Image: Octopi Media.

Qualifying for round eight of the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross season has concluded in Orlando. The 450SX class was lead by Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), as Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) topped the first session of the year for the 250SX West division.

Anderson’s New Mexico roots were on full display as the track dried out inside Camping World Stadium. He took well to the slick conditions and emerged as the fastest qualifier, setting the benchmark with a 50.161s lap time.

Just behind him was rookie Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) who set his fastest lap in the first qualifying session of the day. Ferrandis escaped injury in a big crash last weekend at Orlando 1 and appeared to be at full speed in the afternoon sessions.

Third place went to Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) who clocked a 50.217s lap and the fourth spot went to Ken Roczen. Roczen’s best lap was also from the first session of the day, where track conditions weren’t nearly as dry. Eli Tomac took the final spot in the top five with a 50.670s aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki.

Tomac’s teammate Adam Cianciarulo was sixth fastest while Marvin Musquin’s 50.728s lap put him seventh overall. Benny Bloss (MotoConcepts Honda) had a standout ride in the second session. The MotoConcepts Honda rider finished eighth, notching his best qualifying effort of the season.

Fresh off of a podium from last week, Zach Osborne (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) took ninth overall after his with a 51.009s lap and the final spot in the top 10 went to Martin Davalos (Team Tedder KTM), who’s lap was just under a second off of Anderson’s best.

It was an afternoon to forget for Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) who exited the first session early after a crash. He returned to the track in the second session and seemed to have decent pace but ended the session 18th overall.

Image: Octopi Media.

In the opening round of the 250SX West coast series it was all Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha). Cooper proved that his recent foot injury is no issue, as he swept the afternoon qualifying sessions for the opening round. The Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rider topping the timesheets with a 51.095s lap.

Close behind him was rookie standout Seth Hammaker aboard his Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki. Hammaker was the first of three rookies who qualified inside the top 10 by way of the B Group sessions. Cooper’s teammate Jeremy Martin started off his 2021 season taking the third spot, a half-second back from his teammate with a 51.513s.

Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) bounced back into action after injury to take fourth with a 51.839s as the top five was rounded out by Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) who was the first rider in the 52s range.

Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) clocked a 52.260s lap to take the sixth spot, looking aggressive throughout the afternoon. Stilez Robertson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) kicked off his rookie season with a seventh-place finish in qualifying. Alex Martin (Yamaha) just behind him with a 52.345s.

Rookie Jalek Swoll (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) ended his first day of qualifying inside the top 10 with a best lap of 52.363s. Garret Marchbanks (Yamaha) took the final spot in the top 10 with a 52.896s lap. Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rookies Nate Thrasher and Jarrett Frye ended their first afternoon of Supercross in 15th and 18th, respectively.