Steve Cox | February 4, 2017
Oakland Supercross Qualifying: Once again, as has been the standard through every single California round of supercross this year so far, practice was shortened due to rain in Oakland. However, it also seems as if the bulk of the rain is going to bookend the event, occurring the day before and the day after the Oakland Supercross, round five of the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Series.
Round five will also be the first daytime race of the year, with opening ceremonies beginning at 3:30 p.m. PST – three hours earlier than normal. This will also be the case next weekend in Arlington, Texas.
Although there was a lot of mud around the edges of the track, the track is still completely race-able as of now. If the rain continues to stay a minimal factor, the track should provide plenty of passing opportunities.
Oakland Supercross Qualifying
In 450cc qualifying, Monster Energy/Yamalube/Chaparral Yamaha’s Cooper Webb topped the sheets for the first time in his young 450cc supercross career with a 58.354-second time. He was the only rider in the 58s, as second overall in qualifying went to Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin, with a 59.944. Everyone else’s fastest times were longer than 1 full minute, with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac third overall (1:00.013), followed by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson (1:00.086), RCH Suzuki’s Broc Tickle (1:00.145), Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Dean Wilson (1:00.405), Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM’s Blake Baggett (1:00.475), Honda’s Cole Seely (1:00.722), Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey (1:01.022) and Webb’s teammate Chad Reed (1:01.45).
Oakland Supercross Qualifying
In 250cc qualifying, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Justin Hill continued his hot streak with the fastest qualifying time of a 1:00.477 over Blue Buffalo Yamaha’s AJ Catanzaro (1:01.320) from the B practice. Then came Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger (1:01.358), Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Martin Davalos (1:01.430), GEICO Honda’s Jimmy Decotis (1:01.705), Hill’s teammate Austin Forkner (1:02.034), TLD/Red Bull KTM’s Shane McElrath (1:02.493), Plessinger’s teammate Dan Reardon (1:04.511), Yamaha-backed Chris Alldredge (1:04.868) from the B practice, and fellow B practice Yamaha pilot Jon Ames (1:04.872) rounding out the top 10 overall.
Oakland Supercross Qualifying
In other news from qualifying, GEICO Honda’s Jeremy Martin cleared his concussion-protocol test yesterday and will begin riding again on Monday. RCH Suzuki’s Justin Bogle is back in action in Oakland. And Dean Wilson officially began his Husqvarna racing career, getting going in Oakland with sixth place in qualifying on his new mount after two days of testing this week.
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