Photo by: Hoppenworld

The 2016 Monster Energy Supercross season is in the history books, and that means it’s time to head outside for the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The Minnesota boys, Red Bull / KTM’s Ryan Dungey and Star Racing / Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin rode into the 2016 Hangtown National season opener with their #1’s over a red background from the 2015 450MX and 250MX Championships, but neither scored a moto win.

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In the 250MX class, it was all Joey Savatgy. The Monster Energy / Pro Circuit / Kawasaki rider lost the 2016 Western Regional 250SX Champoionship by one point, and it looked like he used that heartache as motivation. The #37 was the fastest qualifier and carried that confidence to a dominant 1-1 performance. Savatgy was joined on the podium by Star Racing / Yamaha rider Alex Martin and Cooper Webb in second and third.

In the 450MX class, RCH / Soaring Eagle / Suzuki’s Ken Roczen landed the first one-two punch of the season. The German tenaciously passed his way to the lead on the opening lap of both motos and led every recorded lap on his way to a 1-1 sweep of the motos. Kenny was dominant, but as always, if Dungey isn’t first, he’s not far behind. The #1 went 2-2 on the day to take the second spot on the box in front of Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac—4-4 on the day—who finished third overall.

After the racing came to a close at Prairie City ORV Park, we gathered a plethora of quotes from around the Hangtown National pits.

Joey Savatgy: (1st in 250MX) “Yeah, it was a good day. It went about as good as it can go. I was the fastest qualifier, holeshotted the first moto and led that wire-to-wire. I came out in the second moto, we were second off the start and I followed [Jessy] Nelson for quite a while. I got close enough, made a move and tried to bring it home. Yeah, 1-1 on the day, fastest qualifier and I got the red plate. All in all, I think it was a pretty picture-perfect day.” [Read our full interview with Savatgy]

Justin Brayton: (20th in 450MX) “I struggled all day. My starts weren’t there in both motos, so we got some work to do before Glen Helen.”

Joey got his first-ever win out of the way, but now can he back it up? Photo by: Hoppenworld
Joey got his first-ever win out of the way, but now can he back it up? Photo by: Hoppenworld

Ken Roczen: (1st in 450MX) “Like I said on the podium, we’re in a way better position than we were last year. Things were definitely not working out for us, especially coming in with an injury, but that’s all behind us. I can finally go out… I’m pretty happy with the bike and the way me and the team are working together. I can focus on my riding now. I think that makes a big difference. I’ve always done good at Hangtown for some reason, even though today was very different I would say. It was a lot harder [the soil] than it usually is. I think they did that because of possible rain coming in. It actually got pretty sketchy there in the second moto. Obviously it gets rough, but it was very notchy, very hard in certain spots that made it quite a bit different. It’s good to get that first one out of the way. It’s always kind of tough coming in here. We only have the one weekend off, but it is a new season and everybody’s points are put back to zero, and everyone has a new chance at another title. What I want to do for the whole season is I want to bring it to every single weekend. Last year, I played catch up all the time. We were in a bad place, where right now I feel like I can go from weekend to weekend. It’s progressing my riding and how I feel. It’s going to be a hard battle—it’s just the first race—and I’m super happy that I put myself in a good position. Like I said, long year and it’s going to be a lot of good racing.” [Read our full interview with Roczen]

 

James Stewart: (DNF in 450SX) “I had a decent practice, but got a horrible start in the first moto. I was just riding around trying to get comfortable. I came across the mechanic’s area and the next thing I know I was grabbing and hanging-on to my bike trying to hug-it. I went off this steep embankment and landed on my shoulder. I’m bummed. I keep putting-in all this work and things keep happening. I can’t quit. As hard as it is now I refuse to quit. I know I’m not done. I’m going to go back to work after I have my shoulder checked-out. I’ll see how I feel. Hopefully I can get back into action next week. I’ll be back, it’s just another setback.”

 

Jason Anderson: (4th in 450MX) “Practice was good today. I got a bad start my first moto but then I had a great first half of the moto. I feel like I kind of got stuck at some point and couldn’t really keep it going. The second moto was really good, though. I got into third and stayed there for most of the moto and ended up third for fourth overall. It’s not horrible, but I definitely want to be better. I feel like my fitness is the best it has ever been and I’m riding better – I’m just trying to keep it going.”

 

RJ Hampshire: (15th in 250MX) “Weekend didn’t end too good but I’m taking positives from it. Solid first moto, ran fifth pretty much the whole time. Second moto I made some quick passes and ended up going down, my arm got stuck in the bike. That pretty much ended my moto. But I showed good speed and have a lot of positives to take out of the weekend, so hopefully we can improve the results.”

 

Blake Baggett: (11th in 450MX) “Moto one went about as good as it could get, charging up from the back and working my way all the way back to a podium spot. I really felt good and thought everything was working. I went out in the second moto and got a decent start and was working my way through the pack. I think I needed one more spot to get a podium for the overall. And then I caught a rock and did a little high side. It was slo-mo, but I ended up going down pretty hard and breaking my collarbone. We’ll see where we’re at and be back to fight for sure. I know where I am right now. Hangtown is one of the gnarliest tracks there is and if you can go good there you can do it anywhere. So I’ll regroup and hopefully be back soon.”

 

Alex Martin: (2nd in 250MX) “I had a really rough Supercross season. We had bumps and bruises, and we were on the ground a lot. We made some big changes and I think it’s paying off now. I feel comfortable on the bike. My speed and intensity was there. My fitness is great. I felt really strong at the end of that moto—I think it showed. My starts could be a little bit better. I was up there on that [first second moto start] start, but then they red flagged it. It is what it is, but I was happy to come back and be up there. Second overall is awesome! I couldn’t ask to start in a better position.”

 

Eli Tomac: (3rd in 250MX) “Overall, today went well. I was feeling really good after timed practice and heading into Moto 1 with first gate pick. My starts weren’t on point today as I started both motos mid-pack and had to work my way up through the field, but we learned a lot today and fourth place is a start that I can work with.”

Eli was not able to replicate his 2015 performance on the Kawasaki, but was still on the podium. Photo by: Hoppenworld
Eli was not able to replicate his 2015 performance on the Kawasaki, but was still on the podium. Photo by: Hoppenworld

Benny Bloss: (18th in 450MX) “I felt good out there. While I made a rookie mistake in the first moto, I came back strong in the second. I’m excited for Glen Helen next weekend!”

Aaron Plessinger: (4th in 250MX) “I’m feeling great! I could probably do thirty-minutes more. (laughs) No, it was good. Practice didn’t go so well. I got off to a bad start in the first moto and worked my way up to ninth. Then, in the second moto I got off to a really good start. I think I was like fifth or sixth. I latched onto Alex [Martin] and he pulled me up to third and he got second. It was a good race.”

 

Zach Osborne: (11th in 250MX) “The first moto was a huge disappointment. I pulled in for goggles and just generally didn’t do very well. It was a tough first moto for me. In the second moto I got off to about a 12th place start and came up to fourth and was only three seconds from the win. I got the fastest lap of the race so that’s definitely something I can take some momentum from and build on and come back stronger next weekend.”

 

Marvin Musquin: (8th in 450MX) “The first moto didn’t go as I wanted but we worked between the motos with the team and came out with good changes. I’m happy to finally race my first AMA 450 outdoor race and can’t wait to go to the next one! I know the season will be long and I want to keep improving.”

 

Austin Forkner: (8th in 250MX) “First moto I rode really tight in the first half of the race but near the end was able to calm my nerves and make a few passes to finish 13th. On the restart of Moto 2, my Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki launched me out of the gate and I came around turn one inside the top-five. I rode really strong for the first 20-25 minutes by pacing the leaders. After deciding to back it down, I crashed and ended the moto in eighth, but that’s definitely something I can build on. We learned a lot today and I had a blast.”

 

Ryan Dungey: (2nd in 450MX) “Yeah, I think it was overall really good. Two seconds is good, but at the same time when you look at the whole race—each of them. Kenny [Roczen] got away in the first one and we were able to maintain that gap. Even close it down which was good. Then, in the second moto he is really good when it’s choppy, slick and rough—kind of hard packed. So he was able to get right up the inside of me and I didn’t want to let that happen, but he made the pass. From there, he gapped me a little bit and I was like, “Alright, we gotta find our lines and figure this out.” I was able to kind of able to tow in there with that and again it [the gap] stayed the same and I was able to close it a little bit. It’s encouraging. We want to win for sure.”

Hangtown remains the only track Ryan Dungey has not recorded a win on. Photo by: Hoppenworld
Hangtown remains the only track Ryan Dungey has not recorded a win on. Photo by: Hoppenworld

Arnaud Tonus: (18th in 250MX) “Coming into Hangtown, I hadn’t been able to ride or train as much as I’ve wanted to due to my shoulder I injured in supercross. It’s getting stronger every time I ride and our goal was to leave Hangtown with solid finishes and I believe that’s what we did, so I’m happy with how today went.”

 

Christophe Pourcel: (14th in 450MX) “I’m just coming back from injury with my ribs and neck. My speed was a little out of the top 15, but I’m still pretty sore and trying to get back into it. I was riding pretty tight in the first moto and trying to compensate with my shoulders because I don’t want to hurt my neck. I just need to get a little more comfortable. I had two bad starts so that didn’t help. The track was tough to pass on, but I kept pushing. I’m going to try and get top-five overall this year and won’t give up.”

 

Justin Bogle: (12th in 450MX) “Started off the day not so good, had a pretty hard crash in practice. Man! Came back and got ready, got a great start in the first moto and ran up front for a couple of laps. I started having some issues. I bumped my head in practice and I was having some trouble with that, things were getting a little blurry and stuff. Salvaged a twelfth, second moto was kind of the same situation, got a good start and salvaged an eleventh. But still a decent day because I was able to get out of Hangtown somewhat healthy—at least I’m able to race next weekend. This actually hasn’t happened for me out of Hangtown ever—I’ve never scored points here in both motos. So all in all, I’ll take it.”

 

Andrew Short: (13th in 450MX) “I was having fun out there. My endurance was there today, but still need to pick up some speed. We will get there and I am looking forward to Glen Helen next week.”

 

Christian Craig: (12th in 250MX) “Started off the day ninth in qualifying. I want to be up there so that wasn’t my best, for sure. I went into the motos confident, but I fell in the third corner of the first moto. Started dead last and worked my way up to fifteenth. Second moto I started mid pack and just tried to go forward. I got to seventh and went down. Had to just ride it out and I got eighth. Not my best—I’m looking for a lot more. Next weekend I need to get a better result and I’m confident I can get it.”

 

Josh Grant: (9th in 450MX) “Today was good. Felt good to get out here and ride two strong and consistent races. I feel like I’ve got more to offer but for it being the first round, I’m okay with leaving here in eighth. Looking forward to Glen Helen next weekend.”

Adam Cianciarulo struggled with bad starts and crashes in his return from injury, but showed that the speed is still alive and well.  Photo by: Hoppenworld
Adam Cianciarulo struggled with bad starts and crashes in his return from injury, but showed that the speed is still alive and well. Photo by: Hoppenworld

Adam Cianciarulo: (13th in 250MX) “In the first moto I crashed on the opening lap which set me back. From there it was all about salvaging a decent position. The second moto was better and I felt I rode well. Overall, I’m happy to have gotten through Round 1 safely and I’m looking forward to improve throughout the year. This is just a starting point.”

 

Freddie Noren: (17th in 450MX) “I was thirteenth in the first moto and I think I was running tenth in the second moto, but then my bike came off my bike. Something happened with the bolt where it pulled all the spine—or whatever it’s called—out. So, I lost the muffler and had to DNF that one. It was kind of a bummer, but I’m healthy and we’re making progress with the bike. This is only my fourth day on the [Rocky Mountain / ATV / Honda] bike. We’re still working out the kinks, but it was a pretty productive day I would say. I’m happy with that.”

 

Martin Davalos: (32nd in 250MX) “Hangtown was a rough weekend for me. I didn’t get to ride to my full potential. It was for me to get adjusted to the track and I just couldn’t figure it out. I had really good starts but just had some issues during the motos. I’m just looking to rebound for Glen Helen and just work throughout the season and stay healthy. That’s the main goal for me this summer.”

 

Jordon Smith: (7th in 250MX) “My day went pretty good overall. I can only take positive away from it. Made some changes to my bike after practice—those guys killed it and the bike was great. Got a good start in the first moto, got up there and ran second the whole race. I felt good. Had another good one going in the second moto and…I ended up getting taken out. I just sort of struggled from there and finished sixteenth. I was running up front in both motos, had good starts and showed I had the speed, so I can just build on that.”

 

Triston Charboneau: (9th in 250MX) “Had a great first moto, went out and got a great start and followed the leaders around for awhile. I got sixth, and I tried to throw a few passes in there, but a rookie guy doesn’t really know how to make those passes yet! Second moto I had a terrible start and crashed, but they red flagged it and had a restart because someone was down. But I got another bad start, had to work my way up to 14th. Made a lot of progress today and I think I’ll be alright going forward.”

 

Broc Tickle: ( in 450MX) “I had a tough day. I started off the first practice in 14th. The second practice, I ended up fifth so that was a positive going into the motos. Everybody was really close in speed this weekend. I struggled in the first moto and crashed on the second or third lap. I came back to 14th so I felt like I rode well once I got back up and got going. In the second moto, I was 15th or 16th and crashed again and ended up 18th. It was rough but there were some positives. We’ll work on some stuff this week, go to Glen Helen and see what we can do next weekend.”

 

 

 

Author

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