Image: Octopi Media.

Experienced 250SX East contender Christian Craig has delivered a masterful victory at Houston 1 on debut with Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha.

It was a perfect night for Craig in his maiden outing with Star Yamaha, converting his heat race win to victory in the main event at NRG Stadium.

An emotion-charged Craig won his first Monster Energy Supercross final in five years, finishing 5.057s clear of Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), as Colt Nichols on the second of the Yamahas completed the podium.

While Craig controlled proceedings from the front, the battle for second intensified as the 15-minute plus one-lap final wore on, Forkner moving into the runner-up position by midway and Nichols benefiting from a late error by RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) when he went down while in P3.

A consistent ride meant fourth belonged to Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), Hampshire remounted for fifth and Lawrence – who also crashed in the closing stages on the final lap – ended the opener in sixth.

Another who recovered from a fall was Mosiman for seventh, the top 10 also featuring Mitchell Oldenburg (Muc-Off Honda Racing), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rookie Max Vohland in his first-ever Supercross and Joshua Osby (Phoenix Racing Honda).

Monster Energy Supercross will continue this Tuesday, 19 January, with round two of the 2021 season once again to be held in Houston for the second of three events to commence the series at NRG Stadium.

Detailed results