The only Canadian round in Monster Energy Supercross, the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada hosted a ton of supercross hungry Canadians tonight. And they got what they wanted in a really tough track that broke down (providing even more challenge to the racers) and a great race up front but in the end, a predictable winner.
Mid way through the race, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto grabbed the lead from Rockstar Racing’s Davi Millsaps and went on for his fourth straight win and adding to his points lead. It was a perfect track for RV in the fact that it was a bit outdoors-ish and allowed him to really attack it and blow apart the berms. He worked on Millsaps a few times to no success before finally jamming his way past. Villopoto is on a roll and there might not be anyone who can stop him.
Before the race, Team Two-Two’s Chad Reed announced that he’s undergoing some small knee surgery in the off-week. Despite that, he snatched the lead from Villopoto after the first turn, then fought off MIllsaps to lead for a lap. From there he was up into third, then fourth, and back into third before finally settling for a fourth in a very good ride for the Aussie. When will he be back? Well that’s yet to be determined with some saying he won’t miss a race, some saying he may and others saying he’ll pack it in until the outdoors. It’s not a major surgery but then again, when is surgery minor?
Anyone stopping this guy? Didn't look that way here.
Simon Cudby photos
And the Marv Attack is rolling along, too.
It was Davi Millsaps’ best race in a month as he lead for a while and then made it hard for RV to hold him off. After the race the Rockstar Energy Racing rider indicated that he can finally ride during the week (he’s been nursing a bum knee) and he credited that fact for getting back on the podium and his improved riding. Still, he lost three more points to RV and the gap is twelve now.
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey ended up third and it was one of those could’ve, should’ve, would’ve rides. He closed up on Villopoto and Millsaps and was right there for the win when he appeared to stall his KTM. That was it, Reed got back around him and the top two were gone. He forced his way by Reed for a second time but there was no chance of catching the leaders.
In the 250’s, Dungey’s teammate Marvin Musquin won his third straight race with a wire-to-wire ride. It was also a bit unexpected as Musquin had a rough practice with a few crashes. Great ride for the Frenchman and he’s firmly in this title hunt as he closed up some points on second place GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn.
Hahn had a heat race crash cost him some spots there, and his gate pick was a little further outside than ideal. He came into the first turn in a decent position, but having to work the middle of the turn instead of the inside cost him. He started fifth while Musquin grabbed the lead, and simply didn’t have time to make a race for the win.
A terrible season for Monster Pro Circuit got worse when their only rider in Toronto, Justin Hill, had Smart Top/MotoConcepts Gavin Faith land on him and knock him out of the race. That was it for PC on this night. When it rains, it pours.
Hahn was too far back to make a run at Marvin.
Friese is now top five in East 250 SX points, but not without a crazy finish on this night.
Cudby photos
Hey look at this, the hometown Canadian SX fans had two and a half Canadians to cheer for tonight. Privateers Cole Thompson and (born in Canada, moved to the USA when he was seven-ish) David Buller made the main event. Thompson had a strong race and appeared to have fifth after a collision at the finish with Vince Friese but was moved back down to sixth based on the official results at the finish (they crashed into each other at the base of the jump). Thompson still had his career-best finish while Buller, in his very first main event, was a ways back. Another Canadian racing was Nicky Beatty who made his very first night show but was unable to make the main. After years of not having any home country riders to cheer for, the fans had some good ones tonight.
Muscle Milk Honda’s Trey Canard wasn’t able to make it here this year after his Indianapolis crash. He’s out with a concussion.
Canard’s teammate Justin Barcia basically rode by himself most of the main event after getting by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer. And while it was a good race for Justin, he didn’t get the start he needed. Weimer’s race was one of his best since returning to the series from broken ribs a month ago.
Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart won another heat race and in the main he was right there in fifth before losing the draft of the top three. He was on his arch-rival Reed and looking for a way past when he stalled it in a turn. It was a so-so night for Stewart on a track that seemed to favor him.
Star Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin rebounded from a poor Indianapolis with a great ride in Toronto. Not getting the start that he wanted to have, Martin ripped through the pack and was all over Wharton for the final spot for most of the last five laps. He wasn’t able to make the pass but it wasn’t for a lack of effort, as he was close enough to try one last block-pass on Wharton in the final corner. Martin was very good in Toronto.
A season best fifth place for Tuf/Slaton Racing’s Vince Friese moved him into the fifth spot in the points in the 250SX east series.
GEICO Honda’s Zach Bell wasn’t able to line up for the night show after crashing in practice and appearing to favor his shouder/arm.