Making the trek to Angel Stadium is an annual custom for the AMA Supercross Championship, however this 12 months added a brand new layer of intrigue, because it was additionally the kickoff of the brand new SuperMotocross period, the place the Supercross and Professional Motocross seasons hyperlink collectively for the primary time. RJ Hampshire topped the outcomes for the Rockstar Power Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing Crew, the place robust observe circumstances introduced on by an uncommon string of wet days in Southern California made it extraordinarily difficult for all of the riders.
250SX
A part of the thriller of any season-opener is to see how all of the riders stack up, and the evening began off in one of the best ways doable for RJ Hampshire, with a win in his warmth race full of proficient title contenders. When the gate dropped for the 250SX Most important Occasion, Hampshire began off within the fourth place, however methodically moved ahead. With lower than two minutes left to go, he moved into the second spot and completed barely over 5 seconds behind the highest spot.
“Man, we had an superior day,” Hampshire stated. “From begin to end we had been strong. I felt like my driving was actually good. My begins had been first rate, and it was a strong begin to the season with a P2. We’ll take it and lead into Oakland. Hopefully, we are able to do it once more.”
450SX
Malcolm Stewart skilled just a little little bit of the whole lot through the 450SX Most important Occasion. Nearing the midway level, he took benefit of a bobble by final season’s champion and took over the lead for a number of laps. Later, contact with one other rider compelled him off the observe. Within the closing phases of the principle, he had a crash that dropped him to the again of the pack. However even with the robust end, he was left with a optimistic impression firstly of the season.
“The day began out fairly sluggish. I didn’t actually journey that properly in observe and the observe was fairly robust, however I obtained to a degree the place I used to be like, ‘You recognize what? I simply want to show this dayaround,’ as a result of I felt like I work too arduous to get thus far,” Stewart stated. “I obtained an honest begin in the principle occasion, and simply did the very best I may. I began driving, clicking off laps, making some good passes, and sensible decisions. I used to be main the principle for some time, which was wonderful. I don’t suppose I’ve finished that in my complete total profession. Simply having all that strain and coping with it, if something brings confidence to me as a result of I do know the place I belong. I’m very happy with myself. Sadly, we did have a crash with three laps to go. It was an enormous crash for positive. I’m glad that I’m wholesome and walked away from it, so we reside to battle one other day and I’m extra happy with myself due to how my day was going and me turning it round and going like that, and doing what I’m presupposed to do exactly brings extra confidence for me. I’m trying ahead to Oakland.”
For the latest member of the Rockstar Power Husqvarna group, Christian Craig, it was a tricky option to begin the season, ending thirteenth on the evening within the 450 class.
“A1’s finished and it was a tough day for me,” Craig stated. “I began off good in observe after which had a fairly large crash within the whoops and from there on out it was a battle. I rode tight and never like myself. I’m fairly annoyed with the evening, however we’re wholesome, we’re shifting on, and solely up from right here. I’ve simply started working on beginning up entrance and placing myself in a superb place to battle extra subsequent week.”
Subsequent Occasion (Spherical 2): 1/14/23 – RingCentral Coliseum
Spherical 1 Outcomes: Anaheim, California
250SX West – Most important Occasion
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
2. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Power Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing
3. Cameron Mcadoo (Kawasaki)
450SX – Most important Occasion
1. Eli Tomac (Yamaha)
2. Cooper Webb (KTM)
3. Chase Sexton (Honda)
…
13. Christian Craig – Rockstar Power Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing
22. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Power Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing
450SX Championship Standings – After Spherical 1
1. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 26 pts
2. Cooper Webb (KTM) 23 pts
3. Chase Sexton (Honda) 21 pts
…
13. Christian Craig – Rockstar Power Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing, 10 pts
22. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Power Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing, 1 pts
250SX West Championship Standings – After Spherical 1
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 26 pts
2. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Power Husqvarna Manufacturing facility Racing, 23 pts
3. Cameron Mcadoo (Kawasaki) 21 pts
