Ryan Nitzen | January 29, 2022
Two teammates dominate the Anaheim Two Supercross with Eli Tomac and Christian Craig taking top honors. Both riders started and ended the night with their respective red plates.
450SX
Another weekend, another different winner in the 450SX class. No, not a first time winner, but the fourth different rider to earn a win in just as many rounds. Anaheim Two belonged to Eli Tomac as he claimed his first victory on his new Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha.
Eli Tomac wins A2. Photos: BDW
Tomac started just inside the top five and quietly moved his way through the pack in the early stages. He found himself in third after just a few laps and moved to second after Roczen’s mishap. From there, the red plate holder followed closely behind Jason Andesron and took over the lead when Anderson fumbled in the elevated corner. Once Tomac got the lead he never relinquished it, leading 13 of the 20 lap main event. This is Eli’s first win on his new Yamaha and he continues to lead the points, six over Sexton and eight over Anderson.
Jason Anderson led some laps but came home second.
Jason Anderson scored another podium tonight. The Kawasaki rider made a dicey pass for the lead where he came together with Ken Roczen in the sand section. This left Anderson with the lead for the next three laps and he looked to be running away with it. He overshot his triple-triple line leading up to the elevated turn and stood the bike up in the corner. This bobble handed the lead over to Tomac and the rest is history. A second place for Jason is a huge rebound after last weekend’s mechanical and the number-21 bounces to third in the series points.
Last week’s winner Sexton was third tonight.
Chase Sexton rode a solid race to finish third on the night. The Honda rider qualified first today and clearly had the track dialed in for the night show. He took advantage of other riders’ mistakes and claimed the final podium spot in the 450SX class. His consistency now puts him second in the championship hunt.
450SX Podium
Ken Roczen got off to a great start in the main and established himself as the leader early on. Anderson’s move for the lead put Roczen down in the sand where he was slow to regroup. He even stopped shortly after to shake sand out of his goggles before rejoining the race with pre-crash vigor. A strong effort from Kenny logs him 13th on the night.
Dylan Ferrandis and Malcom Stewart rounded out tonight’s top five. Stewart found himself as far up as second at one point but slipped back fifth at the finish. Ferrandis on the other hand clawed his way through the field, starting 12th and finishing fourth.
Not the night Red Bull KTM was looking for as Aaron Plessinger and Cooper Webb both hit the deck in the main event. Plessinger exited the track holding his arm and did not finish the race. Webb fell on his own late in the race and brought home eighth.
450SX Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
20 Laps |
| 2. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
04.619 |
| 3. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
06.644 |
| 4. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
15.997 |
| 5. |
Malcom Stewart |
(Hus) |
18.695 |
| 6. |
Marvin Musquin |
(KTM) |
20.387 |
| 7. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
35.384 |
| 8. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
42.691 |
| 9. |
Dean Wilson |
(Hus) |
44.500 |
| 10. |
Shane Mcelrath |
(KTM) |
54.115 |
250SX
The front runners have established themselves as the ones to beat in 2022. The only two riders to win 250SX main events this season went at it again in Anaheim with Christian Craig and Michael Mosiman duking it out for the win. Craig ultimately got the upper hand and took his third win of the season.
Christain Craig started off the day by clocking the fastest qualifying time and both Mosiman and Craig won their respective heat races.
Vince Friese (Smartop MotoConcepts Honda) grabbed the holeshot in the main and led the first few laps ahead of Michael Mosiman. Friese ran great in the beginning of the race and eventually dropped down to third. Catastrophe struck for the Honda rider when he crashed in the whoops and was hit by a charging Jo Shimoda. Friese staggered off the track and did not finish.
Christian Craig claimed another big win in Anaheim.
Michael Mosiman took the lead from Friese after one lap and looked to be the man to beat. He proceeded to lead the next seven laps with pressure from Christian Craig behind him. Mosiman put up a quick fight when Craig passed but settled for second on the night. He stayed close for the rest of the race, finishing just under three seconds behind. After winning last weekend in San Diego, Michael has established himself as a credible threat in the 250SX class.
Michael Mosiman gave Craig a run but finished second.
Hunter Lawrence rode a quiet race for another third place finish. While Craig and Mosiman extended their lead at the front, Lawrence was “stuck” back in the top five. He stalked Vince Friese for a number of laps and eventually got the spot when Friese crashed in the whoops. The number-96 still sits second in points, 11 back from Craig.
Hunter Lawrence was another solid third.
Jo Shimoda’s seventh place finish won’t receive much credit despite a solid ride in tonight’s main. Shimoda ran just behind the duo of Friese and Lawrence for most of the main and looked to be a threat if those two made a mistake. Unfortunately when Friese fell in the whoops, Shimoda hit him and got collected in the carnage. He remounted and ultimately only lost two spots.
250SX West (Top 10)
| 1. |
Christian Craig |
(Yam) |
16 Laps |
| 2. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
02.948 |
| 3. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
16.945 |
| 4. |
Nate Thrasher |
(Yam) |
23.396 |
| 5. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Hus) |
45.865 |
| 6. |
Carson Brown |
(KTM) |
50.552 |
| 7. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
53.867 |
| 8. |
Carson Mumford |
(Suz) |
56.395 |
| 9. |
Robbie Wageman |
(Yam) |
1:01.748 |
| 10. |
Derek Kelley |
(KTM) |
1:09.971 |
QUALIFYING
The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series is back in Anaheim for the second of three times in the 2022 season. The track is very interesting with another long set of whoops a few tricky rhythm sections. Let’s get to the action.
Unfortunately Joey Savatgy and Adam Cianicarulo are both out for tonight (and the rest of the season) with knee injuries they sustained last weekend. The red plates are found on two Star Racing Yamaha’s this week, Eli Tomac in the 450SX and Christian Craig in the 250SX classes.
Chase Sexton continues his momentum after winning last weekend in San Diego. He tops the charts just 0.3 seconds faster than Marvin Musquin and 0.6 over Eli Tomac. Christian Craig again clocks the fastest lap of the 250’s. Michael Mosiman and Nate Thrasher were second and third.
Chase Sexton topped the 450SX qualifying.
Christian Craig continues his perfect qualifying streak.
QUALIFYING
450SX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
1:03.046 |
| 2. |
Marvin Musquin |
(KTM) |
1:03.385 |
| 3. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
1:03.613 |
| 4. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
1:03.671 |
| 5. |
Ken Roczen |
(Hon) |
1:03.886 |
| 6. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
1:03.941 |
| 7. |
Malcolm Stewart |
(Hus) |
1:04.430 |
| 8. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
1:04.540 |
| 9. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
1:04.666 |
| 10. |
Justin Brayton |
(Hon) |
1:04.780 |
250SX West Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Christian Craig |
(Yam) |
1:04.242 |
| 2. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
1:04.281 |
| 3. |
Nate Thrasher |
(Yam) |
1:04.704 |
| 4. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
1:04.760 |
| 5. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1:05.018 |
| 6. |
Vince Friese |
(Hon) |
1:05.317 |
| 7. |
Garrett Marchbanks |
(Yam) |
1:05.479 |
| 8. |
Robbie Wageman |
(Yam) |
1:06.221 |
| 9. |
Chris Blose |
(Yam) |
1:06.284 |
| 10. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Hus) |
1:06.516 |
Pics From The Pits
Eli Tomac is the 450SX points leader.
New threads from Troy Lee Designs for San Diego winner Michael Mosiman.
Chase Sexton heads out for qualifying.
How’s this for cool? The Suzuki pit is looking good today.
Christian Craig maintains the red plate in the 250SX class.
It’s all in the details. These custom Alpinestars Tech 10’s belong to Marvin Musquin.
The Muc-Off Club MX Yamaha Team is sporting a new look today with the ghosted zebra kit and FXR gear.
Fox had Jo Shimoda in something new.
Jerry Robin continues his stadium themed kits. This weekend’s look pays homage to the Anaheim Ducks who’s stadium is just across the street.
Robin is also rocking this very trick hydraulic clutch actuator. It reduces the “dumping” of the clutch and provides better engagement off the start.
Hunter Lawrence is wearing this Daniel Ricciardo inspired Alpinestars fit.
Ryder Difrancesco is the one to watch in the Supercross Futures division.
A Red Bull cowboy hat and an Alpinestars helmet? Aaron Plessinger must be near.
Justin Barcia’s factory GasGas MC 450F.
Mandatory classic bike shot.
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