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/646962
SUPERCROSS MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES, AN FIM WORLD ROUND 8 / FEBRUARY 27, 2016 GEORGIA DOME / ATLANTA, GEORGIA P42 450SX When the 450 bikes thundered off the line, heat-race winner Justin Brayton made the most of his number-one gate pick by snagging the holeshot, but Mus- quin made short work of him and was leading before the second turn. Dungey almost immediately attached himself to his training partner's rear wheel, where he would stay for another 18 laps. "He had all the lines covered so well, I was unable to get inside of him," said Dungey afterwards. Musquin did seem to have Dungey covered as the pair slowly pulled away from Reed, who was all alone in third the entire race. The only other rider to displace Brayton was Georgia native Davi Millsaps, who rode well on his BTO Sports KTM despite an in- jured thumb and a sinus infection. He maintained fourth to the finish. Things were heating up behind the front five, as HRC Honda's Cole Seely and Rock- star Energy Husqvarna's Jason Anderson took their heated rivalry to a more physical level, with Anderson again coming out on top, but costing both riders valuable points. It looked like the former 250SX East Champion, Mus- quin, was headed for his first 450SX-class win as they took the white flag. Musquin was con- fident that his teammate wasn't going to do anything crazy. Both riders were battling wide open, moving past lappers seamlessly, until they caught up to Stewart, who was buried in the pack but determined to complete all 20 laps, something he had not done yet this year. Whether or not that had anything to do with what transpired, the three riders entered a 180-degree left-hand bowl turn with Stewart slightly ahead and Dungey breathing down Musquin's back. As they exited the turn, Stewart pulled his Suzuki down towards the inside in an attempt to stay out of the way, but in doing so, he caused Musquin to hesitate just enough to come up short on the triple that followed. As Musquin careened from one side of the track to the other with his feet off the pegs, Dungey somehow avoided landing on him and leapt into the lead and took the win. Musquin managed to keep from crashing, even while bouncing off the Tuff Blocks lining the track. The stadium erupted in applause as Dungey notched his fifth win of the season, followed by a subdued Musquin. "Right now I'm happy and dis- appointed at the same time," he said. "It was my best finish yet on a 450. To be able to do 19 laps with Ryan behind me was a great feeling."