Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1449012
>>450SX Give Tomac an inch and he takes a mile. In the past, riders have relied on Tomac start- ing in the back and working his way through the pack. If everything works out right, you'll be so far out front by the time he reaches the pointy end of the field that you'll easily cruise to victory. That's a great game plan if Tomac doesn't get a start. But in 2022, he's proving he can. The number-three machine holeshotted two of the three main events and dominated every lap of those two mains. Last week, he said he's "bring- ing his practice starts to the racetrack," and that clearly is working for him. In race three he started near the front again but looked to play it safe to lock up the night's overall. His 1-1-3 results secured the win and added to his points lead. "That was my mindset for the night," Tomac said. "Put up a good score in the ROUND 5 / FEBRUARY 6, 2022 STATE FARM STADIUM / GLENDALE, ARIZONA P54 SUPERCROSS I MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES MYOWNRACE 23 CHASE SEXTON 3RD (11-3-1) 450SX "The first race was definitely not pre y," said Chase Sexton. "I actually did the exact same thing when I was a rookie in the 250 class, in my first Triple Crown—got a good start and I think I crashed like three mes. I was hoping not to replicate that, but I was having a hard me with the track and all day I was pre y much off. The second race I felt like I had a li le bit more of a flow, and then the third race I pulled the holeshot and tried to sprint away. I was actually having fun again; it was nice being out front, able to control it. Obviously, Eli didn't have to win, so I knew that going in, but I just wanted to go out there and put my best foot forward." 3 ELI TOMAC 1ST (1-1-3) 450SX "The win means a lot to me and puts us in a great spot for points posi on in the championship," said winner Eli Tomac. "My motorcycle was just so good the whole day, especially in the first two mains. My game plan was to go out and really just try to get the first race win and really set the tone for the night. It's really important with the Olympic scoring that they use for these events. So, in my mind, I knew I wanted to go out and win the first one and try to back it up. Obviously, we wanted to get all three, but I didn't get the holeshot as I did in the others. I just felt good." Malcolm Stewart captured his first Triple Crown podium, which was also the best Supercross finish of his career in the premier class.