Monster Energy Supercross has returned to the Motor City for the first time since 2008. Practice has wrapped up inside Ford Field in the heart of Detroit, Michigan, with Discount Tire/TwoTwo Motorsports fill-in rider Dean Wilson setting the fastest lap in the second 450SX timed session, but it wasn’t enough to top Monster Energy Kawasaki Ryan Villopoto’s first timed session of 54.687. Points leader Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo was at the head of the class in 250SX.
Lot’s of news on the injury front leading into Detroit. GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac will miss his second consecutive race after aggravating a previous shoulder injury in Daytona. Also out with a shoulder injury is CycleTrader.com Rock River Yamaha’s Kyle Chisholm. Rockstar KTM’s Ivan Tedesco is also sidelined for the night with an injured finger. In 250SX, GEICO Honda’s Blake Wharton is out after tweaking his knee earlier in the week. In addition, the Factory Metal Works/Club MX rookie Jace Owen is out.
In a nod to the Pontiac races of yesteryear, Detroit will feature a section that runs in the stands. Although, it has become very one-lined, with every rider hugging the inside corner. In practice, the track was providing little separation. While there are consecutive whoop sections, they are very short—each running six deep. The three rhythm sections provided the same lines early, with little indication that things will change tonight.
Wilson was en fuego in the second timed practice. This on the heels of setting the fastest time last week in Daytona and winning his heat race over James Stewart, before fading down the stretch in the main. Last week’s troubles seem to be a distant thought as Wilson laid down a 55.073 to set the third fastest time in 450SX. James Stewart’s first timed session of 54.888 was good enough for second, with Ken Roczen (55.121) and Justin Barcia (55.458) rounding out the top five.
Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin once again looked great in practice, setting the pace early. But Adam Cianciarulo was fastest with a 55.770. Cianciarulo’s teammate, and fellow title contender, Martin Davalos was third fastest in 250SX, but suffered a huge crash late in the second practice. He was able to collect himself after a few minutes and walked off the track under his own power. After falling off the podium for the first time in the last three rounds at Daytona, GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle was back in form today, setting the second fastest lap with a 56.025. The aforementioned Martin (56.446) and privateer Jimmy Decotis (56.597) would round out the top five.
Due to coverage of the Pac-12 and Big East basketball tournaments, tonight’s action will air on delay on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 11:30 Eastern. Be sure to follow Racer X on Twitter and Instagram (@racerxonline) for coverage from Detroit.
