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/1542014
WIND IN THE P64 tunate … but I tried my best. I should have picked a better point to make a strike. The fact that we were as close as we were on a track that was not my favorite. I'm happy. We were good tonight but not quite good enough." Colt Nichols joined his Suzuki teammate on the overall podium with a third-place finish, going 3-6-4 and beating out Craig by just two points. Craig came into the night with a shot at the title but ended up fourth overall and third in the championship. His consistent performances also helped earn Quad Lock Honda the overall Team Championship. SX2 Max Anstie had the SX2 title all but wrapped up going into the South Africa finale, having won the overall in every round this season coming into the final. The question at round five was whether he would play it safe for the title or go for it to keep the win streak alive. Anstie an - swered that question during race one when defending champion Shane McElrath came out swing- ing with a win to start the night. Still, Anstie's second earned him enough points to clinch the championship with two gate drops still left in the night. The two rivals went at it in the final two races, but McElrath came out on top by putting in his best performance of the year. The Quad Lock Honda rider swept the night with 1-1-1 finishes, taking his first overall of the year and putting an end to Anstie's perfect season. "We persevered, and it was an uphill battle," said McElrath immediately after his first overall triumph of the season. "We learned a lot this year as a team and [me] also personally. The fans here in South Africa have been a real treat, and I'm proud to hear the American anthem. We're excited to end up on top tonight." Anstie's 2-2-2 proved good enough for the title and for sec - ond overall in South Africa. "I cannot give it up enough to my wife and little son and the whole Star Yamaha crew back in America," said Anstie. "The bike never missed a beat, and, of course, Serge [team owner Serge Guidetty] and all the guys at the GSM team here. It's awesome to make this whole collaboration work. Supercross felt like such a dream, and it took me so long to get to the top. I'm in a solid spot in my career." Enzo Lopes held third going into the final race, but his Rick Ware Racing teammate Coty Schock's 5-4-3 scores landed him onto the final spot on the box for the night and third in the season's final standings. Lopes was eighth overall and fifth in the points standings with 136 points, behind Cullin Park (144 points). "There are a lot of things I should feel happy about, but the last few weekends have not gone my way," Schock said. "Third on the night, third for the season though: I felt we made progress on the bike, and it showed." CN SX1 (Top 5) 1. Jason Anderson (Suz) 1-1-1 2. Joey Savatgy (Hon) 2-2-2 3. Colt Nichols (Suz) 3-6-4 4. Christian Craig (Hon) 5-8-3 5. Luke Clout (Kaw) 4-4-8 SX2 (Top 5) 1. Shane McElrath (Hon) 1-1-1 2. Max Anstie (Yam) 2-2-2 3. Coty Schock (Yam) 5-4-3 4. Cullin Park (Hon) 3-6-5 5. Kyle Peters (Kaw) 6-5-7 Shane McElrath got back to his winning ways with 1-1-1 finishes. Max Anstie secured the SX2 title with a second-place finish.