Craig Improves

Season-best for Craig with sixth in Detroit 450SX main event

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Section: Competition Post: Troy Guenther

Husqvarna rider takes another step with solid Ford Field showing.

Image: Align Media.

The gradual progress of 450SX contender Christian Craig continued in Detroit and the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider scored his best result of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross season to date with P6 in the main event.

This year marks Craig’s first full-time in the premier class of Supercross, and he posted the seventh fastest time in qualifying at Ford Field.

After completing his heat race in P5, Craig progressively worked his way forwards during round 10’s main event. Concluding the opening lap in 10th position, the 31-year-old reached sixth by the closing stages, keeping his nose clean to bank a season-high 17 points.

“It started off pretty good. I was gelling with the track and feeling good in practice but rode tight in the heat and made some mistakes,” Craig said. “I found my groove a little bit in the main after a mid-pack start. I came through the pack, clicked off my laps, and took advantage of mistakes. I didn’t ride my best but was consistent and able to work my way up to sixth. I need to work on attacking and being better.”

Craig’s previous best result in 2023 was P7, which he achieved at both Oakland and Indianapolis. The number 28 is currently eighth in the 450SX standings with seven rounds remaining, with the next gate-drop of the series coming at Lumen Field, Seattle on Saturday.

MXGP Sardegna

More Craziness from Detroit

Chase Sexton Penalized, Will Keep Detroit Win

by Aubrey Schoeneman March 18, 2023, 11:02 pm

Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton won a wild main event at Detroit, Round 10 of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship.

According to Supercross Live, Sexton was penalized seven points after jumping on a red cross flag, but was still credited with the main event win.

Cooper Webb, finishing second, still leads the championship, now by 5 points after taking second on the night.

AP.....The Agony of Defeat!

AP came as close as you can to winning Detroit Supercross and with seconds left he threw it away.

Sports can be very tough.

GNCC...Wild Boar

Ferrandis Return Delayed

Late return during 450SX season the target of Ferrandis

Star Racing rider provides update on recovery and expected comeback.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis is targeting a return to competition before the end of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship.

Ferrandis, 28, crashed violently during the 450SX main in Houston, bringing out the red flag after hitting his head in the fall and later followed the concussion protocol.

He was set to make a return in Daytona, but after an additional crash during the press day for the event he withdrew from round eight, also missing Indy last weekend. The latest update provided has indicated that number 14 has started a rehab program and aims to make a return in approximately six weeks.

“After my crash at Houston and Daytona, I needed further evaluation,” commented the Frenchman. “I just started a three-week rehab to make sure everything is okay and with the goal to come back in around six weeks.”

Prior to the incident at Houston, Ferrandis delivered a relatively solid start to the season, notching 4-6-5 results in the opening three races.

Does Webb Stay With KTM?

He has taken over the red plate in supercross but Cooper Webb only has a one year deal with Red Bull

KTM, with Davi Millsaps saying on PulpMX that Cooper, “doesn’t like the atmosphere he is in right now.”

So, with Chase Sexton rumoured to be heading Orange next year, Webb might be on the move as a free agent and could end up on Kawasaki, Honda or Yamaha – but will Tomac race again in 2024 after all and stay with Yamaha?

It means in an era where there is usually only one A guy per team, Webb, who could be champ this year, would potentially be sharing a semi with Sexton at KTM, Jett Lawrence at Honda or even Eli Tomac at Star Yamaha, if Eli keeps racing!

Steve Matthes talks to Davi Millsaps and Andrew Short about Webb’s options for next season with Davi providing some unique insight:

Husky Tough Guy!

Heikki

RIP Dave Nicoll

 Dave Nicoll

 

Infront Moto Racing and the FIM are sad to share that former MXGP Race Director Dave Nicoll recently passed at the age of 79.

Dave Nicoll was a former motocross rider and FIM Motocross World Championship Race Director from 2000 to 2013. 

Nicoll began motorcycle racing at the age of 16 and started competing in the FIM 500cc Motocross World Championship in 1964. His first win came at the 1969 MXGP of Luxembourg and the following year, in what was a huge moment, he beat Joel Robert and Jeff Smith to win the Trans AMA Motocross Series.

Nicoll stopped competing in 1978 and worked as the manager of the British Motocross des Nations team. When his son, Kurt Nicoll began competing in the FIM Motocross World Championship, Dave Nicoll became his team manager. 

After his son retired from competition in 1997, Nicoll was hired by the FIM to become the Race Director for the FIM Motocross World Championship. He was a real gentleman and an invaluable member of the Motocross paddock. The MXGP family extends its deepest condolences to his family, and his many friends during these hard times.

Words and image: InFront Moto Racing

CA Rain Continues!