Photography By: Kit Palmer
ANAHEIM, CA, JAN. 7 – James Stewart and Ryan Sipes got the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Series started by establishing themselves as the riders to beat in tonight’s program at a sold-out Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Stewart posted the quickest time in the 450 class and Sipes in the West Lites division.
Stewart, on the Toyota/JGRMX Yamaha, saved his best for last by clicking off a one minute and 00.369-second lap time in the second and final timed qualifying session, and that was over a second quicker than the next-best time set by defending champ Ryan Villopoto, on the Monster Energy Kawasaki.
Third quickest with a 1:02.120 was KTM’s Ryan Dungey, and he was followed by Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Brayton, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Brock Tickle, GEICO Powersport Honda’s Kevin Windham and Bel-Ray TwoTwo Motorsport Honda’s Chad Reed.
Sipes, on the Rockstar/Valli/Star Racing Yamaha, reeled off a 1:02.218, which was almost a half-second quicker than the next-best time put in by Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Cole Seely.
GP regular Zach Osborne, here visiting for the first few Supercross rounds, was third quickest with a 1:02.614. GEICO Powersport Honda’s Eli Tomac was fourth quickest, followed by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson and KTM’s Marvin Musquin.
