Welcome to week 4 of Monster Energy Supercross! this was the first week all the teams and fans got a chance to leave southern California and head north to Oakland. The weather seemed a bit grim during the week with grey clouds, but not much moisture was let loose after the track had been finished so the dirtwurx crew had it easily taken care of with some light tarp. Saturday the sun began to shine and fans started piling in for a good day of racing.
Colt got out on track first as usual and put down a time of 56.832 in a little softer session 1. Following that up with a 55.032 in session 2 to put him in 5th qualifying position for racing. Colt sporting the 40th Anniversary Answer MX gear.
Tommy’s veteran ability showed all day seeming un-phased by the conditions. Putting in a 58.046 in first practice and a 56.482 in the second round.
Riders were unfortunate this weekend with un-timed free practice being cancelled prior to qualifying due to track conditions.
Mid-day in the pits kept the riders, mechanics, and team all busy as ever. Switching out some small parts and dialing in final settings for the night program, the guys took it easy and watched some practice tape while getting some solid lunch in their bellies. Going over the practice tape with the guys from Enzo Racing suspension, the relationship between the riders and enzo seems to get better every week, as they were out again this past week between A2 and Oakland doing more testing with Colt and beginning to get Luke Renzland dialed in for the east coast rounds.
Colt got off to a great start of the night, chose gate 9 just inside of the doghouse, was unfortunately bumped off the start and had to make up time almost immediately. Showing his confidence and not panicking he climbed his way to 8th and a qualifying spot after just one lap and right by Leib in the next corner for 7th. By lap 3 he had made the pass on Deceits for 6th after 2 laps of battling. With 2 laps togo he made his way by Noren and Mellross for 4th, then grabbing 3rd from his buddy Cole Thompson. Colt would finish in a very strong 3rd following Cooper Webb and Christian Craig.
Up next was Tommy Hahn, grabbing an inside get in heat #2 rounding the first corner in 10th just behind Chad Reed. Coming around the 1st lap in ninth spot and making his way to 8th on lap 2. He would then settle into a battle with Jake Weimer for the remainder of the race, moving by him into 7th with two laps to go and finishing the heat race there.
Semi #2 would start off well for Tommy fighting for 5th position off the start with Nicoletti but then falling in line in 6th. With notable names of Anderson, Weimer, Millsaps, and Pourcel in this semi. Tommy would drop to 8th after the completion of lap 1 but begin to move forward from there. Grabbing 6th by lap 2 and just sitting one spot out of qualifying. On lap 3 he was able to grab 5th spot and a qualifying position, but it was unfortunately short lived after a few minor mistakes dropped him back to 7th in the competitive field where he would finish and head to the LCQ.
The LCQ started off with Tommy in gate #6 inside of the box, he would round the first corner around 11th and get the love on from there. Making his way to 7th half a lap into it, finding 6th by the green flag and quickly moving by Tedder on lap 2. Taking 5th, then 4th from Raper and grabbing a qualifying spot with 2 laps togo and Pourcel close behind in tow. After Tommy, Pourcel, Bopping, and Eticknap would all dice for position over the next 2 laps. Unfortunately leaving Tommy on the outside looking in when the checkers flew, as his last corner block pass attempt on Eticknap would fall short.
The 250 SX West main in Oakland would be all the rage and excitement for the CycleTrader / Rock River Yamaha team. Colt lined up in gate #7 three spots inside of the doghouse. After getting buried off the start Colt was as deep as 19th in the first corner, but the confidence was back as Colt was about to shut down anyones false hope. By the end of lap 1 Colt made his way all the way 9th taking advantage of the traffic all being close together. Settling behind Oldenburg for the first few laps Colt would make his way by on lap 3, wasting no time on Peters in the next position Colt moved into 7th after lap 4. The race leader tucked a front end on lap 4, moving Colt up to an impressive 5th by the start of lap 5. Keeping a strong pace sitting just 7.8 seconds off the leader Webb, Colt would advance forward to find Jordon Smith of the Geico Honda team, moving by for 4th spot on lap 8.
Closing in on Alex Martin with 7 laps togo, Colt would lay down the latest lap on the track and move by as Alex unfortunately collided with the over under bridge. Finding himself in a podium spot of 3rd Colt continued to do the same, putting in hard consistent laps with no discouragement continuing to strive forward. With just 3 laps to go, Yamaha stablemate and current leader Cooper Webb would come under some odd bike problems, there to reap the benefits was the #69 Colt Nihols, ending up in 2nd with just two and a half laps togo. Colt would finish the race there, all the off- season hard work and preparation all paying off doing the team extremely proud and grabbing his career best finish!!!
On behalf of the CycleTrader / Rock River Yamaha team we’d like to congratulate Colt Nichols on stellar weekend with a career best finish and we all look forward to more! A special thank you to Scott Rabon the teams Crew Chief for all his hard work, and the guys at Enzo Racing suspension for their endless support and communication with the riders to make improvements. Tommy is looking to bounce back next weekend after a slightly off weekend, but we can guarantee he will come out next week with a new attitude and be ready to rip it up in lovely Phoenix Arizona! See you all next week!
