Image: Octopi Media.

The chase is on for the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Championship after Jason Anderson captured his second 450SX victory of the year, overcoming Eli Tomac in a head-to-head battle at Anaheim 3.

The race we all wanted to see was delivered as Anderson and Tomac led the field out of the first turn, setting up an intriguing dual at the front.

It was Anderson, however, who was composed enough to stay there, coming under attack in the opening laps, before building an advantage and going on to win by 3.481s over the rider he replaced at Monster Energy Kawasaki in the off-season.

Second was still another solid finish for Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Tomac to maintain the red plate coming out of the west coast, with Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) riding to third following a mid-race error of Musquin.

Fourth was Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) in yet another consistent effort from Musquin, overcoming Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) – who transferred through the LCQ – and Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) in the closing minutes of the main event.

It was a quiet outing again for Red Bull KTM duo Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger for eighth and ninth positions, while Justin Brayton (Smartop Bullfrog Spas MCR Honda) brought it home in 10th.

Next in line was Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC), another disappointing night as he was forced to recover from an off-track excursion in the first turn that put him at the rear of the pack.

Points-wise, Tomac carries a lead of 12 points heading into Minneapolis ahead of tonight’s 450SX main event winner Anderson.

Detailed results