Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ken Roczen of Germany took his first win of the 2013
Supercross West 250SX Series while teammate Ryan Dungey was on the podium
in third in the 450 cc class at Round 4 of the series in Oakland’s O. Co Coliseum.
Roczen was again fastest in the afternoon practices and went on to take his heat win,
his fourth in the heats this season. The German teenager then got away well in
the main event and was nicely placed at third in the first corner.
He quickly moved around fellow KTM rider Joey Savatgy to move into second
on the first lap and began to close the gap on the lead ride of Cole Seely.
Then as they approached the finish line jump, Roczen made a mistake and landed
on an inside tuff block. This launched him straight into the face of the finish line jump.
He came right off the bike as he rolled over the jump but managed to stay in control,
remounted and held onto second place.
From then on Roczen made no mistakes and slowly closed the gap on Seely.
He took the lead with three laps to go, went on to register his first victory of the
2013 season and is now in front in the championship points.
He starts with the coveted red plate in the next round (Anaheim 3) February 2, 2013.
Good night for Dungey
Ryan Dungey laid down the fastest lap in the final 450-class practice session of
the day and went on to race in the first heat. He was third at the start, advanced
to second and carried the position to the flag to easily qualify for the main event.
But it was in the eventful main that Dungey unrolled his great comeback power.
He rounded the first corner in a good position in the middle of the pack but then
Chad Reed crashed going into the second corner and took out multiple riders.
The riders tumbled around Dungey and his bike got pushed to the outside of the track.
He maintained his cool to move around the fallen riders but lost ground and
was then near the back. He then had to open the throttle and work hard
to get back in the top ten in the next laps. At the halfway point he had moved
into the top five, and started to make a move on the top riders.
One lap later he passed Mike Alessi to move into fourth and slipped by
Justin Brayton into a podium spot in the next lap.
Dungey continued to close the gap on the second placed Davi Millsaps right to the finish.
He crossed the finish line just a few bike lengths behind him to pick up
his second podium of the season. Dungey’s speed was definitely evident
to all who watched him in Oakland and his determination to get back up
front landed him a podium spot. Now four rounds into the season,
he sits fourth overall in the point standings.
Next Event: Anaheim III – February 2, 2013
250 West Main Event Results:
1, Ken Roczen – KTM
2, Cole Seely – HON
3, Jason Anderson – SUZ
4, Martin Davalos – KAW
Other KTM
5, Malcolm Stewart – KTM
6, Joey Savatgy – KTM
16, Josh Cachia – KTM
250 West Point standings:
1, Ken Roczen – 91
2, Cole Seely – 80
3, Eli Tomac – 76
4, Zach Osborne – 58
5, Jason Anderson – 52
Other KTM
7, Martin Davalos, KTM – 48
9, Malcolm Stewart, KTM – 45
12, Joey Savatgy, KTM – 38
19, Josh Cachia KTM – 12
450 Main Event Results:
1, Ryan Villopoto – KAW
2, Davi Millsaps – SUZ
3, Ryan Dungey – KTM
4, Trey Canard – HON
5, Mike Alessi – SUZ
Other KTM
7, Matt Goerke – KTM
14, Les Smith – KTM
450 Point standings:
1, Davi Millsaps – 85
2, Trey Canard – 78
3, Ryan Villopoto – 77
4, Ryan Dungey – 68
5, Chad Reed – 65
Other KTM
10, Matt Goerke – 39
Cudby photos
