In Quotebook, a selection of riders detail round three of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, at Anaheim in California.

450SX

Image: Octopi Media.

Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – Third:
It feels good to be up here on the podium, it’s been a tough start to the season. I went to the doctor on Monday after A1 and found out I had the flu and strep [throat] so it was a tough week leading up to St. Louis. It was a good learning experience for me and this week was much better, I was able to ride and train a little bit more. I’m pumped to be up here and we were pretty dang close [to the winner] so I can’t complain.

Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) – Fifth:
My weekend went alright but I kind of was under the weather all day. I tried to make some stuff happen in the main event – I got up in third but ended up going backwards to sixth and then back to fifth, so not too bad going into next weekend.

Dean Wilson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) – 10th:
I would say today was an improvement. I just have to keep trying to get better every race. I definitely felt my fitness struggling at the end of the Main Event but overall I was actually pretty happy with my starts and how it went.

Zach Osborne (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) – Fourth:
It was a pretty good night. I struggled all day to get in a good flow but I turned it around for the Main Event. I moved up in the points a little bit so we’ll just keep building and keep hammering and I think podiums and wins are coming, it just takes some time to find your race speed.

Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing) – Ninth:
Anaheim 2 was a difficult one to say the least. I really struggled in the whoops all day, also in the race. I definitely rode really smart, I didn’t want to lose too many points so I managed the race as good as I could. Ninth was the best we had tonight. I tried really hard, rode as hard as I could but it just was a little bit of a struggle. We have some work to do for tracks with whoops like that. I’m just happy to get out of Anaheim healthy. That’s the biggest thing. In the past I haven’t been able to get through the first three rounds healthy, so we’re in a good position. We’re only three points down. I’m feeling good about that. I’m really excited for Glendale next weekend, I really like that track and stadium, so I’m just going to keep moving forward and get ready for the next race.

Aaron Plessinger (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing) – 15th:
Yeah, tonight was tough. I got off to a really good start in the Main and kind of froze up. It was a gnarly track. The whoops were really gnarly, a lot of moisture in the track. I’m going to put my head down and keep on focusing on getting better – take the positives and work on the negatives. We’ll be back next week in Phoenix, so I just need to get another start like that and keep it up front.

Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – Sixth:
Today was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for me. I was able to qualify on top again which always helps going into the night show. In my heat race, I was able to get out front but my buddy Ken (Roczen) got by and I settled into second. In the 450SX main event, despite my start, I felt like I was riding well and making good progress. I began to go forward and was able to make my way up to fourth, but unfortunately, I made some minor mistakes that cost me a better result. Sixth place isn’t where I want to be, but it is a long season and we are going to keep grinding. I am looking forward to the Triple Crown format next weekend in Glendale and the three gate drops we get to race.

Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – First:
Today was the day we worked for all off-season. Things were just clicking all day, we qualified second coming into the night, and in the first heat race we were able to get out front early and just kind of set the tone for the rest of the night. In the main, I didn’t get the best jump of the gate, but I was able to find some good passing lanes and remained aggressive in the opening laps. The two sets of whoops and dragon back were so mentally and physically demanding, I believe that is where I was able to separate myself from the rest of the pack. All in all, I can’t thank my team enough, the whole Monster Energy Kawasaki crew for all the hard work this past week, it definitely paid off tonight. I am looking forward to Glendale next weekend and to race a Triple Crown. My first 450SX win came in Phoenix and the high-intensity Triple Crown format really suits my racing style.

Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) – Second:
My night was pretty good. I had a good battle with Adam [Cianciarulo] in the heat race, which was fun and good to come away with the win. That put me in a good position for the main event and to be able to pick a decent gate. Tonight though, pretty much every gate on the start was super rough and there were a lot of holes, so it was hard to decide which one to pick. But I hooked up really good and got my first holeshot of the year, so that was nice. We’ve been putting in a lot of work on my starts, so it’s been paying off. For me to be able to win tonight, I had to be a lot better in the whoops. I was just struggling there the entire race, so that didn’t help me out; I feel like I lost all my time there. I was trying to skim them, then went to jumping them, which was horrible too; I lost a lot of ground so went back to skimming and just was all over the place and that was where Eli [Tomac] made up a lot of time and closed in on me. We definitely have some work to do but don’t want to get too crazy. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing. We’re in a good spot right now and we just have to keep it up. First last weekend and second this weekend, plus the red plate is really great. I’m really happy.

Justin Brayton (Team Honda HRC) – Seventh:
I’m pretty happy with how the race went tonight. A little bummed after the heat race after getting the holeshot but crashing in the first turn, which set me up for a bad gate pick for the main. That’s pretty crucial now with how bad the ruts get outside the gate, but I was able to start around 11th or 12th and pass my way up to seventh. At the middle of the race, I was actually one of the fastest guys on the track. With a better track position, I definitely think I could end up on the podium. Overall a really good night, and although the first three rounds have gone well, I’m looking forward to improving and getting into the top five.

Jimmy Decotis (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) – DNQ:
Anaheim 2 was a tough weekend. I made some great progress with the bike but didn’t get the starts I needed to run up front. I’m looking forward to the East coast and to get back up front where we belong. Thanks to the crew for keeping my spirits high this weekend!

250SX West

Image: Octopi Media.

Michael Mosiman (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) – Fourth:
It was hectic and chaotic in the main event, it was like survival mode out there for most of us. My starts were pretty good tonight but I don’t feel like I rode deserving of fourth. But I’ll take it and go onto the next round.”

Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing) – Second:
It was just a tough day all day, but we were able to come through when the time was right and land on the podium again. We got some good points. The track was definitely tough tonight – it was pretty tricky. It was hard to find a flow out there, but I did the best I could. Knocked off some consistent laps, rode smart and ended up with a good result.

Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing) – First:
I’m really happy to get this first win, especially after some struggling in the first two races. We had some issues with the start and we figured it out this week with the team and made some good improvements there. I got caught up with some riders at the start but was able to move forward. The race was going good and then the moment with Christian. Obviously it was not my intention for us both to crash, but it was just a racing incident. We had one of the most technical tracks that we’ve ever had. I did like the track. I felt really good all day, but there were a lot of things going on in the Main. A lot of riders crashed. I’m glad to get this win and we will keep working during the week to prepare for next weekend.

Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) – 17th:
It was a tough one to take tonight after being in good position the whole race. The track was changing a lot during the race, getting slippery and the whoops broke down a lot more than we expected. Moving forward, I know I will do everything in my power to make sure I’m getting maximum points and go after that red plate. Next week will be interesting with the Triple Crown so we’ll see how that changes things up.

Christian Craig (Geico Honda) – DNF:
I actually had the flu the entire week leading up to Anaheim 2. Not sure what St. Louis did to me but I could not keep anything down all week and lost 10 pounds so I was just pumped to feel kinda normal on Saturday. I felt off all day honestly, the track was so tight and didn’t flow well for me. I heard a lot of other guys felt the same so that made me feel better! I qualified fifth and went on to win my heat race which was cool and I’m pumped on that. In the main, I got the holeshot and led some laps before my teammate passed me. I stayed with him for a while and knew Ferrandis was catching us. I knew he was right behind me for a couple laps and knew he was going to go for it eventually but did not expect that outcome. At the end of the day this is racing. Yeah it sucks but there’s no point it dwelling on it when I can’t change the outcome. I’m happy to be healthy and going to Glendale next weekend!

Jett Lawrence (Geico Honda) – Ninth:
No words really! I’ll never settle for second and will always leave everything out on the track. Lucky to only have a broken collarbone. We will get it all sorted tomorrow and get back to the races.

Luke Clout (Penrite Honda Racing) – Sixth:
Unfortunately, I crashed [in the heat] and had to go to the LCQ – I just rode quickly enough in the LCQ to make the main. I am okay with my sixth, but I have a lot of work to do. The team has been great – they are giving me everything I need. It’s different over here – I know that doesn’t make sense to some people, but the tracks are different, they are prepared differently, they develop ruts and have moisture in them. The intensity is much higher, in Australia we were doing eight-lap races and over here I am doing 18 laps. We have a plan and we are working towards it.

Mitchell Oldenburg (Penrite Honda Racing) – Seventh:
I am happy with how I came through the pack tonight. There are some positives to take from the first few rounds. We have moved to ninth in the championship and trail the top five by 12 points. The bike is incredible – our starts have been great and I am enjoying the Honda. I need to get 100 percent healthy – I know we have a good program, we will continue to work forward.

Alex Martin (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) – Fifth:
I struggled throughout the day to get comfortable with the track. I had a painful crash in the heat race, forcing me to go to the LCQ. The main event turned out to be the best I felt and rode all day. I was very close to another podium this weekend if it wasn’t for a late race mistake. I’ll take the top-five result and move forward healthy.

Brandon Hartranft (Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM) – Third:
It feels just as good [to get on the podium] as last weekend, I am so happy. I’m starting to believe in myself a lot more. I definitely want to win – that’s the main goal – but I’m just going to take it step by step and make the weeks count