SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Two-time 450SX champion Cooper Webb has made it two podiums in a row to start the 2023 AMA Supercross Championship, the Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing rider claiming a convincing runner-up end in San Diego using the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. Premier class teammate Aaron Plessinger charged to ninth place within the Primary Occasion, recovering from a tough begin to salvage a top-10 end.
Webb certified third quickest on mixed instances through the afternoon and carried that kind to earn fifth place in his Warmth, however it was the Primary Occasion the place he introduced all of it collectively within the second cease of the brand new SuperMotocross World Championship. The 27-year-old made a robust begin into P2 through the early laps, earlier than making his method into the lead by the tip of lap 4. He was bumped again a spot on the next lap and that’s the place he would stay, with second repeating his outcome from Anaheim’s opener two weeks prior.
Cooper Webb: “Tonight was good, I bought off the beginning sturdy and that was key in the way in which the monitor developed. I used to be capable of lead some laps, which was cool, however the tempo was fairly sturdy and I made a number of errors in the midst of the race. The lapped riders helped me in the long run to edge nearer to Eli [Tomac] and it was fairly hectic with all that occurring, so it was a good end, however total I’m proud of how the season has began and am seeking to push ahead from right here. It was optimistic for me to see what it takes to win at this level of the 12 months, being so shut tonight, so we’ll study from the few errors and preserve preventing on.”
Additionally outfitted with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Plessinger solely managed to qualify in 14th, earlier than shortly turning that round in his Warmth race for sixth place regardless of being caught up in an early incident. The opening lap of the Primary Occasion noticed him positioned outdoors of the highest 15 within the early phases, nonetheless, he put his head down and made a collection of crucial passes from there. Ultimately, Plessinger made his method into ninth place to take dwelling necessary championship factors two rounds into the brand new season.
Aaron Plessinger: “San Diego was a difficult day for me, even when the outcome was near spherical one. Though apply didn’t go as deliberate, I used to be using good within the Warmth race, bought a fairly good begin, after which bought caught up in a crash that I couldn’t keep away from, so got here from useless final to sixth in that. Within the Primary Occasion, I bought a horrible begin and labored my method again to ninth, which isn’t what we wished, however we’ll get higher as we go. I’ve to deal with begins this week and are available out swinging once we head again to Anaheim.”
The third of Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing’s common 450SX contenders, Marvin Musquin, was dominated out of the San Diego spherical following an premature mid-week apply crash that resulted in a wrist damage.
Sadly for Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing 250SX West rider Maximus Vohland, mishaps in each his Warmth race and the Final Probability Qualifier meant he was unable to switch by to the Primary Occasion. Vohland certified in eighth place through the afternoon, earlier than a primary flip incident upon the restarted first Warmth noticed him cross the road in thirteenth place. From there, he recovered from a poor begin within the LCQ to make his method right into a switch place, solely to go down within the remaining laps and end in P8 onboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. Now twelfth within the level standings, Vohland will look to return stronger subsequent weekend at Anaheim 2.
Maximus Vohland: “Timed qualifying went properly, being inside the highest eight. Within the first Warmth race I had a really dangerous begin, made my method as much as sixth, after which the purple flag got here out. On the restart I crashed within the first flip and, with solely two laps to go, I used to be outdoors of the highest 9 and needed to go to the LCQ. Within the final likelihood, I labored my method as much as a qualifying place, however then made a mistake on the final lap and went down, sadly placing me out of the primary. In fact, I’m very disillusioned, however I’m wholesome and can be again at A2″
Subsequent Race: January 28 – Anaheim, California
Outcomes 450SX Class – San Diego
1. Eli Tomac (USA), Yamaha, 25 laps
2. Cooper Webb (USA), KTM, +1.148
3. Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS, +10.251
OTHER KTM
9. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM
13. Justin Hill (USA), KTM
Standings 450SX Class 2023 after 2 of 17 rounds
1. Eli Tomac, 52 factors
2. Cooper Webb, 46
3. Chase Sexton, 39
OTHER KTM
9. Aaron Plessinger, 29
13. Justin Hill, 18
16. Marvin Musquin, 11
Outcomes 250SX West Class – San Diego
1. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 19 laps
2. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna, +3.613
3. Cameron McAdoo (USA), Kawasaki, +4.871s
OTHER KTM
9. Derek Kelley (USA), KTM
12. Joshua Varize (USA), KTM
DNS. Maximus Vohland (USA), KTM
Standings 250SX West Class 2023 after 2 of 9 rounds
1. Jett Lawrence, 52 factors
2. RJ Hampshire, 46
3. Cameron Mcadoo, 42
OTHER KTM
8. Derek Kelley, 27
12. Maximus Vohland, 18
18. Joshua Varize, 11
