Practice Report: San Francisco

Practice is complete here in San Francisco, the fourth stop on the Monster Energy Supercross tour. Practice and qualifying were scaled back so the track crew could have more time to work on the track, which had taken on a lot of rain coming in. The riders got one free practice and one timed session today, instead of the normal two timed sessions.

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A lot of people are wondering if the absence of James Stewart and Chad Reed might fire some riders up, and, well, it looks like it might. GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham was pushing it in the timed practice today, and he ended up on top of the board with a 53.006 That’s a big statement from K-Dub, who no doubt, once again, sees this as possibly his last, best chance to win races and contend for that elusive supercross title.

Points leader Ryan Dungey was second fastest with a 53.337, followed by Ryan Villopoto with a 53.338. That’s, yes, just one one thousandth of a second between Ryan and Ryan, and it’s also worth noting that Villopoto was out logging fast lap times right off the bat, and he was on top of the board for most of the session until Windham and Dungey found their groove late. Villopoto said he made some changes to the forks on his bike this week and hopes to step up this weekend.

Andrew Short came in next with a 53.920, followed by Josh Hill with a 53.946. Next came Davi Millsaps with a 53.947, Justin Brayton with a 54.003 and Ivan Tedesco with a 54.074. New Monster Kawasaki recruit Nick Wey, on Chad Reed’s bike, was ninth with a 54.689 followed by Grant Langston with a 54.985.

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The track looks amazing considering all the rain. To look at it, you can barely tell there was any rain this week at all. A few riders have reported that it’s a little one-lined, but the good news is all of the obstacles that were originally intended to be used are still out there, the rain hasn’t tamed the track at all. 

In Lites, Josh Hansen logged the fastest time for the second-straight week, with 53.749. Wil Hahn was next with a 54.299, followed by Broc Tickle (54.343), Jake Weimer (54.390) and Trey Canard (54.595).

Next comes Travis Baker (54.965), Blake Wharton (55.512), Cole Seely (55.542), Max Anstie (55.590) and Phil Nicoletti (55.668).

That’s the story here. Riders stepping up, Dungey trying to remain on top, and a perfect race track where it will all go down.