Both practice sessions (free practice was eliminated due to wet conditions) are in the books here in CenturyLink Field in Seattle, but the only session that really mattered was the first, as the rain fell steadily for about thirty minutes in between the sessions, increasing times dramatically in the second practice.
GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac picked up where he left off before the break by setting the fastest time in session one, followed by Zach Osborne (54.929), Cole Seely (54.939), Kyle Cunningham (54.941), Jason Anderson (54.941), Martin Davalos (54.950) and Ken Roczen (55.143). Check out how close spots two through six were!
The 450 guys, although not bunched as tightly as the top 250 guys, were pretty close as well. Ryan Dungey was fastest with a 54.074, followed by Justin Barcia (54.559), Ryan Villopoto (54.716), Trey Canard (55.021), Jake Weimer (55.137) and Josh Hill (55.224). Chad Reed was ninth fastest with a 55.609. Ben LaMay, who will be riding a Factory Yamaha this summer in Lucas Oil Motocross, put together some great laps and ended up eleventh in this session with a 56.376. James Stewart injured his wrist last week in Minneapolis and will not be racing any supercross for the rest of the season.
Dungey was fastest when it was dry.
Cudby Photo
Even though times in the second practice were slower, thus irrelevant, it was still an opportunity for the guys to get a look at the wet conditions they’ll be facing later tonight. It was also entertaining to watch the guys attempt to click off hot laps in the sloppy conditions. The track wasn’t a complete mess, there wasn’t any standing water, but it was still extremely slippery, and was punishing guys who insisted on pushing the limit. Joey Savatgy, Ryan Sipes, Malcolm Stewart, Ken Roczen, Cole Seely and more all took dirt samples. Anderson was fastest for most of the second session, but Tomac snuck in a heater near the end to take the fastest time once again with a 57.034, followed by Anderson (57.251), Ken Roczen (57.460), Osborne (58.072) and Sipes (59.587).
Wet? Dry? It didn't matter for Tomac, who was fastest in both sessions.
Cudby Photo
In the final 450 session Ryan Villopoto went on the attack immediately, but seemed to back it off slightly after a sketchy moment when he slipped, went off the track and nearly smashed into a flagger. Millsaps, who is excellent in the mud, charged hard nearly the entire time. He topped Villopoto’s time a few laps in and proceeded to beat his own time several times, with his best lap, a 57.322, occurring on his last lap out. Barcia was second (57.557), followed by Villopoto (57.866), Canard 58.501, Brayton 58.649, Dungey 58.784, Hill (59.282).
The rain has continued to fall after practice and conditions are going to be tough and unpredictable. It’s going to be a good one here in Seattle. The race isn’t live tonight, so be especially sure to check back here often and follow us on Twitter, @racerxonline, to stay updated on the racing action.
