AMA Supercross Chase Field history for KTM

Once the riders and the paddock were allowed onto the layout at lunchtime for the track inspection there were nods of approval; Phoenix seemed to offer more flow and more of a challenge as well as some dirt that veered between tacky and slippery.

There was a sense the ‘shackles were off’ at Chase Field. The first round nerves from Anaheim were gone and the gloves were removed; this approach led to a few mistakes in the qualifiers. Both James Stewart and Dungey were not the sharpest on the start while Reed and Ryan Villopoto both pushed too hard and hit the dirt through errors. From the times and riding in qualification and the heats this was going to be a Villopoto-Stewart affair, but it didn’t work out like that as both of the protagonists again tasted soil.

Dungey improved for the main event and took the holeshot in an arena that was 75% full, noisy and split in terms of favouritism (the boos rang out for Stewart and Chad Reed). The 2010 Champion was able to make the break when Villopoto went down in the sandy section – Davi Millsaps slipped off in front of him, leaving the reigning number one with little space – and Stewart also went down in the loose stuff several laps later while on a flyer.

Dungey led the way from Jake Weimer and Kevin Windham. Stewart was on the gas from a bad start in the depths of the top twenty and if he hadn’t lost the front wheel of the JGRMX Yamaha he would have certainly hit the podium. Instead Windham was the last lap victim to Villopoto whose progress through the pack was the undoubted highlight of the 20 lap main event.

Elsewhere Nicky Wey and Jimmy Albertson crashed together; the latter taken away on a stretcher after being knocked out and apparently was OK.

In the Lites Dean Wilson was in full control ahead of Marvin Musquin (a good evening for KTM) with Tyla Rattray third. Zach Osborne pushed the South African in the opening phases of the fifteen lap distance but the Honda duo of Eli Tomac and Cole Seely were too much for the Grand Prix rider. Rattray now has the red plate as West Coast points leader.

The desert run back to California and Los Angeles awaits the teams now before Dodgers Stadium will host round three on Saturday.

AMA Class

1. Ryan Dungey (KTM)

2. Jake Weimer (Kaw)

3. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw)

4. Kevin Windham (Hon)

5. Chad Reed (Hon)

6. Andrew Short (Hon)

7. Trey Canard (Hon)

8. James Stewart (Yam)

9. Brett Metcalfe (Suz)

10. Josh Hansen (Kaw)