Bourdon Moves Into The Top Five In The Championship Chase
Brea, CA – (January 29, 2024) – Round four of the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship took place at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Clear skies after mid-week rain made for a rutted and technical, but dry, race track for the unique three-race Triple Crown format..
Race Highlights:
- Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki
- 450 Class
- Ken Roczen earned a podium result in Race 1 and put in an incredible charge through the pack in Race 3.
- 450 Class
- Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Shane McElrath was fast and consistent as the track deteriorated through the night.
- Kyle Chisholm moved up two positions in the championship standings from his result at A2.
- 450 Class
- Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki
- 450 Class
- Derek Drake won the LCQ en route to the night show’s unique three-moto race format.
- 250 Class
- Anthony Bourdon used top-ten results in each race to earn a top-ten overall and move into the top five in the championship points in his rookie US Supercross season
- Max Miller set the fastest lap time in his second qualifying session and earned good points in the night show
- Preston Boespflug competed in his final SX Futures race before launching his professional Supercross career this upcoming weekend in Detroit..
- 450 Class
Ken Roczen (94) earned a podium result in Race 1 at Anaheim 2.
After leading much of the San Diego Supercross the weekend before, Ken Roczen (94) came into Anaheim 2 ready to take home a win. Roczen started strong, with a podium finish in Race 1. Roczen battled up front, finishing Race 1 in third, and displayed fast lap times and great speed suggesting good things to come. Unfortunately, issues in turn one of the remaining two races prevented him from delivering another Supercross win. Despite the challenges, Roczen carded a top-ten result in each race and left Anaheim with a top-ten overall result.
“Tough week in Anaheim. We were in position for a podium going into the final race and unfortunately, a crash on the start meant I was fighting from the back forward. The speed is there and I’m looking forward to another week of racing in Detroit,” said Roczen.
Shane McElrath (12) held strong on a track that became brutally rough and rutted.
Shane McElrath (12) improved his speed from the first qualifying session to the second. In the night’s racing McElrath was consistent and brought home championship points with his Twisted Tea Suzuki RM-Z450.
“The track was one of the roughest tracks I’ve ridden. I struggled on it, just as far as racing.” McElrath pointed to the cause of his struggle as, “A little bit of [lack of] confidence, a little bit of bike set up, a little bit just being uncomfortable. We learned a lot today, starting out on a different suspension set-up; it worked better in some places, and in other places, it didn’t, so we’re going to keep working on it and keep learning, and we’ll be back next weekend in Detroit.”
Kyle Chisholm (11) set the fastest lap time in his first qualifying session.
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Kyle Chisholm (11) started his qualifying morning sessions with a first-place and then a second-place time in the two sessions. A miscue from another rider put Chisholm on the ground in the second race of the night program, but he recovered well to move his RM-Z450 up two positions in the championship standings.
“My Suzuki was working really well for me all day, I felt good on the track and rode pretty well,” summarized Chisholm. “[In the second race] I came out of the first turn in a good position, around top ten. Unfortunately, I was taken out pretty hard a couple of turns into the race. I was able to get up and finish. Then in the last main event, my elbow was pretty sore, but I did my best, tried to be smart, and just earn some points.”
Derek Drake (52) and his BarX Suzuki were at their best when the A2 track was at its worst.
Derek Drake (52) used a first-place result in the daytime LCQ to transfer into the 22-rider field for the night show. Drake had his best ride in Race 3 as he continues to progress through his rookie 450 Supercross season.
“There were some positives to take out of A2,” said Drake. “I just need some better starts to be in the next group of guys where I belong. In Race 1 I fell on the last lap which was a bummer. In Race 2 I had to pull off early with a mechanical. Then in Race 3 I picked up a P-17. See you in Detroit!”
After four rounds Anthony Bourdon (100) and his RM-Z250 sit in fifth place in the title hunt.
Anthony Bourdon is having an incredible start to his US racing career. With three top-ten race results at A2 and a top-ten overall finish, the Frenchman moved his BarX Suzuki RM-Z250 into the top five in the championship standings.
“It was an amazing night in Anaheim,” said Bourdon. “I’m happy to ride again on perfect track conditions. Three top tens in the races for a P-6 overall. I had very good starts in races two and three and fought with the best riders in the world for a couple of laps. I am still learning every weekend, but being P-5 in the championship after four rounds is unbelievable.”
Max Miller (87) showed great speed at A2, topping his second qualifying session with the best lap time.
Max Miller (87) had great speed in the dry conditions from the first qualifying session, finishing second and then first in his two qualifying sessions. Miller used that speed to earn valuable championship points at the event.
“It was a big step in the right direction at A2. I had great speed all night,” said Miller. “I fell in Race 1 and finished 18th. In Race 2, I was off to a bad start but worked my way up to 15th. I had a great start in the third race, made few mistakes at the beginning, and ended up 15th for 16th overall on the night.”
Preston Boespflug (128) rode well in the one-race format SX Futures main event held within the Triple Crown’s race schedule.
Preston Boespflug (128) took his final laps as a Supercross amateur in the SX Futures race. Boespflug earned a top-five result and used the round to prepare for his Supercross pro career debut this upcoming weekend at the Detroit Supercross.
“My Suzuki handled great on the rutted and very technical track.” Boespflug went on to describe his race, “I had a bad start. I was roughly around tenth, but I did what I could to get to fourth in a short race.”
“Ken Roczen started the night off well, finishing third in the first race,” said Larry Brooks, Team Manager of the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance team. “In the second race, he was caught up in a first-turn jam-up and came back to sixth. In the final race, he fell in the first corner and had to come from dead last to tenth place, giving him seventh overall. Kyle Chisholm went 14-20-19 for 17th overall. Shane McElrath went 19-17-18 for 18th overall. It was a rough night, and we know we have the speed to win, so it’s just a matter of getting the start and getting through the first corner. Things will get better. Everyone’s a little disappointed but we will come back swinging next week in Detroit.”
“Tonight was a good night for the team,” reported Toyota Redlands BarX Suzuki Team Manager James Coy. “The dry conditions were welcome for sure after two wet weekends. The bikes are getting better, and it is showing on the track, with our starts, and with our lap times. The crew is doing an amazing job, and we are looking forward to Detroit.”
The Supercross series heads east to Detroit where Ford Field will host a rare daytime event, with racing starting at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. The Detroit Supercross will kick off the 250SX East series, with Preston Boespflug and Dilan Schwartz ready to get their 2024 racing seasons started.
Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross and HEPMotorsports.com for more team news.
Photos by BrownDogWilson Photography
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