Features 17 Mar 2020

Top 10: Supercross as it stands

The story so far following 10 rounds of the 2020 season.

In this instalment of Top 10, we highlight the storylines that have shaped the first 10 rounds of Monster Energy Supercross as the championship goes on hold amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Image: Octopi Media.

1. Champions up in the air:
With the rest of the season on hold, and no confirmation of when it will resume, the biggest question is will the current points leaders be crowned champions? It’s not yet clear what exactly will happen, especially if the series doesn’t resume. But, it remains an ongoing talking point until we receive a direction from Supercross organisers.

2. Season remainder postponed:
It’s going to be one of the biggest storylines for years to come, but the remainder of the series being postponed was news came suddenly. At first, the Indianapolis round was cancelled, and within the next couple of the days, the championship was to be rescheduled altogether due to the coronavirus.

3. Tomac’s best run yet:
This season has seen Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) put in one of his strongest campaigns yet, and as it stands, he sits atop the 450SX points standing. In fact, just 10 rounds in, he’s already scored more points than any of his previous premier class campaigns, which just goes to show how strong he is in 2020.

4. Webb’s title defence hit and miss:
It certainly hasn’t been the title defence that Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) anticipated, and just as he put himself right in the mix, he experienced that setback with a nasty crash in Texas. He was able to pull through and line-up at the following rounds with a couple of podiums, positioning himself third in the championship, 29 points behind Tomac.

5. Roczen in form:
It’s been an incredible campaign to date for Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC), who finally broke through to claim his first win since that accident in 2017. The factory Honda rider has notched a total of three wins this year with numerous podiums, and find himself in the thick of the title fight, being just three points down on the leader.

Image: Octopi Media.

6. Cianciarulo impresses:
It’s safe to say there were high expectations for Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) this year, he’s delivered on those expectations. With a podium on debut at A1, the rookie has had some up and down performances – and missed the last couple of rounds with injury – but we were sure a win was around the corner before the season was ultimately postponed.

7. Arrival of Jett Lawrence:
The arrival of Geico Honda’s Jett Lawrence really took the industry by storm, and he instantly became a hit with fans. Unfortunately, the 16-year-old Australian’s run came to a premature end at A2, but it was enough to show we’re in store for in the years to come.

8. Tickle returns:
Following two years on the sidelines with an anti-doping sanction, Broc Tickle made his return to Supercross at the Tampa round. Scoring a last minute ride with JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Racing, he finished 12th on the night, but suffered a hand injury a week later.

9. Ferrandis and Craig clash:
It was one of the biggest talking points this season, and that was the clash between Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing) and Christian Craig at Anaheim 2. While the riders seemingly got over the incident, fans continued to talk about for weeks to come.

10. Reed extends record:
Two-time champion and Supercross legend hasn’t been his usual competitive self this year in his ‘one last ride’ tour, but the Honda pilot has still put himself in every main event bar one. Completing his 250th start at A1, the Australian how now extended his all-time start record to 258.

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