Image: Octopi Media.

The stage is set for the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross season-opener at Anaheim 1, with Malcolm Stewart and Christian Craig qualifying quickest this afternoon.

In his first outing with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, Stewart qualified in first position to open the year after controlling the final 450SX session.

Also P1 in free practice today, Stewart eventually posted a 57.216s lap-time in Q2, holding former champion Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) at bay after he lodged a 57.302s final-lap flier in a positive sign.

Also equipped with a new team this year, Monster Energy Kawasaki-mounted Jason Anderson was third on the charts also at a 57.3s, followed directly by Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) and Dylan Ferrandis ((Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) inside the top five.

P6 came Marvin Musquin, again the top of the Red Bull KTMs as he was in qualifying one, with Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) the final rider beneath the 58s bracket.

Roczen was ahead of an improving defending champion Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM), the ever-present Justin Brayton (Smartop Bullfrog Spas MCR Honda) and multiple-time opening round winner Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas).

Still-injured Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) slotted into 11th overall despite his troublesome shoulder, while Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM) sat all the way down in 18th, as he did in the earlier session when he crashed heavily in the whoops before remounting and continuing on.

Image: Octopi Media.

In 250SX West, a 57.480s lap-time saw Christian Craig (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) maintain his position at the top following the final qualifier of the opener.

As he has done all day atop the time-sheets, Craig led early pace-setter Michael Mosiman (TLD Red Bull GasGas), with Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) in third position.

During the session, Craig trailed Lawrence at midway to deliver the benchmark, while Mosiman’s best came early on – the trio the only riders in the 57s.

Fourth on the charts was Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) courtesy of a late lap to edge teammate Jo Shimoda.

Next were reigning east champion Colt Nichols (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha), Garrett Marchbanks (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha), Vince Friese (Smartop Bullfrog Spas MCR Honda), Jalek Swoll (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Derek Kelley (AEO Powersports KTM), who in turn bumped Nate Thrasher on the final Star Yamaha out of the top 10.

Detailed results