well on his way to a 35th career Monster Energy Supercross win, while Stewart crashed late in the race while challenging for the lead and failed to finish; he was credited with 17th place.
It was also a tough night for 450cc class rookie and potential title contender Eli Tomac. The GEICO Honda rider tangled with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer in the opening 450cc Supercross heat race and crashed. Tomac did not take part in his semi or in the Last Chance Qualifier as he got medical attention on his shoulder.
Villopoto nailed the holeshot with Roczen and Reed when the gate dropped for the 20-lap 450cc main event, while heat race winner Justin Barcia and Stewart suffered mid-pack starts. Stewart battled his way into contention by passing Justin Brayton to take over sixth place at about the same time that Ryan Dungey worked past Josh Grant for fourth.
With a clear track in front of him, Villopoto built up a two-second lead over Roczen and Reed by lap eight, but the running order changed dramatically when he suddenly low-sided in the left-handed Toyota turn and lost positions to Roczen, Reed, Dungey and Stewart.
Stewart appeared to be the fastest rider on the track at the midway poin t in the race, and he worked his way past Dungey with nine laps to go to take third place, before charging up behind Reed and taking second place in the same left-hander where Villopoto had crashed, just before the sand pit, on lap 12.
Stewart then easily cut into the two-second advantage held by leader Roczen with six laps to go, and he drew to the leader’s rear wheel through a whoop section on lap 15, setting up the defining moment in the race: Just as Stewart appeared set to blitz past Roczen in the whoops before the mechanic’s area, his Suzuki swapped violently and Stewart was thrown to the ground hard, Stewart walked away from the crash and any chance for a victory.
Roczen stayed smooth to the finish to take the win over Dungey, followed by Reed. Villopoto finished fourth, followed by the Muscle Milk Honda factory-backed Barcia.
Rockstar KTM rider Jason Anderson won an exciting 15-lap 250cc Western Region series-opening main event that came down to the wire at Anaheim tonight. Anderson grabbed the holeshot and led the first few laps of the race before Troy Lee Designs Honda’s Cole Seely passed him for the lead. Seely appeared to be in control of the race until he was slowed by lappers during the last two laps. That allowed Anderson to close the distance to Seely. Anderson them made an aggressive pass for the lead by slamming Seely in the second to last corner before the finish line. Seely tried to retaliate in the next turn, but Anderson escaped with the win. Honda-mounted Zach Osborne finished third.
Angel Stadium
Anaheim, California
Results: January 4, 2014
Round 1 of 17
450cc Main
1. Ken Roczen-KTM
2. Ryan Dungey-KTM
3. Chad Reed-Kaw
4. Ryan Villopoto-Kaw
5. Justin Barcia-Hon
6. Justin Brayton-Yam
7. Josh Grant-Yam
8. Broc Tickle-Suz
9. Andrew Short-KTM
10. Jake Weimer-Kaw
11. Wil Hahn-Hon
12. Mike Alessi-Suz
13. Matt Moss-Suz
14. Nicholas Schmidt-Hon
15. Kyle Partridge-Hon
16. Weston Peick-Suz
17. James Stewart-Suz
18. Josh Hill-Suz
19. Jimmy Albertson-Hon
20. Vince Friese-Hon
21. Matt Goerke-KTM
22. Ivan Tedesco-KTM
450cc Supercross Points Standings
1. Ken Roczen-25/1 win
2. Ryan Dungey-22
3. Chad Reed-Kaw-20
4. Ryan Villopoto-18
5. Justin Barcia-16
6. Justin Brayton-15
7. Josh Grant-14
8. Broc Tickle-13
9. Andrew Short-12
10. Jake Weimer-11
250cc Main
1. Jason Anderson-KTM
2. Cole Seely-Hon
3. Zach Osborne-Hon
4. Dean Wilson-Kaw
5. Cooper Webb-Yam
6. Justin Hill-Kaw
7. Darryn Durham-Kaw
8. Malcolm Stewart-Hon
9. Jessy Nelson-Hon
10. Austin Politelli-Yam
11. Michael Lieb-Hon
12. Jake Canada-Hon
13. Dakota Tedder-Kaw
14. Dean Ferris-KTM
15. Zach Bell-Hon
16. Shane McElrath-Hon
17. Valentin Teillet-Kaw
18. Zack Freeberg-Hon
19. Scott Champion-Yam
20. Topher Ingalls-Hon
21. Cole Martinez-Kaw
22. Preston Mull-Yam
250cc Western Region Supercross Points Standings
1. Jason Anderson-25/1 win
2. Cole Seely-22
3. Zach Osborne-20
4. Dean Wilson-18
5. Cooper Webb-16
6. Justin Hill-15
7. Darryn Durham-14
8. Malcolm Stewart-13
9. Jessy Nelson-12
10. Austin Politelli-11
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