Photos by Chris Kinman and Bayo Olukotun
Rains pounded Southern California in the days preceding the second of three Anaheim Supercross events, but thanks to the hard work of the Dirt Wurx crew, the track was whipped into excellent shape for the third round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series. Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey earned his second Supercross main event win in a row with a masterful performance that saw him battle past San Manuel Yamaha teammates Josh Hill and James Stewart, who finished second and third, respectively. In the Western Regional Supercross Lites Main event, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer earned his third-consecutive win and maintains his perfect season record. Lucas Oils/Troy Lee Designs/Honda rider Wil Hahn was second at the finish and celebrated his first-ever podium appearance, while Geico Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard raced through the pack for third.
SUPERCROSS LITES QUALIFYING
When the gate dropped for the first six-lap Supercross Lites qualifier, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen led the way through the first corner, but he had Rockstar Suzuki’s Ryan Morais hot on his tail. Morais was rear-ended in the air by another rider and knocked out of the race on lap one, though, leaving Hansen with an easy win over Lucas Oils/Troy Lee/Honda rider Cole Seely. Trey Canard was mired at the start but mowed through the field quickly, but was too far back to be a threat to the top two finishers. Travis Baker, Chris Gosselaar, Sean “Borkensausage” Borkenhagen, Ryan Clark, Bob Kiniry, and Jay Mann Jr. rounded out the direct transfers.
Hansen’s teammate and Western Regional Supercross Lites series points leader Jake Weimer was quickest off the line in the second heat race. Frenchman Gautier Paulin, Broc Tickle and Blake Wharton gave chase, but it was largely in vain as Weimer raced away with a comfortable lead. Paulin went down in the treacherous set of third-base line whoops and collected Wharton in the process.This left Lucas Oil/Troy Lee/Honda rider Wil Hahn with control of third to the finish, confortably ahead of Maxx Anstie. Jeff Alessi, Antonio Balbi, Tanner Riedman and Jake Canada filled the nine direct transfer positions.
Wharton took control of the LCQ and won easily, in spite of a first-lap bobble that nearly ended his night. DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha guest rider Paulin booted Team Hostility rider Eric McCrummen on the last lap to earn the final transfer position.
SUPERCROSS LITES MAIN EVENT
When the gate dropped at the start of the 15-lap Supercross Lites main event, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammates Weimer and Hansen led Hahn, Gosselaar, Paulin, and Canard. Hahn muscled his way past Hansen and into second at the start of the third lap and set after Weimer, who had already established a four-second lead. Behind Hansen, Paulin, Canard and Cole Seely waged a three-way battle for fourth that helped them close the gap on Hansen’s #100 bike.
At the halfway point, Weimer enjoyed a five-second lead over Hahn, who had a small cushion over Hansen, Paulin and Seely. Canard made an aggressive pass on Paulin at the start of the ninth lap, relegating the Frenchman to fifth. Once into fourth, Canard smelled blood and set out after Hansen, and the final spot on the podium. Canard made the pass with relative ease with two laps to go, and from there, the podium positions were set. At the checkered flag, Weimer celebrated his third-straight win, over Hahn in his second podium appearance of his career, and Canard, who was the hardest charger in the main event. Hansen held on for fourth ahead of Seely.
SUPERCROSS LITES MAIN EVENT RESULTS
1. Jake Weimer (Kaw)
2. Wil Hahn (Hon)
3. Trey Canard (Hon)
4. Josh Hansen (Kaw)
5. Cole Seely (Hon)
6. Gautier Paulin (Yam)
7. Max Anstie (Yam)
8. Blake Wharton (Hon)
9. Travis Baker (Yam)
10. Broc Tickle (Yam)
11. Bob Kiniry (Suz)
12. Jeff Alessi (Yam)
13. Antonio Balbi (Kaw)
14. Sean Borkenhagen (KTM)
15. Ryan Clark (Hon)
16. Chris Gosselaar (Hon)
17. Hunter Hewitt (Suz)
18. Tanner Riedman (Hon)
19. Jay Mann Jr. (Kaw)
20. Jake Canada (Kaw)
TAGS: Anaheim, anaheim 2, jake weimer, james stewart, josh hansen, josh hill, kevin windham, Monster Energy Supercross, ryan dungey, ryan villopoto, trey canard, wil hahn
