Corona, Calif. (January 17, 2011) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen earned his second win of the season at Round 2 of the AMA Supercross Lites Western Region series at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. Teammate Broc Tickle shot out to another main event holeshot on his Pro Circuit-backed Kawasaki KX™250F and finished second, while Tyla Rattray ended the night in sixth.
Hansen continued to show maturity on a difficult Phoenix track, waiting patiently to make a move around his teammate Tickle. After capitalizing on a tip-over by Tickle, Hansen rode steady to his second win in as many races.
“It feels good to get another win,” said Hansen. “I’ve really wanted to give back to my team and the people that are behind me. When I was in second, I knew that I had to be smart because Phoenix was a track that you couldn’t over ride. It was definitely tricky and I was able to pass when Broc went down. He was riding well and I know it would have been a battle if I ended up going in for a pass.”
In his second race with the new team, Tickle’s boost in confidence has put him in the hunt for his first career championship. After his second-place finish in Phoenix, Tickle sits just six points back from teammate Hansen.
“I’ve been feeling good, but making small mistakes that have cost me,” said Tickle. “I know that I am riding well and eventually the wins will come. I wasn’t feeling 100 percent, so I’m happy to be back on the podium.”
Rattray earned his first heat win of his supercross career in Phoenix, despite riding with a sprained wrist he endured from a practice crash. He kept up with the front-runners for most of the main event and finished just outside of the top-five in sixth.
“Coming into Phoenix, I was really just trying to get through the weekend,” said Rattray. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to ride after my crash, but my wrist has been feeling better every day. I think sixth was pretty good considering it was hard to hold on the last five laps of the main.”
With his team sitting 1, 2, and 3 in the points standings after two rounds, team owner Mitch Payton is pleased to see his team doing well.
“I’m really happy with our guys so far,” said Payton. “Everything went great in Phoenix. Josh is riding great. Broc could have possible won since he was really fast tonight. Tyla is making great progress for riding in only his second supercross race and I expect more from him next week.”
The next event takes the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team to Los Angeles and Dodger Stadium for the third round of the Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM Championship.
