The 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Series has drawn to a close and will be etched in the history books as one of the most unforgettable seasons in recent memory.
For the first time in many years, a defending champion was absent from both classes–with Ken Roczen out due to his devastating Supercross injury and Cooper Webb moving up from the 250cc class to the 450cc class. We also saw the shocking departure of multi-time champion, Ryan Dungey, as he announced his retirement for professional racing prior to the outdoor national season and prior to the end of his contract with KTM. A clean slate and a highly competitive field meant we were bound to be gifted with some incredibly memorable racing moments throughout the season–career-first moments that racers and fans alike are likely to remember forever. In no particular order, here are the “Top 10 Career First Moments of the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Series.”
10. Blake Baggett claims career-first 450 overall win with a 3-1 finish at Thunder Valley.
After earning his team’s first outdoor podium finish the week prior at Glen Helen, it was clear that Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WPS KTM’s Blake Baggett was about to catch fire. “El Chupacabra,” the name bestowed upon Baggett by Racer X’s Jason Weigandt in 2011 at High Point when Baggett entered attack mode and rode away with a commanding 1-1 overall in 250cc class, was about to emerge yet again.
Amidst the cool Colorado mountain air, Baggett finished third in Moto 1 and followed that up with an epic win in Moto 2, earning his first career 450cc moto win as well as his first 450cc overall win at the Thunder Valley National. Not only was it a memorable day for Baggett, but also for his entire Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WPS KTM team, since it marked their first win as a team as well. Baggett followed up his first podium, with his first win, and kept the streak rolling with another win at High Point, where he earned his career first 450cc Red Plate, which is awarded to the series points leader. He would go on to finish the series still in the title fight up until the last moto of the year, and he would ultimately finish the series third in the points.
Your Privacy Choices