Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ryan Dungey emerged victorious despite challenging track conditions at the 17th and final round of the 450SX Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Inclement weather cancelled the morning’s qualifying sessions as a major downpour occurred just after the first practice. As a result, the evening’s qualifying positions were pulled from the free practice, where Ryan Dungey put his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION atop the field, with Marvin Musquin in the 7th place position.
Both riders were seeded into 450SX Heat 2, where unfavorable track conditions awaited following hours of heavy rain. Despite the muddy obstacles, Dungey captured the holeshot and led all five laps of the heat race. Musquin began the race in the 5th place position where he was unable to make an advance into a transfer spot.
Musquin lined up in 450SX Semi 2, where he was able to secure a transfer position into the Main Event with a 3rd place finish.
Monster Energy/360 Fly/Chaparral/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Chad Reed lived up to his reputation as one of the fastest mud riders in the field and took the Semi 2 win and progressed into the main.
Main Event
In the 450SX Main Event, Dungey shot off the line to capture the holeshot and the early lead in the race, while Musquin followed close behind in 4th. Dungey led the first six laps of the Main Event before Ken Roczen made a pass to take over the lead. However, Roczen crashed through a rhythm section and Dungey, with nowhere to go, ran into him and crashed as well. Dungey quickly remounted and reclaimed the lead, while Roczen eventually pulled off.
Reed rode a consistent race and maintained a top-10 position over the full 16-lap main event to eventually finish one place outside the podium in fourth.
Meanwhile, Musquin was riding a solid pace inside the top five when he landed off a double and collided with another rider, causing him to crash hard. As a result, Musquin was forced to pull into the mechanic’s area to make adjustments to the bike.
Dungey held strong amidst a chaotic Main Event to capture his 9th victory of the season in Las Vegas.
“Tonight was a challenge and the track was tough with that drizzle (rain). I really needed that good start,”Dungey said. “I’m glad we got a win to end the season strong and get ready for what lies ahead. This is one of my best seasons in Supercross so far and I’m looking forward to more.”
Results 450SX Class Las Vegas 2016
1. Ryan Dungey (USA), KTM, 21:00.243 min (16 laps)
2. Jason Anderson (USA), Husqvarna, +11.927 sec
3. Eli Tomac (USA), Kawasaki, +35.924
4. Chad Reed (AUS), Yamaha, +54.031
5. Blake Baggett (USA), Suzuki, +58.530
Final Standings 450SX Class 2016 after 17 of 17 rounds
1. Dungey, 391 points
2. Ken Roczen (GER), Suzuki, 331
3. Anderson, 315
4. Tomac, 290
5. Reed, 250
Results East/West 250SX Class Las Vegas 2016
1. Joey Savatgy (USA), Kawasaki, 17:46.707 min (12 laps)
2. Zach Osborne (USA), Husqvarna, +6.862 sec
3. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Honda, +14.336
4. Aaron Plessinger (USA), Yamaha, +14.559
5. Gannon Audette (USA), Kawasaki, +26.138
Final Standings East 250SX Class 2016 after 9 of 9 rounds
1. Stewart, 180 points
2. Plessinger, 164
3. Jeremy Martin (USA), Yamaha, 147
4. Martin Davalos (USA), Husqvarna, 141
5. Tyler Bowers (USA), Kawasaki , 122
Final Standings West 250SX Class 2016 after 9 of 9 rounds
1. Cooper Webb (USA), Yamaha, 180 points
2. Savetgy, 179
3. Christian Craig (USA), Honda, 160
4. Osborne, 154
5. Colt Nichols (USA), Yamaha, 147