Roczen mette sul podio la sua RMZ 450 Progressive Insurance Ecstar Suzuki
(Madera, CA, 30 gennaio 2023) – Il Supercross è tornato ad Anaheim, questa volta con un entusiasmante formato di gara, Triple Crown. Le gare Triple Crown sono tre eventi principali, ridotti a 12 minuti rispetto a un normale evento principale che dura 20 minuti. Questo primo dei tre eventi Triple Crown non ha deluso. Ken Roczen ha messo in scena una prestazione imponente andando 2-3-4 per il terzo posto assoluto.
Ken Roczen #94: Che giornata! Qualificandosi con il terzo tempo sul giro più veloce, è stata una prestazione impressionante da parte del 28enne Ken Roczen. In tre eventi principali è andato 2-3-4 per il terzo posto assoluto. È stata una lotta tra cani tutta la notte e la macchina n. 94 non si è tirata indietro. Andando da un manubrio all’altro con chiunque si avvicinasse, Roczen ha tenuto i fan con il fiato sospeso tutta la notte.
Ken Roczen #94
“Abbiamo avuto una buona giornata di qualifiche; Ero nel consiglio di amministrazione in entrambe le sessioni di qualificazione con un 2° e un 3° posto che non abbiamo ancora fatto quest’anno. Abbiamo apportato anche alcune modifiche alla moto che hanno aiutato. Entrando nel primo evento principale, avevo una posizione di partenza davvero buona, ho quasi fatto un holeshot. Entrando nel 2° evento principale ho in qualche modo bloccato i gomiti con qualcuno all’inizio, ma sono stato in grado di intrufolarmi all’interno, quindi è stato un altro buon inizio.
Stavo guidando davvero bene in 2° e ho avuto alcune battaglie in corso. Sono andato avanti e indietro con Tomac un paio di volte e sono riuscito a respingerlo. Ho commesso un errore prima del traguardo e sono scivolato fuori, sono arrivato terzo per il secondo evento principale. Dirigendosi verso il main event finale, tre di noi erano davvero vicini al primo posto assoluto. Quindi, ho davvero fallito l’inizio e ho dovuto risalire. Stavo lottando con Ferrandis e sono riuscito a fare quel sorpasso e sono arrivato 4°. È stato il primo vero podio per me e il primo podio per il team nel 2023. Ciò dimostra che il duro lavoro ripaga davvero; facendo passi nella giusta direzione andando 2-3-4 sono davvero curioso ed entusiasta di vedere cosa ci riserva il futuro”.
Shane McElrath #12
Shane McElrath #12: Giornata encomiabile per la macchina numero 12 con tre eventi principali coerenti che vanno 16-16-18 per il 16° posto assoluto. Non dove Shane o il team vogliono essere, ma non per mancanza di impegno. McElrath continua a migliorare mentre spinge per tornare alla sua intensità di corsa.
“Fare il massimo dei giri, passare attraverso la LCQ, non mi piace davvero”, ha detto Shane McElrath. “Fino a quando non aggiusto le mie qualifiche, è più o meno quello che ottengo. Sto faticando un po’, ma stiamo sicuramente facendo progressi. Per me è tutto quello che posso chiedere, sto cercando di appoggiarmi alla squadra e ai miei compagni. Sto cercando di fare progressi ogni volta che sono in pista. Sicuramente sto ancora imparando la moto e mi ci sto abituando in diverse situazioni. Sono pronto per una buona settimana di progressi. Abbiamo alcune grandi cose in programma e stiamo andando avanti”.
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Roczen puts his RMZ 450 Progressive Insurance Ecstar Suzuki on the Podium
(Madera, CA, Jan 30th, 2023) – Supercross was back in Anaheim, this time with an exciting triple crown race format. Triple Crown races are three main events, shortened to 12 minutes compared to a regular main event which is 20 minutes. This first of three Triple Crown events did not disappoint. Ken Roczen put on an imposing performance going 2-3-4 for third overall.
Ken Roczen #94: What a day! Qualifying with the third fastest lap time, it was an impressive display from the 28-year-old, Ken Roczen. In three main events he went 2-3-4 for third overall. It was a dog fight all night and the #94 machine did not back down. Going bar to bar with anyone who came close, Roczen had the fans on the edge of their seats all night.
Ken Roczen #94
“We had a pretty good day of qualifying; I was on the board in both qualifying sessions with a 2 nd and 3rd which we haven’t done yet this year. We made some bike changes as well which helped. Going into the first main event, I had a really good start position, I almost holeshotted. Going into the 2nd main event I kind of locked elbows with someone off the start but was able to sneak around the inside, so it made for another solid start.
I was riding really well in 2nd had some battles going on. I went back and forth with Tomac a couple of times and was able to fend him off. I made a mistake before the finish and slid out, I ended up third for the second main event. Heading into the final main event, three of us were really close to first overall. So, I really botched the start and had to work my way up. I was battling with Fernandis and was able to make that pass happen and finished in 4th . It was the very first podium for me and the first podium for the team in 2023. That shows that hard work really pays off; taking steps in the right direction going 2-3-4 I’m really curious and excited to see what the future holds for us.”
I’m ready for a good week of progress.
Shane McElrath #12
Shane McElrath #12: Commendable day for the #12 machine with three consistent main events going 16-16-18 for 16th overall. Not where Shane or the team wants to be but that’s not for a lack of effort. McElrath continues to improve as he pushes to get back to his intensity of racing.
“Doing maximum laps, going thru the LCQ, I really don’t like that,” said Shane McElrath. “Until I fix my qualifying that’s kind of what I get. I’m struggling a little bit, but we are definitely making progress. For me that’s all I can ask for, I’m trying to lean on the team and my teammates. I’m trying to make progress every time I’m on the track. Definitely still learning the bike and getting used to it in different situations. I’m ready for a good week of progress. We got some big things lined up and we are moving forward.”
Triple Crown events are always interesting
Kyle Chisholm #11
Kyle Chisholm #11: Solid day for Kyle Chisholm but still not where he wants to be overall. After a rough start to the season falling ill the first round of the season, Chisholm is starting to get his groove back. He went 21-18-15 for 17th overall.
“Triple Crown events are always interesting,” said Kyle Chisholm. “Qualifying is really important because they only take 18 riders straight into the main events and I’m not the best at putting down one fast lap so it was stressful. I was good though, I made it out of qualifying straight into the main events. The first main was terrible for me, I got stuck behind a down rider off the start, so I was so far back by the time I got going. That was a bummer for me. The second main was better. I made progress and made a few suspension changes. I had a better third moto. Still, not where I want to be overall, but we are making progress.”
We are learning a lot and figuring out what we need to do to get better.
Dilan Schwartz #85
Dilan Schwartz #85: It wasn’t the Triple Crown that Dilan or the team was hoping for, but we all know that he is capable of much better results.
“First Triple Crown didn’t go the way we wanted,” said Dilan Schwartz. “I did the best I could but I ended up not feeling that great. I just ended up not feeling that great. We are learning a lot and figuring out what we need to do to get better. I’m happy with that we are going to keep moving forward and building each weekend.”
“Weekend went really good,” said Team Manager Larry Brooks. “First Triple Crown of the year. Ken Roczen put his bike on the podium. He finished third overall and was very close to finishing second. Just a little bit off but that’s next weekend… Dilan Schwartz finished 18th he struggled all day with some health issues, so I think it’ll get better for him. Kyle Chisholm finished 17th and McElrath finished 16th. It was a good night. I think we need to make some improvements and we are going keep working.”
The series heads east for the first time this year, going to Houston, Texas. NRG Stadium will host the first East Coast round of the Supermotocross series. Marshal Weltin will make his RMZ 250 debut for Progressive ECSTAR Suzuki. He will be racing the 250cc East Coast rounds. Racing starts at 6PM PST Saturday. You can catch all the racing live on Peacock TV and you can be there with us by following our social media channels.
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