Quick thoughts: St. Louis Supercross
250SX:
Jett Lawrence: Everyone in Australia and Europe knew Jett Lawrence was special and last night was the night he showcased his talents in America. The Aussie got a great start and was riding right behind Forkner until the half way point and didn’t even look out of his comfort zone. The Geico Honda rider made a mistake hitting the tuff blocks which allowed Cooper to get passed but he still had a comfortable podium in the bag, although he needed to make a pit-stop to untangle something in the bike. Knowing Jett he’ll be gutted not to be on the box but a fifth spot during his second ever AMA Supercross and showing the pace he did – that’s special.
Forkner takes the win: After the disappointment during the first round and a two positions penalty for cutting the track, Forkner had a much better night at round two taking the win. The American talent didn’t have it easy with Lawrence not letting him out of his sight and at one stage it looked like Cooper would catch him but credit to Forkner who stepped it up in the last five minutes of the main to take home the victory.
Cooper fast: After winning the first round at A1, Cooper would have wanted to do the same last night but a bad start made it difficult. Cooper had a similar race to what Ferrandis had last week and ended up second – even though he wasn’t able to catch up to Forkner, he’ll feel he was quicker after coming through the pack. The Star Racing Yamaha rider also looks very smooth and keeps hold of the championship lead.
Disaster for Dylan: The second round was a disaster for Dylan Ferrandis after a bad start he couldn’t avoid another rider and went down. After that he needed to make a pit stop and was down a lap. The only positive is that he went back out and even started to un-lap himself. The French talent came back through to twelfth but if he’s going to win another Supercross title he desperately needs to fix up his starts.
TLD KTM podium: The TLD KTM team came into the season with a team full of rookies but Brandon Hartranft has already repaid the faith the team showed in him by getting on the box! It’ll be a night the young American will have fund memories off when he looks back on his career.
450SX:
Roczen is back: Ken Roczen almost had a three year wait before winning a Supercross race but he made it happen last night! A good start helped and he made a few quick passes to break away at the front. After not being happy with his bike at A1, the HRC Honda team clearly done a good job to make the German feel more comfortable.
Barcia – consistent so far: The biggest challenge Justin Barcia has is to prove he has the consistency to battle for the title and so far, so good. Barcia won the opening round at A1 and backed that up with a second in St. Louis. If he can keep getting top three results he’s going to be a genuine title threat.
A much better Tomac: After the opening round at A1, Tomac wouldn’t have been happy as he didn’t show his usual pace at all. However, after a horrendous start last night down in eighteenth on the opening lap, the America showed some of the speed we know he has in his locker. The Factory Kawasaki rider didn’t take long to break into the top ten but then got stuck behind Osborne at a track that was difficult to pass. Tomac eventually made the move stick and with his team mate, Cianciarulo going down on the last lap it leapfrogged Tomac into fourth which is a good result after such a bad start. However, like Ferrandis in the 250SX class, Tomac needs to sort his starts out, it’s going to be tough coming through the pack every week!
Webb off the pace: Reigning SX champ, Cooper Webb starts the season with a flu and under the weather but still impressed at A1 getting on the podium. Unfortunately, a bad start last night made things incredibly hard for Webb. The Factory KTM rider doesn’t seem to have the blistering speed needed to come through a pack and came home in twelfth. For Webb to challenge for another SX title he’s going to need good starts. He seems more comfortable riding at the front and learning the pace.
Pic: Feld
