Breakout 450SX victory to Plessinger in rain-affected San Diego
Thrasher edges to first 250SX main event win of 2024 season.
Image: Octopi Media.
Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger has broken through for a first-career 450SX victory in San Diego, navigating the tricky conditions on a night that Nate Thrasher found himself back in the 250SX winner’s circle.
Plessinger was exceptional in rain-soaked conditions, winning his heat race and then going on to control the main event with an emotion-charged 2.188s win.
Behind him, Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) did all he could to close the gap from as high as seven seconds, but a runner-up was a strong way to bounce back onto the podium, and joined by Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas).
Fourth was Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) after edging Jason Anderson (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – the pair exchanging words post-race – while Dylan Ferrandis (Phoenix Racing Honda), Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC), Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM) after an early fall, Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Dean Wilson (Fire Power Honda) were the top 10.
Plessinger becomes the third red plate-holder of the year, a single point up on teammate Sexton, with Anaheim 1 winner Lawrence a further three points back.
Image: Octopi Media.
Thrasher starred on his way to a first 250SX West win in the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season, 1.203s up on early leader Garrett Marchbanks (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha).
After going 21-18 in the opening rounds, Thrasher turned his season around win an important result, while Marchbanks made it two podiums in a row. Completing the top three was red plate-holder Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing).
Fourth was Jo Shimoda (Team Honda HRC) ahead of Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), as late-faller RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), Mitchell Oldenburg (MCR Honda), Ryder DiFrancesco (TLD Red Bull GasGas), Hunter Yoder (Partzilla PRMX Kawasaki) and Anthony Bourdon (BarX Suzuki) were sixth through 10th.
Smith now has an eight-point advantage over Kitchen in the standings, with Marchbanks now third leading into Anaheim 2’s first Triple Crown round of the season next weekend.
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