Two weeks in and we have two different winners to start the Monster Energy Supercross season. #WhosNext has been the tagline for the 2015 season and it wouldn’t surprise anyone right now if it’s Eli Tomac or Ken Roczen. The rising star tandem took center stage in Phoenix with a head-to-head showdown in which Tomac prevailed to take the first win of his career. This week he is hands down the biggest mover in the power rankings, but the German still sits firmly in control.
Each week, The Power Rankings will recognize the movers and shakers in Monster Energy Supercross.
He could have potentially made things more interesting last Saturday, but he wasn’t feeling his best and happily rode safe and smart to finish second. He’s in an enviable position already holding a nine-point lead in the standings, which allows him to do things like settle for second. He’s yet to show any hints of weakness when it counts the most, so it’s up to the rest of the field to step up.
Mr. Consistency is off to a solid start. A fourth in Anaheim wasn’t what he wanted and he had to fight for his first podium result in Phoenix, but Dungey is getting things figured out on the new KTM and is already exactly where he wants to be two weeks in. I think a win will come at some point, but for now it’s hard to be upset with where he’s been the first two weeks considering they’re still dialing things in.
3. Jason Anderson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Ryan Dungey seen during Round 2 in Phoenix.
(Last Week: 2/-1)
Anderson’s sixth-place ride wasn’t flashy, but it proved his runner-up at the opening round wasn’t a fluke. He started deep in the field in the main event and fought his way forward. That’s not easy to do anymore and Anderson is riding like he’s got way more 450SX experience than just two starts.
We knew what we saw from Tomac in Phoenix is exactly what he was capable of in Anaheim, but we were forced to wait a week after his troubles. Now Tomac has his season going in the direction he wants and he’s ready to work on chipping away at the hole he faces in the points. Right now he’s Roczen’s biggest challenger.
Things just didn’t seem to click for Canard in Phoenix but he battle through whatever issues he was facing to still finish inside the top 10 after starting 17th. It was an impressive climb but I think many expected him to be up alongside Roczen and Tomac battling for a spot on the podium. Chuck it up to a night where Canard needed to be resilient to earn a solid result and be ready for him to bounce back in the return to Anaheim.
Phoenix was Peick’s coming out party, much like another JGR rider, Justin Brayton, the year prior. We were all curious what Peick could do on factory equipment and now we know. He was great to watch and he looked to have Dungey covered for most of the main event. Unfortunately the one big mistake he made cost him a podium finish and resulted in a broken foot. He’s had a screw put in to stabilize the break and still hopes to race in Anaheim, but it’s going to be tough sledding for Peick, even if he is arguably the toughest guy in the pits.
Eli Tomac celebrates his first-ever 450cc main-event victory at Chase Field on Jan. 10, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Short was right there in the top 10, exactly where you expect him to be. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but he got the job done. That’s just what Andrew Short does. He’s KTM’s experimental rider this season and whatever the brand is trying seems to be working out really well for Short so far.
He crashed on the opening lap and was forced to give it everything he had to finish 11th. While the results are not what Barcia and JGR wanted at this point, BamBam is still moving forward in the main events and that’s not something to ignore. It’s bound to come together soon.
Reed showed more speed in Phoenix than what his 10th-place finish suggests, but back-to-back 10th-place finishes isn’t bad by any means, especially with such a loaded field. If he can start up front I think Reed can stay there and Anaheim 2 is where he broke out a year ago with a huge win. Let’s see if the magic comes back this weekend.
Weimer isn’t on factory equipment but he’s riding better than we’ve seen in a while. It seems like he’s really happy with the situation he landed in for the 2015 season and it’s showing on the track. He’s been in the hunt for the top 10 each weekend so far, finishing ninth in Phoenix. We’ll see if Weimer can keep moving forward.
Biggest Climb: Eli Tomac, +6
Biggest Drop: Andrew Short, -3
Dropped Out: Broc Tickle, Mike Alessi
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