Irvine, Calif. (February 3, 2013) – Monster Energy AMA Supercross returned to Anaheim on Saturday night for the third and final stop to Angel Stadium and Round 5 of 17. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos accomplished his best finish of the season landing in second in the 250SX main event. After a heat race win, Davalos got a great start in the main event and chased the leader for the entire 15 laps to score his second podium of the season. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Villopoto overcame a pile up on the first lap to finish eighth and remain in the championship hunt. Teammate Jake Weimer was also caught up in a first lap crash and was unable to finish the main event, while Tyla Rattray encountered problems and was unable to qualify for the main event.
Making the Next Step
After finishing one step off the podium last weekend in Oakland, Davalos was determined to return his KX™250F to the podium in Anaheim. He traded fastest lap times throughout the day in qualifying and came out flying in his heat race. Davalos got the holeshot and rode to victory in the heat race to give himself first gate pick for the main event. When the gate dropped, he tucked around the first turn and came out in third place. Davalos quickly made a pass into second and began his hunt for the leader. He chipped away at the gap, narrowing it to one second, but could not find a place to close in and make a move. Davalos finished second and moved into fourth overall in the points standings.
“I felt really good out there all day today,” said Davalos. “I worked hard on my starts all week and it paid off tonight. I was being a little too cautious at the end and was riding on the edge of the track to try and find better lines. I’m happy with second. We’re constantly looking to improve and will head to San Diego and look to head into the break on a high note.”
Still in the Hunt
Villopoto was calm and confident heading back to Angel Stadium for the final time this season and threw down fast laps all day. In his heat race he was shuffled towards the back of the field off the start and had his work cut out for him. The track forced Villopoto to be very smooth and select his passing spots carefully, finishing fifth. For the main event, he got a great start on his KX™450F, but two turns later was caught in a pile up. Then on the third lap, Villopoto again was caught up and had to work his way through most of the field. Playing catch up once again, Villopoto progressively picked off riders and finished inside the top-10 in eighth. The defending champion remains in fourth overall in the points standings just 17 points from the leader.
“Tonight was a frustrating result,” said Villopoto. “We felt really good all day and in the main event, I got about a fourth place start but that all went away when a rider came and took us all high in the next berm. The track was really tough to pass on, but we were able to salvage some good points.”
On the Rebound
After sitting out last week due to illness, Weimer returned to Anaheim ready to race. He quietly rode to sixth place in his heat race and looked to be close to his old speed. In the main event he rounded the first turn within the top-10, but suffered a crash along the first baseline section, forcing him out of the race. Weimer will look to return in San Diego and is currently 10th overall in the points standings.
Remaining Focused
Rattray had a difficult night, which began in the heat race. After battling for position in the opening laps, the South African came together hard with another rider. Although he did not crash, the collision sheared the bolts off his front brake caliper forcing him out of the race. He lined up for the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) among many other top riders who suffered back luck in the heat races. The LCQ only takes two riders to the main event and Rattray was not able to make a pass for second and finished third, ending his night. Rattray sits 12th in the points standings.
The Home of Supercross
Saturday marked the 60th time Monster Energy AMA Supercross has taken over the field at Angel Stadium. Over 40,000 fans were treated to another suspenseful night of racing. Unusual overcast skies throughout the day kept the track from drying out and made for superior racing conditions. Villopoto remains the only rider to have won more than one main event this season in the 450SX class.
Exiting California
Next weekend Monster Energy AMA Supercross heads to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif., for Round 6. San Diego marks the last West Region race before the season switches over the East Region.
Results
Monster Energy AMA Supercross – Round 5
Angel Stadium – Anaheim, Calif.
February 2, 2013
Western Regional 250SX Main Event
1. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
2. MARTIN DAVALOS, CAIRO, GA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki
6. Travis Baker, Romoland, Calif., Yamaha
7. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., KTM
8. Austin Politelli, Menifee, Calif., Honda
9. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Suzuki
10. Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
Western Regional 250SX Points Standings
1. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 116
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 96
3. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 89
4. MARTIN DAVALOS, CAIRO, GA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 70
5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 68
6. Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 68
7. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha, 67
8. Christian Craig, Wildomar, Calif., Honda, 54
9. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., KTM, 52
10. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., 49
12.TYLA RATTRAY, WILDOMAR, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 45
450SX Main Event
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
3. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
5. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
7. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
8. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
9. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki
10. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
20. JAKE WEIMER, TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
450SX Points Standings
1. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 107
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 93
3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 92
4. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 90
5. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda, 81
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 71
7. Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 61
8. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 56
9. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 53
10. JAKE WEIMER, TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 48
