News 10 Apr 2017

Musquin claims second 450SX main event victory in Seattle

Tomac levels Dungey in premier class points chase.

Source: Supplied.

Marvin Musquin overcame challenging conditions to claim the second 450SX main event victory of his career at Seattle’s 14th round of the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

Capturing the top position early in the shortened 17-minute main event and clearing out to a comfortable lead, it was an intense and action-packed battle behind him for the remaining spots.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac started out in 10th position while championship rival Ryan Dungey found himself on the ground in the first corner with a huge deficit to make up.

As both Tomac and Dungey carved their way through the field it was Tomac who then found himself sampling the soft CenturyLink Field soil as he crashed out of third position and again had to push to regain valuable points.

Tomac remounted and continued his impressive charge to the front as he eventually made his way by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson for second position as the chequered flag flew.

Behind Musquin and Tomac it was Anderson who held onto third position ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Dungey who put in a strong ride from the rear of the field to salvage vital points.

Australia’s Chad Reed crossed the line in ninth position, the Monster Energy/Yamalube/Chaparral/Yamaha Financial Services/Yamaha rider making a strong improvement over his St. Louis result of 16th.

With just three rounds remaining on the 2017 schedule, Dungey and Tomac leave Seattle tied on points for the 450SX championship lead followed by Musquin in third, Cole Seely in fourth and Anderson in fifth.

The Seattle round marked the return of the West Coast 250SX series following a lengthy break from racing action and it was Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger who proved best on the night.

Following a main event restart due to downed riders, Plessinger was forced to make his way to the front twice in one night after leaping to the early lead in the initial main event start.

Visibly disappointed with the restart decision, the former main event winner regrouped and again moved to the front of the field to ride an uncontested race to the chequered flag for his second win of his career.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Justin Hill found himself in second position after starting out in fourth, the series leader riding smart and settling into the runner-up spot for a strong podium finish.

Behind Plessinger and Hill it was returning Troy Lee Designs GoPro Red Bull KTM rider Mitchell Oldenburg who made his way through the field to pass GEICO Honda’s Jimmy Decotis for the final podium spot on lap 11.

Australia’s Hayden Mellross rode to a career-best seventh place finish on the night, the 51FIFTY Energy Drink Yamaha contender topping fellow Australian Dan Reardon who finished 11th aboard his Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha entry.

Hill continues to lead the West Coast 250SX championship as Plessinger now sits 18 points behind in second position followed by Shane McElrath in third, Martin Davalos in fourth and Decotis in fifth.

The 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will now take its first and only break next weekend before returning to action at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on 22 April.

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