One rainy downpour and light drizzle inside Angel Stadium created low-traction conditions at the Anaheim 2 Supercross, Round 3 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The track featured back-to-back whoop sections, and an especially steep tunnel jump in addition to the traditional Supercross jumps and bowl turns.
Ken Roczen (94) seemed to get better throughout the day at the Anaheim 2 Supercross even as track conditions worsened. The popular racer grabbed a top three start in his heat race and earned a good gate position for the main. As the racers prepared for the main event, a heavy rain shower turned the jump-filled track into a slick, treacherous racecourse. Roczen emerged from the first corner in eighth spot and instantly started his drive forward. Roczen put his Suzuki RM-Z450 into third place before the race’s midpoint and took over second place in the final laps. Roczen then gained on the leader but ran out of time to make a move for the win. His second-place result earned him enough points to jump from third to first in the title standings.
“The whole main event was really rad. I am beyond stoked to be on the podium,” said Roczen. “We’ve been putting in a lot of work. We tried a few things this week, and everything we did last night was a success. The work doesn’t stop, but I am going to enjoy the moment.”
Colt Nichols (45) charged forward in his heat race but missed reaching a direct transfer position by one spot. In the main event a rough opening lap put Nichols deep in the pack, but he expertly piloted his Suzuki to find traction on the slick track. Nichols gained positions until the checkered flag flew.
“A2 was a baby step, but nonetheless a step in the right direction for me,” reported Nichols. “It started off a little bit rough during the day and into the night program, having to go through the LCQ. We got through and into the main. But then I just kind of rode around; I could’ve executed some things better. But overall, it was a good step, so on to Glendale we go.”
Kyle Chisholm (11) put in a strong qualifying performance during the day. Chisholm emerged from the first corner of his heat race in fourth place, but a small miscalculation resulted in a big crash down the first lane of jumps. Chisholm recovered from the crash and lined up for the LCQ, but the minor injuries from the earlier crash prevented him from recapturing his earlier track speed.
“I stayed in California all week, so we got some good testing in with the team. We made some good improvements on the bike settings,” said Chisholm. “I qualified better, in practice I felt better, and in the heat race, man, I ripped a really good start. I was third or fourth, then from there it just went downhill. I clipped a Tuff Blox in the first rhythm section and went over the bars. I had to jump through the bars and bail off the bike. I was pretty banged up and beat up. I got some x-rays, everything was negative, but my heel had a pretty bad bruise. But looking at the positives: the bike’s in a good spot, I feel pretty good, we’ll try to get at least a day riding this week if my body feels up to it, and then we’ll come into Glendale and try to get back on track.”
“We raced Anaheim 2 this weekend, and the HEP team killed it,” exclaimed Larry Brooks, Team Manager of Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance. “Ken Roczen rode great. He finished second in the main event, which gave him the points lead. Didn’t really want to be leading the points this early in the season, but it is what it is, we’ll take it and try to work with it and keep the motivation going. Kyle Chisholm had a rough night. He fell in the heat race, stepped over the bars, and that was kind of the end of his night. Colt Nichols rode good. We’re just taking baby steps with him; he needs to get better starts but I think he did improve this week. He put it in the main event and rode well. He just needs to start off faster and sprint a little harder. So, it was a good night for the Suzuki team. We’re all happy. The whole team works their butts off and I can’t thank them enough.”
The 17-round Supercross season heads to Glendale, Arizona for Round 4 on Saturday, February 1st. The red number plate that marks the points leader will adorn Ken Roczen’s Suzuki RM-Z450. Roczen is no stranger to race wins and points leads, and he’s had the red plate on his Suzuki before. The Suzuki riders and team members are excited to return to the Arizona stadium where Roczen earned the race win in 2024.
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