Strong AMA opener for Monster Energy Kawasaki
By Team TMX on 9th Jan 17
Monster Energy Kawasaki came into the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship season opener in Anaheim, California feeling strong and rejuvenated.
Eli Tomac came out swinging, picking up where he left off from the Monster Energy Cup by winning his heat race in impressive fashion. At the gate drop of the Main Event, the hard charging Kawasaki rider found himself third coming out of turn one. Tomac would race in the lead pack throughout the 20 minute, plus one lap Main Event, taking fifth at the checkers.
"The day started off great”, said Tomac. "Qualifying second calmed my nerves and allowed me to enter the night show with a level head. The main started off well but around the halfway point my arms tightened up and I began slipping back a bit. We'll come back swinging at Round 2.”
His teammate Josh Grant took the long way to the Main Event, with a win in the Last Chance Qualifier. A poor gate selection in the Main Event saw Grant start 11th and quickly put his KX450F inside the top-10. Grant rode consistently strong laps to finish ninth.
"My day didn't quite go as planned after having to qualify out of the Last Chance Qualifier,” said Grant. It is always so hard to concentrate at A1 because I've got the added pressure of all my family and friends here watching. I'm looking forward to moving on to next week and having everything settle down a bit.”
