Series champion Ryan Dungey makes it two in a row with a win at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.
With each new Monster Energy AMA Supecross Series comes the promise of “Who’s next?” But if Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey continues on his current trajectory, the answer may be “no one.”
That seemed to be the message that Dungey, the reigning AMA Supercross Champion, was trying to send as he streaked to his second consecutive 450cc main event win during round three of the series at Angel Stadium in Anahiem, California, Saturday night; this was the second and final stop for the 2016 supercross tour at the hallowed facility. Dungey advanced to the main event by winning his heat race, but when the 22-rider, 20-lap main event got underway, another rider, BTO Sports KTM’s Davi Millsaps, led the field. Dungey got off to an excellent start to place himself second, and while Millsaps was quicker through the torturous whoop section, Dungey was quicker just about everywhere else, and he snatched the lead away from Millsaps by lap four.
“I was really happy to get into the lead early,” Dungey said after the race. “I just wanted to get out front, ride my own race and pull away. It’s a lot easier when you can get out front and focus on your own rhythm. I’m really glad to get this win and hope to keep this momentum going next weekend.”
Dungey was never seriously challenged after taking the lead, although two-time former AMA Supercross Champion Chad Reed gave it an honest try. The Monster Energy/360fly/Chaparral Yamaha-backed Australian got off to a third-place start, passed Millsaps on lap six and tried to eat into Dungey’s 4.5-second lead. Reed managed to whittle that lead down to 2.8 seconds by the checkered flag to claim his second runner-up finish in a row, and he continues to look impressive aboard his new Yamaha factory ride.
Third place went to former Lucas Oil 450cc Pro Motocross Champion and former Anaheim Supercross winner Ken Roczen on the RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s Suzuki. Roczen started off the night as the number one qualifier and finished second to Dungey in heat race one to earn a direct transfer to the main. However, a ninth-place start left the German rider with some busy work to do in the main event. Roczen steadily worked his way up toward the front of the running order, and he sealed a podium finish with a last-lap pass of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, who has yet to land a podium finish in 2016; he has finished fourth at all three rounds thus far.
Fifth-place went to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson, who was followed by Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely, Millsaps and BTO Sports KTM’s Justin Brayton. Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin and Team Tedder/Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer completed the top 10.
It was a bad night for Team Honda HRC’s Trey Canard, who crashed in his heat race after colliding with another rider and suffered a cut to one of his hands. Canard qualified for the main event by finishing second in Semi 2, but another crash by the finish line jump just two laps into the main event ended his night early.
The 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series now heads north to the O.co Coliseum in Oakland for round four.
2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series
Angel Stadium
Anaheim, California
Results: January 23, 2016 (Round 3 of 17)
450 Main Event
1. Ryan Dungey-KTM
2. Chad Reed-Yam
3. Ken Roczen-Suz
4. Eli Tomac-Kaw
5. Jason Anderson-Hus
6. Cole Seely-Hon
7. Davi Millsaps-KTM
8. Justin Brayton-KTM
9. Marvin Musquin-KTM
10. Jake Weimer-Kaw
11. Wil Hahn-Kaw
12. Christophe Pourcel-Hus
13. Mike Alessi-Hon
14. Weston Peick-Yam
15. Tommy Hahn-Yam
16. Vince Friese-Hon
17. Nicholas Schmidt-Suz
18. Lawson Bopping-Yam
19. Dakota Tedder-Kaw
20. Jeff Alessi-Suz
21. Phil Nicoletti-Yam
22. Trey Canard-Hon
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series Points Standings (after 3 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Dungey-72/2 wins
2. Chad Reed-59
3. Jason Anderson-57/1 win
4. Cole Seely-55
5. Eli Tomac-54
6. Ken Roczen-51
7. Davi Millsaps-36
8. Justin Brayton-35
9. Jake Weimer-33
10. Marvin Musquin-31
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