Image: Octopi Media.

Two-time MX2 world champion Tom Vialle shot out of the gates with a strong P2 overall at the first SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) playoff at ZMax Dragway, indicating he was able to refind his rhythm from last year ahead of the post-season uplift.

After clinching his second world title, Vialle transitioned to the US to debut in both the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross and Pro Motocross championships this year with Red Bull KTM.

Vialle finished eighth in 250SX East with a best result of P4 in Arlington, and was P6 overall in the 250MX standings with an overall victory to his credit at Southwick. He entered the SMX post-season with the sixth 250SMX seed.

The number 128 found comfort on the hybrid layout from the outset, posting the fifth-fastest qualifying time ahead of the pair of 20-minute plus one-lap motos. After a top 10 start in moto one, Vialle raced his way up through the field and would finish with a convincing P3 by race’s end.

Charging to the second moto holeshot, Vialle led the field for the majority of the encounter, before claiming a P2 result and sealing the runner-up result for the round.

“Today, like I said, the track was a good mix between supercross and motocross and that, of course, helped me,” Vialle reflected. “But I felt great. I started after Ironman to ride a little bit again in supercross and I feel way better than at the beginning of the year.

“I think to ride a few months this winter, just motocross, helped me to turn and start getting a little bit of flow back to my rhythm from last year and I could carry on to those races [at SMX]. I feel pretty good on the bike and I felt great during the whole day.”

With his combined moto scorecard and regular season seeding position, Vialle sits P4 in the 250SMX standings, four points outside of the lead as the post-season moves to Chicago for playoff two.