Cycle News Staff | November 10, 2020
Chris Fillmore is crowned 2020 AMA Supermoto Open Pro Champion
KTM USA’s Chris Fillmore has claimed the Pro Open victory in the doubleheader round that made up the 2020 AMA Supermoto Championship at Mussleman Raceway, Arizona, November 7-8.
Riding the 2021 KTM SMR450, Fillmore tied on race finishes with Jake Laforge (KTM) with 2-2-1-1 results but was awarded the victory on account of his winning the last race. Dustin Hoffman (KTM) took the final spot on the Pro Open podium.
The meeting started off with Laforge drawing first blood on Saturday morning’s race one, comfortably taking the win as Fillmore recovered from a lap-one crash for second place.
Chris Fillmore leads Jake Laforge in Sunday’s final race three at the AMA Supermoto Championship in Arizona. Photo: Karen E. Ott
Organizers were forced to cancel the remainder of the Saturday program following a heavy rain shower, rendering the already slippery Mussleman venue too dangerous to compete on in the wet.
As such, the Sunday program saw a full day of action with three races run for each class, with Laforge, once again, holding Fillmore at bay for the race-two win. However, that’s as good as it got for Massachusetts resident Laforge, as Fillmore went on a rampage with two holeshots and two wins, the last a tense duel as the two fastest riders of the meeting slugged it out at the head of the pack.
Nicky Reimer is the new Pro Lites Supermoto Champion.
For Fillmore, the win marked 18 years since his first supermoto event and his first AMA Supermoto title.
“It’s been amazing to get back to my roots in supermoto,” Fillmore said. “Having had a chance to get back in the sport, I can say for sure I’ve really missed it.
“It was a bit of a testing weekend with the weather, but the three main events on Sunday worked out nicely. The competition was tight and the battles with the Jake and the others definitely forced me to stay on my toes in order to take the championship. My KTM never missed a beat all weekend, and I’m really pleased to deliver the title alongside my longtime friend and old team boss Mitch Hansen, who has helped me so much in my career.”
Other class winners included Nicky Reimer (Pro Lites), Rocco Landers (Asphalt), Sean Ungvarsky (Amateur Open).
Open Pro Results (Rounds 1 – 4)
1. Chris Fillmore, KTM, 2-2-1-1
2. Jake Laforge, KTM, 1-1-2-2
3. Dustin Hoffman, KTM, 4-4-6-3
2020 Open Pro Championship Standings
1. Chris Fillmore, 94 points
2. Jake Laforge, 94 points
3. Dustin Hoffman, 71 points
