Jessy Nelson Scores Debut Win in 250SX West Opener
Cycle News Staff | January 3, 2015
Photography by Kit Palmer
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil KTM’s Jessy Nelson broke through for his first victory in the first Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event of the season at Angel Stadium. Nelson captured the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award ahead of GEICO Honda’s Matt Bisceglia and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne. The advantage Nelson garnered with the holeshot proved to be all he needed as he went on to lead all 15 laps of the Main Event and secure the first victory of his career in his 16th career start.
Nelson’s margin of victory over Osborne was 6.450 seconds.
“This is a great way to start season and hopefully there’s more to come,” said Nelson, who became the 97th different 250SX Class Main Event winner in history. “It was a great night and I can’t complain. I think the team’s switch to KTM has been huge and I think it’s a big part of this. This [win] is just a big shock.”
Behind Nelson, Osborne asserted himself into second and ultimately maintained the runner-up spot throughout the entirety of the Main Event. The battle for third, however, became a three-rider showdown in the early stages between Motosport.com Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen, Red Bull KTM’s Justin Hill and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tyler Bowers. Hill was able to make the move past Hansen for the position on lap four and Bowers followed suit a short time later. Hill appeared to have a comfortable margin over Bowers, but the reigning four-time AMSOIL Arenacross Champion closed the gap and eventually made the pass on Lap 10, carrying it through to the finish to claim the final spot on the podium.
Amazingly Osborne raced with a broken left thumb, suffered in a crash earlier in the evening.
Nelson sits three points ahead of Osborne in the Western Regional 250SX Class standings and five points ahead of Bowers.
Monster Energy Supercross continues next weekend with its second stop of the 17-race season from Phoenix. Chase Field will host the world’s best riders on Saturday, January 10. Live broadcast coverage on FOX Sports 1 begins at 6:00 PST/9:00 p.m. EST.
Western Regional 250SX Class Results: Anaheim
- Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM
- Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Husqvarna
- Tyler Bowers, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki
- Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
- Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha
- Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
- Alex Martin, Millville., Minn., Yamaha
- Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki
- Michael Leib, Menifee, Calif., Honda
Western Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
- Justin Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM, 25
- Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., KTM, 22
- Tyler Bowers, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 20
- Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM, 18
- Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha, 16
- Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM, 15
- Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 14
- Alex Martin, Millville., Minn., Yamaha, 13
- Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki, 12
- Michael Leib, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 11
