Photos by: Chase Yocom

Round eleven of the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship series, and round five of the Eastern Regional 250SX Championship headed to the Hoosier State for the Indianapolis SX.

Click to check out what's new at Race Tech
Click to check out what’s new at Race Tech

In the 450SX class, Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac continued his winning ways—winning his third straight main event and his sixth of the 2017 season. Joining Tomac on the podium was Red Bull / KTM’s Marvin Musquin in second and Red Bull / KTM’s Ryan Dungey in third.

In the 250SX class, Rockstar Energy / Husqvarna’s Zach Osborne secured the third win of his 2017 Eastern Regional 250SX Championship run with Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy finishing a very close second. The two are now separated by nine points heading into round six. Troy Lee Designs / KTM’s Jordon Smith joined Zach and Joey on the 250SX podium.

Zach Osborne was as aggressive as he was fast in Indy.
Zach Osborne was as aggressive as he was fast in Indy.

After the podium celebrations were over and the points were tallied, some of the top riders talked about their rides inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Check out the riders post race comments below. Click here for all 2017 Monster Energy Supercross results.

Zach Osborne: (1st in 250SX) “It was actually a pretty strange day. I had a run in with AC [Adam Cianciarulo] in the second practice and that caused some drama. It was just a strange deal. I tried to come out in the night show and put it all behind me. It was definitely tough and a big ask to leave all that in the day and start over. I was happy to win the heat race, and to get another win in the main event was awesome.” Chase’s full interview with Zach here>>>

 

Eli Tomac: (1st in 450SX) “I’m feeling good. We’re getting race wins, but we’re still 12 points out. Yeah, if I go out and win every race right now it still takes four races to get there and we only have six left, so that’s a big ask. Just doing what we can right now. Just, I don’t know, taking it week by week.”

Marvin came from behind to catch and pass his teammate Ryan Dungey for 2nd.
Marvin came from behind to catch and pass his teammate Ryan Dungey for 2nd.

Marvin Musquin: (2nd in 450SX) “It was a great day – from having the fastest lap time to my first time winning the heat race this season. I got a decent start, that’s what you need to run with the top guys but I didn’t have good lines at the beginning. I chased down Ryan and passed him and was really happy but Eli was gone, it was too late. I’m happy to feel strong and get back into shape after battling with the flu for the last couple of weeks.”

 

Joey Savatgy: (2nd in 250SX) “We’ve made some gains over the last couple weeks,” said Savatgy. “This isn’t the result that we are working for but it’s a step in the right direction and something better to build off. We are focused on the championship so we take it race by race, we will be back fighting for the win next weekend. Yeah, there was contact in practice and in the main event. I think if that’s what it’s coming down to, then for sure, I’m game. It is what it is. You got to make the pass happen one way or another. If that’s how you’ve got to get it done, then that’s what we’ll do moving forward.”

 

Ryan Dungey: (3rd in 450SX) “For myself, not to put a heavy expectation on myself but I’ve always wanted to be a top running guy. I’ve always wanted to get the job done. I felt like when companies and manufacturers hired me, we had the same goal in mind. I’ve had some great success and still prove a lot to myself, and still I’m learning a lot with races and championships. It’s been a lot of good results within the sport. Something to be happy with. Even if it was to be done today, I could be pumped. But moving forward, I don’t care what people think—I say that respectfully. I’m not out there to please people,I’m out there to get the job done. I’ve won the championship two years in a row now and it’s like of course we don’t want nothing less. I don’t want nothing less. The team doesn’t want nothing less. You get challenged, and each year is different. You go through tougher moments here and good times there. It’s a balance. Through thick and thin we need to keep on it. The pressure isn’t on me, necessarily. I’ve won championships. These guys haven’t. They’re going for their first one. If anything, I’m in a good position. With the position I’m in with the points and everything, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve been in his position, behind [Ryan] Villopoto for four years, and I don’t like. It bothered me and it upset me a lot. To the point where I hated the sport. I didn’t like it at all. I wanted to be done. Bringing that back, I work too hard not to get the top result. We all do—myself, the team, the people around me, everybody. It’s a complicated question you’re asking, but it’s very simple as what we want to accomplish.”

Joey Savatgy was fast enough, but not aggressive enough to keep the #16 behind him.
Joey Savatgy was fast enough, but not aggressive enough to keep the #16 behind him.

Jordon Smith: (3rd in 250SX) “The track was really tough out there, which makes me even more happy to be on the podium. I did feel like I had the speed to do more than a third but after getting tangled with Alex (Martin), the leaders got away from me. It would be great to take this progress to the next race.”

 

Josh Grant: “There were some ups and downs tonight. Before the first lap was over I was near the back but I’m pretty happy with how I was able to turn it around. I feel like I belong towards the front of the pack and I didn’t quite get that tonight, but there’s always something to be learned and a way to move forward. I’m looking forward to being back up there next week.”

 

Alex Martin: (4th in 250SX) “We were running so well and I made a mistake that cost me the podium. It happened so quickly that I’m glad I got up safely and quickly to still finish fourth. I think we’re showing some good speed so hopefully we can get back on the podium next weekend.”

 

Dean Wilson: (11th in 450SX) “I made it out safe tonight. I feel like I should have done better but I got a little tired. I just tried to manage a pace I could do throughout the main event, but then I regrouped and started catching back up towards the end. I need to get a better start and be more aggressive up front. I have a lot more in me. I’m going to regroup and focus on next weekend.”

Ryan Dungey may not be winning at the moment, but he still has a solid 12 point lead in the championship.
Ryan Dungey may not be winning at the moment, but he still has a solid 12 point lead in the championship.

Adam Cianciarulo: (5th in 250SX) “The race went pretty well all things considered. I didn’t think I was going to be able to get back out on the track after the incident that left my knee hurt, but I rode practice and felt like there were points to be made tonight. I felt like I rode well, I would have liked to be up at the front in the opening laps but with everything that happened I am proud of how tonight went. I’ll be back to 100 percent next week and able to challenge for the win.”

 

Jason Anderson: (5th in 450SX) “My weekend was ok. I had a good jump in the main but just got shut down. I came from the back all the way up to ninth.”

 

Christian Craig: (6th in 250SX) “The week before Indy was no doubt the best week I’ve had during the season. I got caught up in my own head for the first few rounds and kinda just lost touch with where I should be mentally. I had my mechanic stay in Florida with me and we did a week from last year. I had fun riding again. When you’re in season and have all this pressure, it’s easy to lose the fun part. I also am having a detox from social media and any dirt bike websites! I need to focus on myself right now so that’s what I’m doing. My plan for Indy was to have fun and race for me again and I did just that. Did I want sixth place? No, but I was happy with where my head was during the day. I was thoroughly enjoying myself and my bike. I was happy to get through the day and start building myself back up to where I should be. Like I always say, you can see where I am in practice and even in the heat races. I belong up front and I need to bring that to the main.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author

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