Davi Millsaps went home with the Monster Cup and the $100,000 prize. Photography by Kit Palmer
The fourth running of the Monster Energy Cup came to a dramatic conclusion with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Davi Millsaps coming away with the overall win and Muscle Milk Honda’s Trey Canard coming oh-so close of pocketing the $1 million prize that was available to any rider who could win all three 10-lap motos in the Cup class.
Canard was having the dream ride all night. He won the first two motos and had his sights set on the million bucks after finding himself in second place and stalking third-moto leader Millsaps. Canard was looking good to nab the dollars until he fell just past the halfway point. The Honda rider came out of a turn a little too hot and his bike clipped a Tuff Block causing the back end to step out beyond saving, and he ultimately found himself laying on the track next to his bike. All was not lost, though. Canard got right back up after losing a few positions and was still in contention for the overall win, which pays $100,000. All he had to do was pass Honda rider Malcolm Smith for fifth place and the win would be his, but before he could make the pass, he fell again while trying to turn up the pressure on Stewart. Canard’s run for the million ended in an eighth-place finish and third overall.
Canard’s run for the million dollars ended right here in the final race. Photography by Kit Palmer
“It [the million dollars] was in the back of the mind, but I wanted to go in there like any other race,” said Canard. “It’s so good to see Davi back and race against him. I’m just thankful to be healthy, and this gets me excited for Anaheim.”
Millsaps didn’t luck into the win by any means. Millsaps, who hadn’t raced in 18 months, was solid all night. He finished third in the first race, fourth in the second and won the final. His 3-4-1 edged out Eli Tomac’s 4-3-2 for the win.
“This feels amazing, I didn’t even realize I won the overall until they told me on the podium,” said Millsaps. “It’s great to be back on a new bike with a new team and to get here and get the overall win, it’s so worth it. The bike is awesome and I haven’t been on it that long, but so far so good and no complaints. I thought it was going to be a long day, but it turned around really quickly. I’m excited to build my garage with this money.”
Davi Millsaps (18) leads Trey Canard (41) in the third and final moto. Photography by Kit Palmer
Tomac, on the GEICO Honda, ended up second and Canard third with a 1-1-8.
“The final race was chaos,” said Tomac. “Seeing Trey go down was tough for me.” And probably for everyone else in the packed stadium, as well.
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey had a quiet night. Bad starts on a track that was hard to make up time, did him in. He went 8-5-3 for fourth overall.
Malcolm Stewart rounded out the top five overall with a 7-7-5.
Perhaps the surprise rider of the night was Red Bull KTM’s Justin Hill. Hill, who normally rides a 250, strapped himself onto a 450 and nearly won the whole thing. Hill finished second to Canard in the first two motos but a crash in the final moto ruined his chances for the overall win. His 2-2-18 still gave him sixth overall.
Jason Anderson, who was making his debut in the 450 class, was impressive on his new Rockstar Husqvarna ride. He was quickest in qualifying and rode well in the mains, but a fall in the first race erased any thoughts he had of finishing out the night on the podium. After finishing 15th in the first race, Anderson went 7-4 to land seventh overall.
Jake Weimer, riding as a guest on the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Team (as was Justin Hill), finished eighth overall with 10-10-6.
JGRMX/Yamaha’s Justin Barcia struggled with his starts all night and ended up ninth overall with 6-6-16 moto finishes.
Blake Baggett, who was making his 450 debut on the Yoshimura Suzuki, rode well but ended his night taking a trip to the hospital. After going 5-8, Baggett fell and was hit by another rider in the third moto. Baggett got back on the bike but was complaining of pain in his chest area and was advised to go to the hospital for evaluation.
October 18, 2014
Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas, Nevada
Monster Energy Cup
RESULTS
1. Davi Millsaps Kawasaki (3-4-1)
2. Eli Tomac Honda (4-3-2)
3. Trey Canard Honda (1-1-8)
4. Ryan Dungey KTM (8-5-3)
5. Malcolm Stewart Honda (7-7-5)
6. Justin Hill KTM (2-2-18)
7. Jason Anderson Husqvarna (15-7-4)
8. Jake Weimer Kawasaki (10-10-6)
9. Justin Barcia Yamaha (6-6-16)
10. Blake Baggett Suzuki (5-8-21)
