San Francisco Review: Sexton Slops through for first KTM win.
After an off-season filled with new scenery, Chase Sexton quickly quieted any doubters about his ability to contend on the new bike. Only a few months into the Red Bull KTM phase of his career, many were concerned about Sexton’s transition: new team, bike, and frame. Everything was going to be an adjustment for the defending champion come January.
However, when the mud-soaked terrain at Oracle Park proved disastrous for many riders, Sexton weathered the storm the best. After qualifying 2nd in their first (and what would become their only) qualifying session of the day, Sexton was well positioned to have a strong night. Only his Red Bull KTM teammate (and all-terrain woods lover) Aaron Plessinger bested him in the initial session. The mud was proving to be a treacherous foe for the field, with many crashing out of potential championship runs (we’ll get to that later).
Ultimately, it was Sexton who was able to storm out of the gates and land the holeshot during the main event. In conditions like what we saw on Saturday, being quick off the mark can be everything. Mudfests are unpredictable, but there’s no denying that getting ahead of the field is the optimal strategy for racing in muddy conditions. There’s just too much variability to assume that a rider would rise through the pack.
Ultimately, Sexton, Tomac, and Roczen would land on the podium. Considering the conditions, San Francisco could have been considered a win for all three riders. Sexton shows that he’s still in title shape with a new team, Tomac proves that he’s ready to contend again, and Roczen continues to live his best life, kicking ass on an antiquated motorcycle.
Speaking of Tomac, let’s not forget where this man was eight months ago. In a sport heavily reliant on balance and coordination in your lower half, Eli Tomac continues to prove that not even a devastating Achilles injury can derail his iconic career. Despite having a sluggish start at A1, Tomac ripped through the field and finished with the proverbial Silver medal slot.
Yes, we’re two rounds into the series. The season is young enough to produce an unpredictable result still come May. But after two rounds, Tomac finds himself sitting tied in 3rd place. If the alarm bell hasn’t been rung on the detractors yet, it should be blaring now. Eli Tomac is firmly back in the Championship mix. If San Francisco is any indication, the #3 is a man on a mission to restore his career and, eventually, go out as a consistent title contender.
As for the guy Tomac is currently tied with, that spot belongs to our favorite Cowboy, Aaron Plessinger. With consecutive top 5 finishes and the fasted qualifying time in San Francisco, things look to be breaking AP’s way. Whether it’s added continuity with the team or seemingly being 100% healthy for once, Plessinger looks like a man on the rise. I’m not going to make any bold proclamations or steaming hot takes, but perhaps this is FINALLY the year where AP breaks through and earns his first 450SX Main Event win.
Sometimes, all you need in this sport is a break to go your way. A good start here, a main event win there. All it takes is one breakthrough night to change a rider’s trajectory. Again, I’m not claiming Plessinger to be a legitimate title threat right now, BUT if he can get his first main event win in the coming months, we might see the Cowboy pushing the usual suspects for the top crown down the road.
I can speak for everyone in the stands when I say the sport is better when Aaron Plessinger wins races. We’re long overdue for another puddle-soaked celebration from #7. Let’s hope that it’s coming our way in the near future.
As for the 250 class, the weathered vet in Jordon Smith was the best man in the elements. Despite an average qualifying session (where he finished 7th), Smith would tail Jo Shimoda for 2nd place in their Heat Race. This would serve as a catapult for the seasoned pro as he would grab the lead early in the main event, and not look back. The kind of wisdom and experience that Smith possesses has him as the new red plate holder in the 250 West Coast series. In a main event that saw several other contenders crash and/or DNF, Smith was able to trudge through to victory.
As a reward for his efforts, he now holds a 5-point lead over Levi Kitchen and a 9-point lead over former red plate holder RJ Hampshire. In what should surprise no one, three experienced riders find themselves atop the points chase in the early going of this series. Conditions like the one we had in San Francisco are not for the faint of heart; quite frankly, it’s usually the most experienced riders who find a way to navigate the terrain. Smith was able to take advantage of the elements and, for now, stand as the top dog in the class.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Jo Shimoda. After a promising Heat Race win, the Japanese rider would stall early in the main event. This would eventually lead to a DNF, a finish he would share with several other contenders. Fellow Heat Race winner Rider DiFrancesco would also suffer the same fate, finishing the night with 0 points tallied. Maximus Vohland and Nate Thrasher would also suffer terrible finishes, leaving them far out of the points chase for the championship.
Again, the season is too early to write off anyone yet, necessarily. However, nights like the one in San Francisco prove that experience and consistency mean more to winning Championships than raw speed and style. Shimoda, DiFrancesco, Vohland, and Thrasher are still growing into the sport. They don’t have the laps on a SX track that guys like Smith and Hampshire do. It’s expected that there will be setbacks. Unfortunately, the entire group had a night to forget in the Bay Area.
The 250SX West Coast title is far from settled, but if any of those guys want to be within reach, San Francisco has to be an aberration on their resumes.
Other notes from San Francisco
Kudos to Derek Drake for consecutive top-15 finishes to start his 450 career. Health issues derailed the Suzuki rider’s career, but on the bigger bike, he looks to be a man worth watching.
Congrats to Jorde Prado on getting his first Supercross win! Although it may have been a Heat Race, the two-time MXGP Champion celebrated as if he just won his third. The Spaniard has long wanted this opportunity in the US, and now that he’s been able to sit atop the top step, perhaps this is the catalyst for him to come over full-time in the future.
Tough night for guys like Cooper Webb and Jason Anderson. With three 450SX championships between them, much is expected of this duo. Call it a rough night or the start of a pattern; they quickly have to regain their title form. With guys like Sexton, Jett, Tomac, and, dare I even say it, Plessinger stacking top 5 points, it could be an uphill battle for either to add another title to their mantles.
Hunter Lawrence rebounded from a rough A1 to finish 10th in San Francisco. 2024 looks to be a learning year for the Aussie, as his brother can take the shine and allow him to develop on the bigger bike. I’m confident that Hunter Lawrence will eventually become a force in the 450 class. It might just be baby steps he has to take right now to sprint for a title down the road.
That’s all for today. We’re on to San Diego!
