Photo: Courtesy of KTM – Hoppenworld

The Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, Western Regional Lites Class headed to the high desert for round two and the Phoenix Supercross. After the unexpected win by Cole Seely at the opener in Anaheim, many wondered if the number thirty-four could make it two in a row in Phoenix, but a pre-season favorite would jump in and steal the show. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson came to Phoenix a bit ill with a virus, but left feeling no pain after his first Main Event win of the new year. After a third place start, the Scottish-Canadian California-transplant made a quick two-for-one pass on Red Bull/KTM’s Marvin Musquin and teammate Tyla Rattray for the lead and proceeded to check out. By the time the checkered flag flew, Deano had a comfortable lead and his first Western Regional Lites Main Event win on his resume.

Following Deano for all fifteen laps to nail down his first-ever Supercross Lites Class podium was Marvin Musquin. Marvin, like Deano, made an opening lap move around Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray and held his track position for the entire main event. The former MX2 World Champion’s technical style seems to fit well on a Supercross track, and we expect the Frenchman to become a regular on the box as the series moves on.

Dean Wilson - Phoenix Supercross - 2012
Dean Wilson rebounded from his disappointing sixth place finish at the opener with a win in Phoenix. The 2011 AMA 250 National Champion now sits in third only two points out of first in the Western Regional Lites title chase. Photo: Courtesy of Supercross.com (click to enlarge)

Making it an all international Lites West podium was the South African Tyla Rattray. Tyla holeshotted the main event, but by the end of lap one found himself relegated to third. After fending off the early attack from Monster Energy/Bike-it/Cosworth/Yamaha’s Zach Osbourne, the former MX2 World Champ rode his own race to earn his second podium of the young 2012 season. With that third place finish, Tyla has earned the right to wear the Championship leader’s red plate next weekend at Dodger Stadium. Coming into 2012, Tyla was not on the top of anyone’s lists as a Championship favorite, but he’s now on top of the most important list of all: the Championship points list.

Heading into Phoenix, much of the attention was focused on the Anaheim 1 winner Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda’s Cole Seely and GEICO Powersports/Honda’s Eli Tomac—and the attention would remain on them and their battle throughout the Main Event. Both Eli and Cole got off to bad starts, and after finding each other in the field, came through the pack together. Tomac rode a very intelligent Main Event behind Seely, and every time Seely made a move forward, Tomac went with him. By the end of the Main, the two had come back from a mid-pack start to sit fourth and fifth. They battled tough to the end with Tomac eventually getting the better of Seely to grab fourth while Seely hung on for a solid fifth.

Marvin_Musquin_US_SX_Phoenix_Supercross_2012
Marvin Musquin held off the South African Tyla Rattray to earn his best ever Monster Energy Supercross Lites finish. Photo: Courtesy of KTM - Hoppenworld (click to enlarge)

As the Monster Energy Western Regional Supercross Lites series heads to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles next Saturday, the top five finishers in Phoenix are separated by a mere four points in the Championship. With a Championship this deep with talent and points this tight, you can expect an all out war to develop in the coming weeks. This is one of those Championships that may just come down to who can get the most podiums rather than most wins.

Next stop, Los Angeles!

Check out post race interviews with all three podium finishers »

Race Results: Phoenix Supercross – Lites West

View full results from Phoenix SX »

 1. Dean Wilson (KAW)
 2. Marvin Musquin (KTM
 3. Tyla Rattray (KAW)
 4. Eli Tomac (HON)
 5. Cole Seely (HON)
 6. Zach Osbourne (YAM)
 7. Jason Anderson (SUZ)
 8. Nico Izzi (YAM)
 9. Max Anstie (YAM)
 10. Travis Baker (HON)
Tyla Rattray - Phoenix Supercross - 2012
With a one point lead in the points standings, Tyla will run the red background next weekend at Dodger Stadium. Photo: Courtesy of Supercross.com (click to enlarge)

AMA Supercross – Lites West Points

View full points standings »

 1 28 Tyla Rattray Wildomar, CA, USA 42
 2 34 Cole Seely Murrieta, CA, USA 41
 3 15 Dean Wilson Menifee, CA, USA 40
 4 38 Marvin Musquin Murrieta, CA, USA 40
 5 17 Eli Tomac Cortez, CO, USA 38
 6 44 Jason Anderson Edgewood, NM, USA 28
 7 338 Zachary Osborne Chesterfield, SC, USA 27
 8 50 Nico Izzi Menifee, CA, USA 22
 9 51 Travis Baker Temecula, CA, USA 22
 10 119 Max Anstie Hemet, CA, USA 17
Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.