Red Bull/KTM Factory Team rider Andrew Short continues to inch closer to a top five finish each round of the AMA Supercross Series. This weekend he finished just one spot shy of the top five as he crossed the finish line in 6^th place marking his best finish this season on his KTM 350 SX-F.

The day started off well for Short as he had two good practice sessions, turning laps closer to the top runners than he had in the previous four rounds. “I felt like this track suited the 350 really well and it showed through the improvements in my lap time,” remarked Short.

Short and his teammate, Mike Alessi, were both placed in the second SX heat. Short got off to a decent start rounding the first corner in 4^th position with Alessi back in 9^th. Short continued to hold 4^th place through the first half of the heat while getting heavily pressured by Chad Reed. Around the fifth lap Reed was able to move around Short and take over 4^th position. Short remained close to Reed through the finish and ended up qualifying 5^th overall while Alessi moved up one spot from his starting position to qualify 8^th.

Both Red Bull/KTM riders were feeling confident as they headed to the line for the main event. Alessi, who had struggled the past few rounds, was able to find his secret starting power as the gate dropped and he put his KTM into the top three around the first corner. “I actually didn’t get the best jump off the line but I was able to quickly sneak underneath a bunch of guys and then nobody did the first rhythm section that I was able to and it helped me jump out front early,” stated Alessi.

While Alessi was working away out front, Short was busy picking off riders from his mid-pack start. “I believe I was about 10^th or 11^th around the first corner and just went to work straight away. I have been taking too long to make my moves in the past so I really focused on trying to make passes earlier this week,” remarked Short.

After not qualifying the week prior Alessi was turning heads as he ran inside the top five for the first six laps. Around the halfway point Alessi began to tire and started dropping back. Meanwhile Short was continuing to pick up the pace and was battling for 5^th with Trey Canard and Kyle Chisholm. When Chisholm went down he left the battle to Canard and Short. Canard was able to make the pass on Short and Short settled into 6^th place. Short would maintain his pace throughout the remaining laps to cross the checkers in 6^th overall just one spot shy of the top five while Alessi finished 12^th overall.

“Today was a good day. My practice, my heat and the main event all went well. I felt strong all day and the track really suited the 350. It definitely feels good to make steps forward and I feel like I am inching closer to where I know I can be,” remarked Short after the race.

“I was glad I got a good start in the main event today and was able to run the pace of the top guys for a while. I fell off the pace around the halfway mark and just need to work on improving my conditioning,” stated Alessi. “I brought my trainer back this week and I credit my improved results to his return. I hope to continue this trend and push toward a top ten finish at the next few rounds.”

 

Next Event: Houston, TX – February 12, 2011

Overall Results SX:

1. James Stewart
2. Ryan Villopoto
3. Chad Reed
4. Justin Brayton
5. Trey Canard
6. Andrew Short – KTM
7. Ivan Tedesco
8. Kevin Windham
9. Brett Metcalfe
10. David Millsaps
11. Kyle Regal
12. Mike Alessi – KTM
13. Matt Boni
14. Kyle Chisholm
15. Nick Wey
16. Jason Thomas
17. Chris Blose
18. Tye Simmonds – KTM
19. Fabien Izoird
20. Ryan Dungey

Overall Point Standings SX:

1. James Stewart – 117
2. Ryan Villopoto – 112
3. Chad Reed – 90
4. Trey Canard – 87
5. Ryan Dungey – 79
6. Brett Metcalfe – 67
7. Andrew Short – 64
8. Kevin Windham – 59
9. Justin Brayton – 57
10. Ivan Tedesco – 48