Cycle News Staff | January 15, 2022
If you thought the 2022 season was going to be predictable, you’d be wrong. Round two of the Monster Energy Supercross Series proved to be anything but predictable with riders on their new colors taking the top spots. Jason Anderson and Christian Craig are the two big winners from the RingCentral Coliseum.
450SX Main Event
Jason Anderson is back. The newly-signed Monster Energy Kawasaki rider started second in the main and quickly made his way around Kawi teammate Cianciarulo. From there Anderson clicked off 18 consistent laps and claimed the win. This is only his second start with the Kawasaki team and his first win since Atlanta 2018. The number-21 rider jumps to second in the standings after scoring maximum points here in Oakland.
Anderson wins for the first time since 2018. Photo: BDW
Aaron Plessinger is another rider showing promise on a new team. AP got a great start in the main event and moved into second after passing Cianciarulo. The number-seven KTM rider was uber-consistent but just didn’t have enough tonight to catch Anderson up front. Plessinger scores a second on the night in his second start with the Red Bull KTM Team.
Who would’ve picked Justin Barcia to be the most consistent rider of 2022? The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas rider took home another third place tonight, going three-three to start the season. Another solid start and smart passes earned him the final spot on the podium. Barcia said he got tight half-way through the main but managed to hold off a charging Eli Tomac. Barcia leaves Oakland with the points lead.
Eli Tomac had his best showing to date on the Star Racing Yamaha. The number-three was the fastest qualifier, heat race winner, and logged the fastest lap of the main event. Despite that, he could only salvage a fourth tonight. This is only Eli’s second start on the Yamaha and he continues to improve with each gate drop.
Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) grabbed the holeshot in tonight’s 450 main event. AC is still dealing with a grade three AC shoulder separation but showed he has what it takes to run up front. He led the first three laps but as the race wore on his injury proved to be problematic and Adam eventually finished 11th.
Ken Roczen had a night he’d rather forget. After a scary crash in the afternoon qualifying session, Roczen again hit the deck in the whoops during the main event. The round one winner fell back to 16th and never seemed to regain his early race speed. He seemed to be stuck in the middle of the pack for the majority of the main and logged a 13th on the night. This drops him down to fifth in the points after a stellar A1.
Oakland 450SX podium.
450SX Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
21 laps |
| 2. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
03.366 |
| 3. |
Justin Barcia |
(GG) |
06.165 |
| 4. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
09.919 |
| 5. |
Malcom Stewart |
(Hus) |
13.951 |
| 6. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
14.779 |
| 7. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
16.649 |
| 8. |
Marvin Musquin |
(KTM) |
34.013 |
| 9. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
37.714 |
| 10. |
Dean Wilson |
(Hus) |
48.582 |
250SX West Main Event
Christian Craig continues his perfect season again in Oakland. The number-28 Yamaha rider posted the fastest qualifying time, the heat race win, and the main event victory. Christian jumped first after Jo Shimoda stalled while leading. After taking the lead, it was game over for the rest of the 250 field. Craig is certainly the man to beat in the 250SX West Coast division.
Craig is two-for-two in ’22.
Hunter Lawrence improved one position from A1, clinching second in Oakland. The Honda rider had another mid-pack start but capitalized on a multitude of mistakes from other riders. With his consistency, Lawrence moved into podium territory and eventually passed Hammaker for second in the tricky whoop section. Lawrence and Hammaker are now tied for second in points.
Seth Hammaker landed on the box again at round two. The young Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider ran up front in the early parts of the race and looked to have second place locked up at one point. A few late-race mistakes allowed Lawrence to close in and snatch second away, but Hammaker still landed a third. His two-for-two podiums show great consistency early on in 2022.
Michael Mosiman (TLD Red Bull GasGas) showed great potential at the start of the night with a heat race win in front of his hometown crowd. He got another good start and was in the mix during the early parts of the main. The number-29 washed the front end and hit the ground again tonight, a sight that’s become all too familiar for Mosiman. Fourth on the night was a solid showing but likely not what he had in mind.
Hammaker’s teammate Jo Shimoda grabbed the early holeshot and led the first few laps of tonight’s main. Unfortunately, the number-30 stalled the bike while leading and crashed later on in the whoops. The Japanese youngster got up unscathed and crossed the line seventh. His mistakes continue to overshadow his raw speed and potential.
250SX West (Top 10)
| 1. |
Christian Craig |
(Yam) |
16 Laps |
| 2. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
05.698 |
| 3. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
09.954 |
| 4. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
14.809 |
| 5. |
Nate Thrasher |
(Yam) |
23.244 |
| 6. |
Vince Friese |
(GG) |
40.386 |
| 7. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
49.493 |
| 8. |
Garrett Marchbanks |
(Yam) |
52.899 |
| 9. |
Chris Blose |
(GG) |
54.645 |
| 10. |
Robbie Wageman |
(Yam) |
58.012 |
Qualifying Results
Oakland marks round two of the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Series. Big news leading into today is from Colt Nichols and Jalek Swoll as both 250 riders won’t line up after injuries sustained during round one. Justin Brayton tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday and can not race due to Supercross protocol. Brayton’s team mate, Mitchell Oldenburg, also announced that his two children are home sick and he’s elected to sit out round two. Let’s check in on the morning action.
The track is soft and rutting up nicely in the early sessions. Recent moisture on the west coast is certainly playing a factor again as it did at round one. This and the minute-long lap times will surely play out for some close racing tonight.
Eli Tomac nabbed the pole position in the 450’s. He narrowly edged out team mate Dylan Ferrandis and the current number-one of Cooper Webb. Round one winner, Ken Roczen had a big get off during the second 450 practice. He fell right in front of team mate Sexton who practically ran over Roczen’s head. He looks to be okay and finished the session in eighth.
Eli Tomac qualified first in 450’s. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Christian Craig holds the red plate in the 250SX West class. He grabbed the top spot in qualifying for the second week in a row and was the only 250 rider to crack the 59 second mark. Michael Mosiman looks fast again this week. Oakland is his home town crowd, so be sure to keep an eye on the GasGas rider tonight. Nate Thrasher jumped into the top three late in the session. Thrasher certainly has the speed but tagging the gate at Anaheim didn’t help him at all.
Christian Craig qualified first for the second week in a row. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
450SX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
59.108 |
| 2. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
59.180 |
| 3. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
59.256 |
| 4. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
59.380 |
| 5. |
Marvin Musquin |
(KTM) |
59.534 |
| 6. |
Malcolm Stewart |
(Hon) |
59.838 |
| 7. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
59.932 |
| 8. |
Ken Roczen |
(Hon) |
1:00.224 |
| 9. |
Dean Wilson |
(Hus) |
1:00.290 |
| 10. |
Shane McElrath |
(KTM) |
1:00.481 |
250SX West Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Christian Craig |
(Yam) |
59.510 |
| 2. |
Michael Mosiman |
(GG) |
1:00.302 |
| 3. |
Nate Thrasher |
(Yam) |
1:00.709 |
| 4. |
Seth Hammaker |
(Kaw) |
1:00.738 |
| 5. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1:00.913 |
| 6. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
1:01.154 |
| 7. |
Garrett Marchbanks |
(Yam) |
1:01.564 |
| 8. |
Chris Blose |
(GG) |
1:01.842 |
| 9. |
Vince Friese |
(Hon) |
1:03.131 |
| 10. |
Robbie Wageman |
(Yam) |
1:03.523 |
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