Bam Bam & Roczen take Seattle

AMA Supercross

Bam Bam goes wire to wire in Villopoto's home town.

Team Honda’s Justin Barcia (above: photo Simon Cudby) won his second career Supercross with a holeshot to checker victory in Seattle. From the drop of the gate gate Bam Bam led with fast starting Mike Alessi and Vince Friese in tow. Back in the pack it wasn’t all roses as Ryan Dungey and Chad Reed were in a first turn crash. Points leader Ryan Villopoto avoided the drama and  and by the second lap moved into second place behind Barcia with Davi Millsaps in third.

The Seattle crowd tried to mimic the enthusiasm for Villopoto that the Minnesota crowd had done for Dungey a week ago, by cheering wildly as he chased Barcia—but Barcia was not to be denied as he led every lap to take the win.

Justin Barcia said, “I tell you what, that holeshot is so key. We made some great changes today on the bike. It was a tough track with so many lines, but there was one main line that was so much better than any other. I’ve been waiting for this since Phoenix.”

Ryan Villopoto said, “I didn’t get the start I wanted, so to come out the way I did and salvage that was awesome. I rode 20 solid laps but Justin was on it. I just really couldn’t do anything with him. The way it turned out tonight was pretty good for what we were up against at the start.”

As far as overcoming adversity, Ryan Dungey finished fourth behind Davi Millsaps after staring 18th–but Millsaps two extra points moved the Suzuki rider back into second place in the points. With a 25 point lead, Villopoto can throw one race away and still win the title (with only two races to go)

250 WEST

With two races to go, Ken Roczen (94) (left) has a solid lock on the 250 west Photo: KTM

Eli Tomac is a long shot to win the 250 West and for most of the 250 West main event looked like he was doing what he had to do–win. But on lap 9 he cased a jump and fell off. By the time Eli had remounted Ken Roczen had moved into the lead. Tomac remounted in second, losing 3 more points of Roczen. Ken Roczen has finished no worse than second in every 250 West race this year. Zach Osborne secured his first podium finish of the season in third.

Ken Roczen said, “It’s good to bounce back from a bad heat race with good start. I just put my head down and rode smart. The track was really technical out there, with a lot of ruts. It feels good to get a win after such a long break; it’s tough to get in a groove after so much time off, but I’m so happy I was able to walk away with this one.”

Eli Tomac said, “The track was getting tough in the main event. I got a good start and started pulling away, but then I made a big mistake. It’s kind of a bummer, but that’s racing. I was lucky enough to be able to get up in second and still finish on the podium.”

Click here for clips:  250 Main Event    450 Main Event      Interviews

SEATTLE RESULTS: 450 CLASS

1. Justin Barcia...........Hon
2. Ryan Villopoto........Kaw
3. Davi Millsaps.........Suz
4. Ryan Dungey.........KTM
5. Jake Weimer.........Kaw
6. Mike Alessi...........Suz
7. Broc Tickle............Suz
8. Justin Brayton......Yam
9. Andrew Short.......KTM
10. Phillip Nicoletti...Yam
Other notables: 11. Vince Friese; 12. Josh Hill; 16. Weston Peick; 18. Trey Canard; 20. Chad Reed.

SEATTLE RESULTS: 250 WEST
1. Ken Roczen.............KTM
2. Eli Tomac.................Hon
3. Zach Osborne...........Hon
4. Cole Seely................Hon
5. Tyla Rattray..............Kaw
6. Austin Politelli..........Hon
7. Ryan Sipes..............Suz
8. Joey Savatgy...........KTM
9. Martin Davalos........Kaw
10. Jason Anderson....Suz
Other notables: 11. Malcolm Stewart; 12. Christian Craig; 15. Travis Baker; 18. Kyle Cunningham; 20. 19. Bryce Stewart.

CURRENT AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 15 of 17 races)
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw)........321
2. Davi Millsaps (Suz)..........296
3. Ryan Dungey (KTM).........295
4. Justin Barcia (Hon)...........245
5. Chad Reed (Hon).............213
6. Trey Canard (Hon)...........202
7. Andrew Shor (KTM).........189
8. James Stewart (Suz)........174
9. Justin Brayton (Yam).......162
10. Broc Tickle (Suz)...........155
Other notables: 11. Matt Goerke (139); 12. Jake Weimer (131); 13. Mike Alessi (107); 14. Weston Peick (79); 15. Josh Hill (72); 17. Bobby Kiniry (50).

CURRENT AMA 250 WEST SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 7 of 9 races)
1. Ken Roczen (KTM)................163
2. Eli Tomac (Hon).....................143
3. Cole Seely (Hon)...................113
4. Zach Osborne (Hon)..............102
5. Jason Anderson (Suz)............99
6. Martin Davalos (Kaw).............94
7. Kyle Cunningham (Yam).........86
8. Joey Savatgy (KTM)................75
9. Tyla Rattray (Kaw)...................74
10. Austin Politelli (Hon)..............72
Other notables: 11. Christian Craig (71); 12. Jessy Nelson (60); 14. Malcolm Stewart (56); 15. Ryan Sipes (45); 18. Jake Canada (28).

CURRENT AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 8 of 9 races)
1. Wil Hahn (Hon).....................178
2. Marvin Musquin (KTM).........173
3. Blake Wharton (Suz)............153
4. Vince Friese (Hon)...............103
5. Gavin Faith (Hon)................100
6. Dean Wilson (Kaw)..............87
7. Cole Thompson....................83
8. Kyle Peters (Hon).................78
9. Jeremy Martin (Yam)............71
10. Justin Hill (Kaw)..................68
Other notables: 11. Lance Vincent (66); 12. Jimmy Decotis (66);  13. A.J. Cantazaro (62); 15. P.J. Larsen (54); 19. Zach Bell (37); 21. Tyler Bowers (34); 34. Austin Coon (3).