Ken Roczen Win at Atlanta Proves AMA Supercross Title Still Up for Grabs

Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA — April 13, 2021

With just 4 events left on the 2021 Monster Energy AMA Supercross schedule, Tuesday night’s mid-week moto from the Atlanta Motor Speedway was crunch time for the title contenders in both the 250 SX and 450 SX classes.

Ken Roczen declared he is not out of the 450 SX title race as he cut the deficit between himself and points leader Cooper Webb. Cameron McAdoo put on the biggest display of grit and perseverance climbing up off the track, after a horrendous crash, to stay within reach of Justin Cooper for the 250 SX West points lead.

250 SX

Cameron McAdoo(31) trailed Justin Cooper(32) by 4 points after Saturday’s opening event of the Atlanta residency. In Heat 1 McAdoo did what he needed to do, winning the moto convincingly. Then he sat back and waited to see where Cooper would place in Heat 2.

Cooper had to work a little harder in his heat as Mitchell Harrison(35) went out to the early lead with Hunter Lawrence(41) in pursuit. Cooper settled into 5th position. One of the riders in contention, Seth Hammaker(150), ran into trouble early. Forced high into a banked corner, Hammaker got caught up in the Tuff Blocks and dropped out of the lead pack.

After working his way up to 2nd, Cooper began to put pressure on Lawrence who had managed to move past Harrison. Coming to the white flag, Lawrence makes a mistake in the rhythm section and almost goes down. Cooper passes and pulls away for the Heat 2 win, setting up for a classic battle between himself and McAdoo in the main.

Hammaker failed to make the Top 9 and was forced to qualify in the LCQ. A slow start put him in 8th, but he quickly moved up to 2nd and cruised through the remainder of the moto to easily qualify as the Top 4 moved on.

250 SX Main Event

In a race that will be talked about for a long time, the points leaders faced off. With Cooper looking to put a serious dent in McAdoo’s title hopes. Cooper went to the lead while McAdoo faltered slightly. Nate Thrasher(91), Saturday’s Main Event winner, Garrett Marchbanks(48), and Lawrence all were in front of McAdoo who started 5th.

On the opening laps of the race, McAdoo misjudged a landing coming to the flat-top box jump. His bike pitched forward prior to the incline and McAdoo went over the handlebars and face-first into the up ramp of the obstacle. His bike rolled over the top of him and its speed carried it up to the flat portion on top. Unfortunately, McAdoo’s foot had gotten lodged in the footpeg and the bike cartwheeled with him looking like a helpless rag doll along for the ride. Flipping a second time over the handlebars he slammed again, chest first, into the dirt.

All McAdoo could manage to do was crawl up next to a Tuff Block and curl up in the fetal position, obviously seriously injured. Track crews ran to his aide and when he could not move enough to get off the track safely, the red flag was displayed.

Helped up by the safety personnel and down the ramp, McAdoo insisted on remounting his bike. The medical crew checked him over and engaged in a conversation with the rider. After determining he was not injured or impaired to the point of being a danger to other riders, they allowed him to ride back to the starting gate.

After stretching cramping muscles in his arms, shoulders, groin, and legs McAdoo climbed back aboard his Kawasaki that was positioned ready for the gate drop. The crowd roared their approval, but could he survive 20 minutes and a lap to complete the 250 SX feature.

Unbelievable Run

McAdoo seemed a little unsteady into the first turn and during the first lap, it looked like he might go down off any jump. Somehow he survived, not only was he riding on the edge, he was making good lap times. Running 4th behind Marchbanks, McAdoo was being blocked from advancing. A strong move shot him to 3rd with only Cooper and Thrasher in front of him.

McAdoo managed to pass Thrasher and take over 2nd place. However, Cooper was moving away building a lead. Fading in the latter part of the race, McAdoo was passed by Lawrence who was making a charge to the front. On the final lap, it looked like McAdoo would give another position back to Thrasher who was gaining rapidly. Remarkably, McAdoo dug deep enough to find the strength to hold off Thrasher and minimize his loss in points. Maintaining the final podium spot left McAdoo 9 points behind Cooper in the standings.

Still, within range, the pair will go at it again Saturday night in the final Atlanta event before the doubleheader in Salt Lake City closes the season. That is if McAdoo can climb out of the bed. Don’t bet on him not making it to the starting gate for another run at the leader.

250 SX West Main Event Results

250 SX West Points Standings

450 SX

The 450 SX class was not void of drama as the season nears its culmination. Heat 1 featured the points leader Cooper Webb(2) against Ken Roczen(94) who trails by 22 points heading into the evening’s motos.

Roczen jumped out ahead of Webb on the start. Recently when Roczen has taken the lead he has not been able to hold it. Uncharacteristically, Webb made a couple of mistakes allowing Roczen to pull away. As a precursor to the action to follow, Webb faded to 4th being passed by Dean Wilson(15) and Malcolm Stewart(27) while Roczen took the win

Wild racing continued in Heat 2, Marvin Musquin(25) grabs a big early lead out of the gate. While Jason Anderson(21) sat stalled in the starting block. Once on track, Anderson began a mad scramble towards the front, seeking at least that 9th and final qualifying position.

Just before breaking into the Top 10, Anderson came up short on a jump in the triples section of the course. Alex Ray(83), closing fast, took off on a triple as Anderson was trying to recover from his mistake and the two collided in mid-air.

With both riders lying on the track separated from their machines, Anderson jumped up and ran up to Ray. Not to give assistance but to gesture with his hand in the face of the still prone rider. A verbal assault by Anderson was laid on Ray as he tried to climb back to his feet. As he turned to walk away, Anderson looked back again and further lectured Ray who he deemed at fault in the incident.

Once again on the chase for a qualifying position, Anderson rode madly through the field. He crossed under the checkered flag on the rear wheel of Justin Starling(81), who finished 9th. Had Anderson not taken the time to vent on Ray during the race, it’s likely he would have easily qualified for the Main Event.

Defending Champion Eli Tomac(1) finished 5th and Holly, Michigan rider Broc Tickle(20) came in 7th.

Anderson, who was the fastest qualifier in the 450 SX class earlier in the afternoon, easily won the LCQ.

450 SX Main Event

The fans were rewarded with side-by-side racing action as Roczen and Webb sped to the front of the pack on the start. But, just like in the heat, Webb was not in his best form. Chase Sexton(23), continuing his strong comeback from an early-season injury, moved past Webb into 2nd. Justin Barcia(51) passed Webb, then Anderson passed, and Tomac began to threaten.

Webb, sensing that things were slowly slipping away, roared back to the rear wheel of Barcia who had been passed by the still mad-racing Anderson. Then, with two laps to go, Webb goes down just past the start/finish line jump and Tomac gets around him.

Webb managed to salvage a 6th place finish. With Roczen’s win, the points differential closed to just 13 points. Instead of locking down an insurmountable lead, Webb must now fend off a rejuvenated Roczen Saturday in the Atlanta finale and for the final two races in Salt Lake City.

Sexton and Anderson joined Roczen on the podium. Tomac picked up two points on Roczen with his late pass but is likely out of contention for a title repeat, still trailing the points leader by 35. Michigan’s Tickle placed a solid 13th in the featured event of the evening.

450 SX Main Event Results

450 SX Points Standings