Cycle News

VOL. 52 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 6, 2015 P57 just so surreal." Thanks to a productive off- season, Nelson says he had a lot of confidence coming into the Anaheim opener and once he saw the track he said he had a good feeling about the race. "After the track walk, I told my mechanic I was going to win today, and I figured I bet- ter back it up or I'd look like a jackass," said Nelson. This year's A1 track was rath- er simple, making it difficult to pass on, so a good start was mandatory if you planned on finishing up front. In the main, Nelson nailed the drop of the gate, and was clearly in the lead at the exit of turn one. "Once I got the start, I tried to sprint for about five laps. I just tried to maintain and make sure Zach stayed in the same spot every lap. If he got a little closer to me I'd wick it up and put him back to where he was. The track was tough in that it was really slick and you just had to be con- sistent. There weren't a lot of places to pass, so I knew if someone was behind me and they were faster, then they would have to put a wheel in on me pretty hard to pass. So I just got the holeshot and started sprinting." In addition to being healthy, Nelson contributes some of his success to the team's switch to KTM. (The team previously rode Hondas.) "It was a huge change, but it wasn't difficult at all making the switch," said Nelson. "As soon as I hopped on it I loved it. It's just a step in the road and we're going to keep going." Although he already "proved" himself to a cer- tain extent in last year's outdoor series, by taking a moto win in Indiana, Nelson still felt he had some- thing to prove when it came to Supercross. "Supercross is completely different for me," said Nelson. "I've always been an outdoor rider, and I've never had a chance to prove myself as a Supercross rider. Last year, I was on the bike five days before A1 and I was coming in so far behind and out of shape, so when I got the eight-week break, I put it to good use. I had a good season in outdoors and showed flashes of brilliance, and then I came into this year healthy, and tonight I just kind of put it together." When asked why he felt so comfortable that he could predict a win at A1, Nelson said that he knew he had to make something happen this year. "I know my abilities and I've put in a ton of work," said Nelson. "I've put in hours in the gym, hun- dreds of miles on the bike and all the riding. Com- ing in, I was thinking this is all or nothing. If this year isn't it, then I'm done." Nelson also reflected on his years with the Troy Lee Designs team, which goes all the way back to Nelson's amateur days. "I think team manager TK [Tyler Keefe] and I kind of butted heads when I was younger, I mean 16, 17 years old, I just should have listened a little more, but I'm just glad they stuck with me and gave me advice and helped me grow," said Nelson. Looking ahead, Nelson carries a three-point lead into next week's round in Phoenix. He says he's not going to let his first win get to his head. "I'm not going to worry about points," said Nel- son. "I'm just going to take it one race at a time; that's how I did it when I was a kid, and I won a lot of races. "To come out swinging at A1 is awesome, it shows we've been putting in the work. I feel like we were really prepared coming into this weekend. I feel like the whole team is really solid and it's go- ing to be a good year." CN UNDER THE 250-CLASS WIN TIMER Jessy Nelson put on a dominant performance at the AMA Supercross season opener to take his first win.

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