The Monster Energy Cup consistently draws most of the top names in the sport (at least if they’re healthy), and because of this, even though it’s approximately 10 weeks before the start of the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Series, it can serve as an indicator of who’s on their game and who has work to do.
And as of right now, RCH Suzuki’s Ken Roczen is more on top of things than anybody, as evidenced by his standing on top of the box at the end of the night, scoring the win with a 1-4-1 score in the three main events. Roczen didn’t win the million dollars that was up for grabs if a rider could win all three motos, but he did grab the $100,000 that was set aside for the overall winner.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson actually became the first racer ever to grab all three main-event holeshots, which landed him a free 2016 Toyota Tundra. In the first race, he led early, but quickly gave way to Honda’s Trey Canard. Canard led the first couple laps before sliding out in the slippery conditions, handing the lead back to Anderson. Anderson hung on to take the win but had forgotten to take the Joker Lane at least one time in the 10-lap race and was relegated post-race to sixth place, and the win went to Roczen over Dungey, last year’s winner Davi Millsaps, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Blake Baggett, and AutoTrader.com/JGR/Toyota Yamaha’s Justin Barcia. Canard ended up 10th. Last week’s Red Bull Straight Rhythm winner James Stewart went down early in the main, and after only catching back up to 18th, he called it a night with a sore right wrist.
Austin Forkner (214) won the Amateur All-Stars.
Stewart initially injured the wrist during practice and re-aggravated it after he fell when his cased a triple jump. Stewart and his team made the decision to withdraw, not wanting to risk further injury or, worse yet, a crash, since it was the wrist that controls the throttle.
Anderson soon turned his second-race holeshot into a win over Canard, who came through the pack to snag second by taking the Joker Lane early in the main so that when Barcia took it on the last lap, Canard was able to sneak by. Barcia held on for third in front of Roczen, Dungey and Millsaps.
Anderson’s holeshot in the final main event put him in the lead for a while. He came under pressure right away from Canard, but the two made contact before the finish-line jump, sending Canard careening into the manager’s tower. Canard was okay and remounted, eventually finishing 14th. Roczen quickly fought his way forward and found his way by Anderson and took off for what seemed like an easy runaway victory over Dungey, Anderson, Barcia and GEICO Honda’s Christian Craig.
Overall, Roczen took the victory over Dungey, Anderson, Barcia, Millsaps and Canard.
In the Supermini race, Monster Energy/Team Green Kawasaki’s Lance Kobusch went 1-1 to take the overall, coming from behind in both motos to make late passes for the lead and the win.
Lance Kobusch won both Supermini motos.
And in the Amateur All-Stars event, which features the nation’s top 250cc A and B riders, Monster Energy/Team Green Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner (who won the 2013 Supermini event at the Monster Energy Cup) dominated both motos as well.
“This was a great track tonight,” said Forkner. “I wanted to prove to everyone that I could ride a big bike, and I did that tonight. I am stoked to be undefeated in my career here at the Monster Energy Cup.”
2015 Monster Energy Cup
Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 17, 2015: RESULTS
Monster Energy Cup Class Overall Results
1. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (1-4-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Tallahassee, Fla., KTM (2-5-2)
3. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna (6-1-3)
4. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Yamaha (5-3-4)
5. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (3-6-6)
6. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda (10-2-14)
7. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM (11-7-12)
8. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Suzuki (4-9-18)
9. Christian Craig, Plymouth, Minn., Honda (14-14-5)
10. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha (9-16-8)
Amateur All-Star Class Overall Results
1. Austin Forkner, Richards, Mo., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda (2-2)
3. Mitchell Harrison, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha (5-3)
4. Josh Osby, Valparaiso, Ind., KTM (3-5)
5. Tristan Charboneau, Tenino, Wash., Honda (4-6)
6. Bradley Taft, Nixa, Mo., Yamaha (10-4)
7. Sean Cantrell, Newbury Park, Calif., KTM (6-8)
8. Max Markolf, Fort Mill, S.C, KTM (8-9)
9. Dylan Merriam, Corona, Calif., KTM (12-10)
10. Mitchell Falk, Costa Mesa, Calif., KTM (17-7)
Supermini Class Overall Results
1. Lance Kobusch, New Florence, Mo., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Max Miller, Springfield, Ore., KTM (3-2)
3. Joshua Varize, Perris, Calif., KTM (5-3)
4. Jo Shimoda, Winchester, Calif., KTM (4-6)
5. Jesse Flock, Adair, Okla., KTM (6-9)
6. Chase Fasnacht, Port St. Lucie, Fla., Kawasaki (9-8)
7. Austin Black, Tualatin, Ore., KTM (2-15)
8. Conner Mullennix, Lakeside, Calif., KTM (14-4)
9. Marcus Phelps, Cairo, Ga., KTM (7-12)
10. Hannah Hodges, Deland, Fla., Kawasaki (13-7)
