Supercross Atlanta: Roczen is Back in Winning Form and Webb Pushes a Podium

The latest round of Supercross in Atlanta was a wild one. Atlanta’s round 9 marked the halfway point in the season. In the 450SX main event, Ken Roczen shot out of the gate, grabbed the holeshot and never looked back.

Behind Roczen, several battles were brewing. Eli Tomac and Blake Baggett got tangled up in a poorly timed pass, sending both riders to the ground. Meanwhile, Cooper Webb was making his way towards the front of the pack. Just one week ago in Arlington, Webb was transported to the hospital after a bad crash. His return to racing looked questionable. Webb beat the odds and was miraculously on the start line for Saturday’s race. With just four minutes on the clock, Tomac showed up in the top 3, and began pushing Webb to ride faster for position. The two battled side by side right up until the end. Justin Barcia was in second and not giving up his position either. At times Tomac, Webb and Barcia raced 3-wide. In the end Barcia took second and Webb edged out Tomac for the third spot.

“This was a fun race. I mean, I had a good gap and that makes it also difficult. The track broke down a lot more than I thought it was going to, honestly. So that makes it tough. You just don’t want to make a mistake, so you really have to keep your composure throughout the entire Main Event”, said Roczen.

Webb who was in pain on the podium said “That was probably the hardest race I’ve ever had, but you know it’s amazing after I had a bad start and stalled it and I was way back. And just put my head down and tried to do the best I can. Got a few gifts from the guys up front, but man that was painful.”

In the Eastern Regional 250SX main event, Chase Sexton was back on the top podium spot. Shane McElrath was right behind Sexton in second place. Sexton is ahead in the points standings.  Roczen now ties Tomac in the points standings for the 450SX class.

450SX Class Results

1. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda
2. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha
3. Cooper Webb, Clermont, Fla., KTM
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
5. Martin Davalos, Tallahassee, Fla., KTM
6. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Honda
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda
9. Vince Friese, Menifee, Calif., Honda
10. Dean Wilson, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna

450SX Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (200)
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Honda (200)
3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha (177)
4. Cooper Webb, Clermont, Fla., KTM (176)
5. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna (151)
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda (137)
7. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (128)
8. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Honda (127)
9. Justin Brayton, Charlotte, N.C., Honda (116)
10. Dean Wilson, Murrieta, Calif., Husqvarna (113)

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results

1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna
3. Shane McElrath, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
4. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Kawasaki
5. Jo Shimoda, Irvine, Calif., Honda
6. Enzo Lopes, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha
7. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki
8. Nick Gaines, Ringgold, Ga., Yamaha
9. Jalek Swoll, Belleview, Fla., Husqvarna
10. Joshua Hill, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (75)
2. Shane McElrath, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha (70)
3. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (61)
4. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki (53)
5. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Kawasaki (47)
6. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Honda (44)
7. Jo Shimoda, Irvine, Calif., Honda (44)
8. Joshua Hill, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha (41)
9. Enzo Lopes, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha (36)
10. Joey Crown, Metamora, Mich., Yamaha (31)

Images courtesy: Feld Entertainment