Ken Roczen has brought an end to Ryan Dungey’s 450SX win streak claiming the chequered flag in Phoenix.
By Hayden Gregory
The first ever race held at the University of Phoenix Stadium was action packed, providing great entertainment for the 53 thousand strong crowd. As the premier class lined up for the main event Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey aimed for four straight wins and a daunting championship lead for all other riders.
Gates dropped and Davi Millsaps scored his second SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award for the year before Roczen moved into the lead a few turns later. Eli Tomac and Cole Seely stalked Millsaps before both moving past the quick starter.
After a bad start Dungey found himself needing to work through the field coming from outside the top five to eventually capture Seely on lap five.
Roczen maintained a level head out in front, showing the fans what they have come to except from the rider. Danger loomed as Dungey edged closer passing Tomac for second on lap fifteen. The final few laps remained intense yet the top three positions would not change as Ken Roczen secured his first victory for 2016.
Dungey finished second keeping his string of podium finishes alive with Tomac holding onto a much deserved third. Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson claimed fourth while Millsaps crossed the line in fifth place.
“We have been working really hard and it paid off,” said Roczen. “This was a tough track tonight. We got the job done.”
The win marked Roczen’s fifth career victory in the class, winning two in his first two seasons. The victory leaves Roczen 21 points behind Dungey in overall standings with the Red Bull KTM rider’s consistency proving very important.
“I made some good, clean passes after that bad start,” said Dungey. “I made passes where I could and had a great race.”
Chad Reed was once again pick of the Aussie riders finishing sixth overall in the main. Congratulations must also go to Lawson Bopping who continues to impress in the States, qualifying for the main once more before recording a career best 16th place finish.
2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Round five – Glendale, AZ
450SX Class results:
1. Ken Roczen
2. Ryan Dungey
3. Eli Tomac
4. Jason Anderson
5. Davi Millsaps
6. Chad Reed (AUS)
7. Justin Brayton
8. Cole Seely
9. Marvin Musquin
10. Wil Hahn
16. Lawson Bopping (AUS)
450SX Class championship standings:
1. Ryan Dungey 119
2. Ken Roczen 98
3. Jason Anderson 93
4. Chad Reed (AUS) 90
5. Eli Tomac 88
6. Cole Seely 83
7. Marvin Musquin 63
8. Davi Millsaps 61
9. Justin Brayton 61
10. Jake Weimer 53
21. Lawson Bopping (AUS) 13
