Supercross: Anaheim III Race Day Update
Cycle News Staff | February 1, 2014
Wil Hahn suffered a hard get-off in the whoops during the first practice session. Photography by Kit Palmer
The third and final Monster Energy AMA Supercross round at Anaheim Stadium is well underway under clear and sunny skies – again – in Southern California. Temperatures, however, are expected to be quite cooler by race time compared to the other two Anaheim rounds, which could help the normally hard-packed, dry and well-used dirt used at the Anaheim race hold together a little better and perhaps offer improved traction for the racers. Track crews have been giving the dirt a healthy dose of water in hopes of keeping things as soft as possible.
Anaheim III marks the return of GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac who hasn’t raced since injuring his shoulder at the series opener on January 4. Tomac looked fast and confident on the technical track.
Tomac’s teammate, however, Wil Hahn might’ve lost a bit of confidence after his strong performance last weekend in Oakland. The 450-class rookie suffered a hard get-off in the whoops during the non-timed first practice session. Hahn looked like he was shaken up in the fall but did not seem to be seriously injured. He returned for the first time qualifier and was just 16th quickest in the A group. So far, Red Bull/KTM’s Ken Roczen is the fastest 450 rider on the track, laying down a 1 minute, 02.592 second lap time. Justin Barcia is right behind him, followed by James Stewart, Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed and Ryan Villopoto.
The top 250 qualifier and quickest rider so far, however, is Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson (1:02.294). Jason Anderson is next, followed by Cooper Webb, Justin Hill and Cole Seely.
In the 450 class, Rockstar Energy Racing Team’s Ivan Tedesco is changing things up a bit by parking his KTM 450 SX-F for a 350 SX-F. He was 17th quickest in the first 450 A-group qualifying.
