The 2017 United States Motocross Championships reached its halfway point with the RedBud National at Buchanan, Michigan, at the weekend and the event signalled another change at the top of the premier 450cc class.

Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac put in a dominant performance at this sixth round of the championship, sweeping both motos for his third 450 Class victory of the season and regaining possession of the championship lead.

In the 250 class, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne claimed his third win of the season, and his first since the second round.

As the gate dropped for the opening 450 class moto, it was Honda’s Christian Craig who emerged with his third Motosport.com Holeshot of the season with Suzuki rider Justin Bogle and KTM’s Marvin Musquin in tow. Musquin and KTM’s Blake Baggett, who entered the weekend as the points leader, were bar-to-bar as they made the pass stick on Bogle for the second and third positions, respectively. Baggett got a good drive and dove to the inside of Musquin, however, a small bobble would allow the Frenchman to slip back by for control of third. Craig, Musquin, and Baggett controlled the top three spots at the completion of the opening lap.

While Craig continued to lead the star-studded field with his effortless riding style, Musquin and Baggett remained in a heated battle for the final podium positions. Tomac was on a mission and began to slice his way through traffic and close in on Baggett for third. The race for the lead began to intensify on lap three as Musquin began to apply heavy pressure on Craig and eventually made the pass stick to take over the top spot.

Tomac was relentless as he muscled his way past Baggett for third, and then continued his way to the front with a pass on Craig for second. Tomac’s move seemed to motivate Baggett as he followed him through by making the pass on Craig for third on the fourth lap.

Despite Musquin riding well out front, Tomac slowly started to diminish the gap and had his sights set on the KTM rider. As Tomac closed to within just a few bike lengths, Musquin started to protect his lines as an attempt to fend him off, however, Tomac proved to be too strong and overtook the race leader on lap five.

Baggett started to find his speed and reel in Musquin on lap 10 and eventually positioned himself into third with an aggressive pass on lap 12 for second.

As the race began winding down to its final laps, Tomac’s lead began to shrink as Baggett closed to within a couple seconds. With just one lap remaining, Tomac held a one second advantage over Baggett, but he would set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap to hold on for his fifth moto win of the season. Baggett used a brilliant ride to finish second, just 1.4 seconds behind Tomac, while Musquin held onto third.

Baggett launched out of the gate and powered his KTM down the sweeping left hand start straight to capture his first holeshot of the year to start moto two, followed by Suzuki rider Justin Barcia and Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson.

As the leaders approached the second turn, Barcia grabbed a handful of throttle and dove to the inside of Baggett to take the lead. Anderson went to the inside of Baggett coming down one of the tracks hills and the riders lines connected, causing contact that sent Baggett to the ground. When the field blitzed by the finish at the end of the opening lap it was Barcia, Anderson, and Tomac, while Baggett was shown in 35th place.

At the front of the field, Barcia and Anderson engaged in an intense battle, crossing lines and swapping positions in the bid for the lead. Barcia was able to keep his composure and hold onto the number one position. On lap four, the battle out front continued to get closer as Barcia, Anderson, and Tomac were separated by less than two seconds. Just one lap later, Tomac pulled alongside Anderson and successfully made the pass for second.

Barcia, a former winner at RedBud in 2015, rode impressive as Tomac began to nip at the Suzuki rider’s heels. With Tomac stalking his every move, Barcia pulled out every defensive manoeuvre he had in an attempt to keep the first moto winner behind him. On lap seven, Barcia lost traction and went down, allowing Tomac to take over the lead and moving Anderson and Suzuki’s Weston Peick into podium contention. Musquin began moving his way closer to the front and eventually made the move on Peick for third on Lap 10.

When the chequered flag waved, Tomac used a dominant performance to win by 15.7 seconds for his sixth moto win of the season, and his third in a row. Anderson charged hard the entire race to finish second, followed by Musquin in third. Baggett put in a strong come-from-behind performance to finish 10th.

The 1-1 effort by Tomac propelled him to his eighth career 450 class win. Anderson’s (4-2) was good enough for second overall on the day, while Musquin (3-3) completed the overall podium in third. Baggett finished just off the podium in fourth (2-10).

“This is so awesome, the day could not have gone any better,” said Tomac. “I didn’t want to rush anything in the second moto as the pace was already pretty fast and gnarly. There was a lot of roost and tear offs being pulled, so I just wanted to do my best to be smart. I took my time and slowly chipped away at the lead and eventually opened up a gap. It feels good to have a clean race and grab another win.”

Tomac’s win returned him to the championship points lead for the first time since the season opener at Hangtown, and already signifies the third change atop the 450 Class standings this season. Tomac now holds a 13-point advantage over Baggett, while Anderson continues to control third, 25-points out of the lead.

“Things have been going good, we’re close, and I’m happy overall,” said Anderson. “We still need to find a little bit more speed though. The carnage on the start in the first moto caught me and I was forced to come through the pack and deal with some of the slower riders. I was able to come through the pack pretty well and make the most of the situation that we were dealt.”

The 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will return to action next Saturday, July 8, for the seventh round of the season at The Wick 338 in Southwick, Massachusetts.

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RedBud MX – Buchanan, Michigan

450 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish)

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna (4-2)
3. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (3-3)
4. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM (2-10)
5. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., Suzuki (7-6)
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (10-5)
7. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., (6-9)
8. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Suzuki (9-7)
9. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Husqvarna (8-8)
10. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki (14-4)

450 Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 241
2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM – 228
3. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna – 216
4. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM – 201
5. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Suzuki – 163
6. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Husqvarna – 163
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki – 146
8. Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki – 137
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki – 133
10. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda – 132

250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish)

1. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna (2-1)
2. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., KTM (3-3)
3. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (1-8)
4. Mitchell Harrison, Brighton, Mich., Yamaha (7-2)
5. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Yamaha (5-4)
6. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha (6-11)
7. Austin Forkner, Richards, Mo., Kawasaki (4-14)
8. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM (9-9)
9. Chase Sexton, La Moille, IL., Honda (12-7)
10. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki (11-10)

250 Class Championship Standings

1. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna – 254
2. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., KTM – 216
3. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda – 209
4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha – 190
5. Austin Forkner, Richards, Mo., Kawasaki – 184
6. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 168
7. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki – 165
8. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Yamaha – 152
9. Mitchell Harrison, Brighton, Mich., Yamaha – 147
10. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha – 144