Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing Team’s Dylan Ferrandis made the most of a choppy and tricky track to finish just off the podium in fourth overall with a 3-4 moto score at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania. He just bested teammate Colt Nichols who settled for a 5-5 to take fifth overall after claiming the team’s seventh holeshot in eighth motos. Justin Cooper collected the team’s sixth holeshot in Moto 1 on the way to a 6-9 for ninth overall. In his return after recovering from injury suffered at the final round of the supercross season, Mitchell Oldenburg showed speed in Moto 1 and claimed 15th overall with a 10-19 moto score. Rookie Ty Masterpool scored points with 19th overall (19-18).

Some say the High Point track has a feel that the European riders like and it seemed to be working for Ferrandis. The Frenchman started near the front in Moto 1 and made his way into second on lap eight before ending the moto on the podium in third. Moto 2 was more of a fight for Ferrandis who started in 10th. As the final moto of the day, the track was rougher than ever but the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX Western Division champ pushed until the very last lap, getting by his teammate for fourth and securing fourth overall with a 3-4.

Teammate Nichols knew the importance of finding the right flow on the challenging off-camber circuit. The Oklahomian started right behind Cooper in Moto 1, coming around the first lap in second. He maintained pace but there was a lot of shuffling of riders and Nichols fell back to fifth where he ended the moto. In Moto 2, he put the power of his Yamaha YZ250F to the ground and claimed his second holeshot of the season. He pushed at the front, eventually moving back to fifth on the final lap when Ferrandis got by, placing him fifth overall with a 5-5.

From the start of the day, Cooper wasn’t jiving with the High Point track but his holeshot in Moto 1 was proof that he wasn’t ready to give up. He maintained the lead for the first six laps, before being locked in battle with his French teammate. The pair’s lines came together resulting in Cooper going off the track. He quickly rejoined but with all the riders so close together was pushed down to sixth where he would finish the race. In Moto 2, the New Yorker didn’t get the jump he was looking for and had to come through the pack after a 13th-place start. He quickly got inside the top 10 but was unable to make progress on the riders ahead and settled for ninth with a 6-9 moto score.

Oldenburg was excited to be able to get back behind the gate after an extensive burn to his leg kept him on the sidelines since the final supercross round in May. Even with minimal time on the bike, Oldenburg came out swinging in Moto 1 and finished 10th. When Moto 2 got underway, Oldenburg found himself in sixth, but eventually fell outside the top 10. A mistake pushed him down to 19th where he was able to maintain until the checkered flag to finish 15th overall.

The rookie Masterpool continued to learn the ropes at High Point Raceway, finding the technical track a challenge. The 16-year-old still put in his usual big-heart effort and in Moto 1 with the powerful YZ250F underneath, Masterpool was able to get a decent start in 12th. He made a mistake on lap two with a crash. He was able to rejoin the race in 21st and fought his way back to finish 19th. In Moto 2, he had a challenge on his hands with a start outside the top 15. Masterpool made the most of the moto and came across the finish line in 18th.

The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team get a weekend off before regrouping for Round 4 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 15.

Wil Hahn

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing Team Manager

“We had good starts, but didn’t capitalize on that today. The track was really tough, but we need to be better. We will go home and do our homework for next week and look to return to the podium.”

Dylan Ferrandis

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“I didn’t feel comfortable on the bike for the first moto. I was struggling a little bit, but still managed to finish third. In the second moto, we changed my bike setup and it was way better, but my start was not the best and I got stuck in fifth position for a long time. I had to give everything I had to finish fourth, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to finish on the box this weekend. Now onto the next round in Jacksonville.”

Colt Nichols

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“The bike was awesome today, but the track was very challenging. It was really bumpy, a lot of ruts and that made it difficult to stay consistent. Overall, though, it was a good day. I pulled two really good starts. I was happy to lead some laps in the second moto, just happened to be a fifth-place guy today. We made a lot of really good improvements and we are making progress, so I can’t complain.”

Justin Cooper

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“Overall, we just struggled today. The track was different and technical. I just couldn’t seem to find my flow all day. It was one of those weekends that you have to learn from and move forward. I can’t wait for next weekend. We will move forward from here and get back to where we belong.”

Mitchell Oldenburg

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“Today was a tough welcome back to the outdoors. The first moto was pretty decent. I was pretty happy with 10th overall for not racing in two years, but in the second moto, I was kind of in the mid-pack group. I made a little mistake with about four or five laps to go and tipped over. I’ve got a lot to work on, a lot to improve on this week, but I’m just excited to get back to racing. I’m looking to come out swinging next weekend in Florida.”

Ty Masterpool

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing

“We went through a lot of adversity today. I went down in the first moto, which was a bummer, but I’m gaining experience. I’m looking forward to building on it next weekend in Florida.”

2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 250 Class High Point Raceway Results

1. Adam Cianciarulo (2-1)

2. Hunter Lawrence (1-3)

3. Chase Sexton (4-2)

4. Dylan Ferrandis (3-4)

5. Colt Nichols (5-5)

6. RJ Hampshire (9-6)

7. Cameron McAdoo (8-7)

8. Michael Mosiman (7-8)

9. Justin Cooper (6-9)

10. Wilson Todd (12-10)

15. Mitchell Oldenburg (10-19)

2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 250 Class Standings

1. Adam Cianciarulo 186

2. Justin Cooper 160

3. Dylan Ferrandis 144

4. Chase Sexton 134

5. Colt Nichols 126

6. Michael Mosiman 112

7. Hunter Lawrence 111

8. RJ Hampshire 104

9. Alex Martin 87

10. Garrett Marchbanks 63

Author

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