Rider Comments from Spring Creek

Features 21 Jul 2021

Quotebook: 2021 Pro Motocross Rd6 Spring Creek

Section: Events Post: MotoOnline

Assorted racer comments following the sixth round of the season.

450MX

 

Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – First:
It was good to get back on the podium. I felt good all day and my confidence was up. I’ve been working on my starts and everything, and it all came together today getting two holeshots and being able to get out front quick and ride my own race. The first moto was wild, lots of pressure, and second moto I made a push behind Kenny and tried to get him but he rode a good race. I’m stoked for the whole team, it’s great to get this win and we’re definitely going to be looking for a lot more.

Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing) – Third:
It was not the best day for me at Millville. I didn’t have a good feeling in practice. Then in the first moto, I got a good start and was fighting for the win but couldn’t find a way to pass (Justin) Barcia and finished second. In moto two, I got a bad start and then crashed after the downhill on the first lap and had another crash on lap two. I had to dig deep to come back to fifth and managed to finish third overall. It was a good day for the points, but I’m not really happy with myself. We’re going to get back to training next week to be ready for Washougal.

Christian Craig (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing) – Fifth:
I had a pretty good day at Millville and was able to ride more like myself and be towards the front. I had some good battles in both motos to come away with fifth overall. I’m excited to keep this momentum going for Washougal!

Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) – Eighth:
Millville was looking to be our weekend. We had the fastest qualifier in the second one, so pole position going into the start, and I was able to pick my gate. I had a pretty good jump right out of the gate, but we just got clobbered in the first turn. I had somebody ride straight into the side of me and really had to catch my breath and make sure that my ribs were okay. My bike was actually pretty destroyed too, so we couldn’t finish the first moto. It was a tough one and I’m really banged up and bruised up, but we were going back out for the second moto. With the 40th gate pick, I actually got a halfway decent gate on the inside; it wasn’t ideal, but I was making it work. I got off to a pretty decent start, snuck around the inside a couple of times and was in third, then second, and made quick work of [Justin] Barcia on the first lap and pretty much led the whole way through. I was pumped after a really hard get-off and being super sore. To come back and take that second moto was the one thing that we could do after a big crash, so I’m really pumped on how we at least ended it. It definitely hurt the championship, but at the same time we have to be glad that we’re healthy and ready to go again in Washougal.

Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – Second:
First, I want to thank the Monster Energy Kawasaki team for all their hard work. We’ve tried a few different setups this year, but today was the most comfortable I’ve felt on the bike, as you can tell by my second moto performance. We didn’t change much from last week, other than slightly dropping the forks, but that seemed to make all the difference and I felt like a completely different rider during moto two. We’re in a good spot and will look to carry this momentum forward to be upfront in both motos moving forward.

Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) – Fourth:
Round six at Millville was a step in the right direction, for sure. I qualified well and felt a lot better on the bike this weekend – more comfortable. In the first moto, I went down with Kenny in the first corner, which was unfortunate after we qualified first and third. After that, I put my head down and made it back to seventh. I wasted a lot of energy coming from the back of the pack. In the second moto, I was able to find a good flow with the track and made my way back up to third and stayed there for fourth overall. Hopefully, we’re trending in the right direction now and can keep this going into Washougal.

Dean Wilson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – 10th:
Today was one of my better days. I do wish I was a little healthier to give it a little bit more but 10th was the best I had today. My starts were good but I just need to try and get better and get my health better as well but we’ll take it and just try to keep getting better.

Brandon Hartranft (Twisted Tea HEP Suzuki) – 13th:
It was a solid day. In moto one we had an issue and missed the gate drop. The race started and we took off about 20 seconds later. I came from literally last to 14th, so I was very happy with that ride. In moto two I had a great start, I think I was sixth; it was great battling up front with those guys. About 10 minutes in I had a problem, let some guys by, and dropped back to about 13th. I ended up passing for 12th with two laps to go. I feel like I’m riding really well so we’ll just take the positives and keep moving forward.

Max Anstie (Twisted Tea HEP Suzuki) – 11th:
Here at Millville we did well. I think we made some progress. I’m happy with my performance today. In the second moto I was riding well, and I actually tipped over, then I came back to 11th, which was okay. We’ve been searching, we’ve made a few steps, and we’re definitely on the right track and closer – closer to being in that race [at the front]. We’re looking forward to Washougal next week and we’re going to give it to ’em there.