Reed encounters issues as McElrath takes 250SX West overall win.
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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb has captured his maiden 450SX victory at Anaheim’s third round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and FIM World Championship, marking the first Triple Crown of the series.
Webb was able to overcome Ken Roczen (Honda HRC) in the dying stages of main event one, just half a second separating them as they crossed the line. Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was third ahead of Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Cole Seely (Honda HRC), while Australian Chad Reed (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) was 10th.
Webb dominated the second outing with a comfortable 3.818s win over teammate Musquin, as Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha) crossed the chequered flag in third followed by Tomac and Roczen. Reed was unable to start the race as his RM-Z450 was repaired from an incident that occurred in the opener.
Tomac put on a stellar display in main event three, earning a convincing 4.787s win over Frenchman Musquin, who kept Webb at bay for the duration. Roczen was fourth as Reed returned for a strong fifth place finish. Webb secured the overall ahead of Musquin and Tomac, while Reed wound up 12th overall. Roczen still leads the championship with a two-point lead on Tomac.
In the opening 250SX West encounter, Colt Nichols (Monster Energy Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) stormed to victory with a 2.602s advantage over teammate Dylan Ferrandis, the duo finishing comfortably ahead of third’s Shane McElrath (Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM). The top five was rounded out by Adam Cianciarulo (Pro Circuit Monster Energy Kawasaki) and RJ Hampshire (Geico Honda).
It was Ferrandis who reigned supreme in race two despite Nichols leading early before settling for behind McElrath, as Geico Honda duo Hampshire and Cameron McAdoo closed out the first five. McElrath topped the finale main over an improved second for Cianciarulo, who defeated Ferrandis, Nichols and Hampshire. Overall it was McElrath who claimed victory ahead of Ferrandis and points leader Nichols. The AMA Supercross series will head to Oakland next weekend for round four.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au