ANAHEIM – After a full season of no racing in California due to pandemic restrictions, Supercross fans in Southern California will be treated to a long-awaited triple dose of action over the next month.
Supercross kicks off its season on Saturday at Angel Stadium for the 31st time in the sport’s 49-year history. The series returns to Anaheim on January 29 for Round 4 and February 12 for Round 6, part of a 15-city tour of 13 states.
Saturday’s focus will be on the 2019 and 2021 450SX class champion, Cooper Webb, who will have another chance to successfully defend his title with a new motorcycle and a fresh training program. Webb finished second behind Eli Tomac in 2020.
« I think there’s a lot of motivation to go out there and show that the change has been good, » said Webb. “But only to try to go and defend. I obviously didn’t do it the first time, so I think this time I just feel more experienced. ”
Webb, 26, feels that it gets better with age and that the new bike – a 2022 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition – will help in areas where he struggled with the old bike. Little more to prove on paper, Webb won almost half of last season’s races and finished on the podium in all but four.
« It’s definitely a cool place, » said Webb. “If you win or do well, you are without a doubt at the forefront of the sport. I think we are driving the best races in the world and I am happy to be able to do this for another year. »
Webb will likely face Tomac as one of the contenders for the top of the table. Tomac, 29, was third last season, then switched teams and left Kawasaki for Star Yamaha. For Tomac, « change » was the keyword for the offseason, which included training sessions in Florida, Colorado and California.
« Everything is different, » said Tomac. “The landscape is different, the color of the fender on the motorcycle has changed… Before I think that maybe I’ve isolated myself a little too much or because I’m doing something else now, it feels better. That way it’s just refreshing. »
Justin Barcia, who finished fourth overall last year, will be another name to watch out for on Saturday. Barcia, 29, has won the last three races of the opening lap – just short of breaking the record set by Jeremy McGrath.
« I’d like to take it over from Jeremy McGrath, » said Barcia. “I would feel really good there. Of course that’s not in the foreground, but I want to win races, so why not win the first race right away? Sounds good. »
Colt Nichols, last year’s champion of the 250SX East Region, highlights the 250SX race. Nichols, 27, is entering his final season in the 250SX class and said he is looking forward to making the jump to the 450SX.
« That’s the goal, of course, » said Nichols. “I want to go to the top and finish this year in the last 250 with a bang. This 450 class is something wild. I look forward to it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while. »
The qualifying events start at 1:05 pm. Saturday before the opening ceremony at 6.30 p.m. The main event of the 250SX is scheduled for 8:53 p.m. and the 450SX Main Event will crown the night at 9:28 pm.
We invite you to use our comment platform to have insightful conversations about topics in our community. While we do not pre-check comments, we reserve the right to remove any information or material that is illegal, threatening, offensive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent, or otherwise objectionable to us, and all Disclose information that is necessary to comply with any law, regulation, or governmental requirement. We can permanently block any user who abuses these terms.
If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the « Report as inappropriate » function by hovering your mouse over the right side of the post and drag the indicated arrow down. Or contact our editors by email at [email protected].
Keywords:
