Team Suzuki Press Office – March 17. RCH Racing Suzuki’s Broc Tickle battled through the pain barrier to finish 11th in Saturday’s Indianapolis Supercross at Lucas Oil Stadium with a broken finger.
The Dodge/ Sycuan Casino/ RCH Racing/ Bel-Ray/ Suzuki Z450 rider maintained his 100% record by qualifying for his 11th consecutive 450cc class Main Event, but got caught-up in a first turn incident that that broke his ‘pinky’ and put him at the back of the field.
Tickle and team mate Josh Hill – now getting back on the pace and recording his best finish after returning from injury at the opening round at Anaheim – both had poor gate selections for the 20-lap Main, making the race start even more critical. When the gate dropped, the charge to Turn 1 ended in a multi-rider mishap which collected Tickle, although Hill managed to avoid the incident.
Tickle’s ride turned out to be impressive considering the Michigan native gave up 17 spots to the leaders on the opening lap. But he methodically carved through the field, working his way to 11th at the flag.
Said Tickle: “I had a good jump in the Main Event and tried to stick the Suzuki in there, but got hit and crashed in the first corner. From there, it was like starting last. I had to fight my way all the way back through the field. I felt like I rode pretty well tonight. I liked the track and I had a lot of confidence all day.”
Tickle’s finish keeps the first-year RCH rider 10th in rider points, three shy of ninth-place.
“I’m pretty pumped,” said Hill of his season-best finish. “I had a great start and thought that I had a holeshot when the gate dropped. I went for it; I went for broke. I tried to cut-off the top side or go down trying. I’m tired of riding around 16th and just pinned it going into Turn 1.”
The AMA/ FIM World Supercross series now heads north of the border next weekend for Round 12 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario in Canada.
450cc SX Main Event Results: 1. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki), 2. Ryan Dungey (KTM), 3. James Stewart (Yoshimura Suzuki), 4. Davi Millsaps (Rockstar Energy Suzuki), 5. Justin Barcia (Honda), 6. Chad Reed (Honda), 7. Andrew Short (KTM), 8. Matt Goerke (KTM), 9. Eli Tomac (Honda), 10. Weston Peick (Suzuki), 11 Brock Tickle (RCH Suzuki), 12 Josh Hill (RCH Suzuki).
