Ryan Dungey emerges victorious at a muddy Las Vegas Supercross finale

17th Rd. Supercross 2016 – Las Vegas, NV (USA)

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.

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 lost control and crashed through a rhythm section soon after, 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.

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.”

Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM riders survive mother-nature torn Supercross finale
What started off as a nice day turned into a rider’s worst nightmare when the teams pitted at the Supercross finale at Sam Boyd Stadium were greeted with torrential rain and hail, leaving a once well-groomed track a muddy mess. With the laps cut down due to an extremely deteriorating track, Mitchell Oldenburg scored 12th, while Shane McElrath finished 17th.

In a refreshed format for the 250 riders at the finale, east and west would race in the same main event, vying for valuable points. Oldenburg wasn’t able to get out to the start he wanted, but after coming across the first lap in 16th, he put in steady laps to finish the night in 12th aboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.
 
“This was a super tough race and I just did my best to keep it on two wheels,” said Oldenburg. “I’m glad it’s over and really looking forward to starting fresh when we line up for the first motocross race in two weeks.”

It wasn’t McElrath’s night but he still showcased his never-give-up attitude while tackling the brutal Las Vegas track. He came across the opening lap in 20th and despite the distance between him and the next riders; he eventually was able to make it up to 17th.

With the final Supercross race in the books, the team turns its attention to the Pro Motocross Series that will celebrate its season opener in two weeks outside Sacramento, California. This should also mark the return of Jessy Nelson, who was injured early in the season.

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
Other KTM
7. Justin Brayton (USA), KTM, 15 laps
21. Marvin Musquin (FRA), KTM, 6 laps, +59.219
22. David Millsaps (USA), KTM, 3 laps 

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
Other KTM
7. Musquin, 214
8. Brayton, 200
14. Millsaps, 106

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
Other KTM
12. Mitchell Oldenburg (USA), KTM, +1:22.903 min
17. Shane McElrath (USA), KTM, 11 laps, +1:43.838

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
Other KTM
7. McElrath, 113
11. Justin Hill (USA), KTM, 63
14. Alex Frye (USA), KTM, 56

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
Other KTM
6. Oldenburg, 122
20. Jessy Nelson (USA), KTM, 22

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