Germany’s Ken Roczen has won the opening race of the United States Supercross Championships in Anaheim, California, at the weekend, setting the tone for an exciting series ahead with the next round only a week away.

The KTM rider took first blood in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, while, in dramatic fashion, fellow KTM rider Jason Anderson captured the opening race of the Western Regional 250SX class.

The action was intense inside a sold-out Angel Stadium, with more than 40,000 fans cheering their heroes.

Three-time champion Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) came out swinging in the 450SX class main event, snatching the holeshot. On Villopoto’s back wheel through the first turn was Roczen, followed by Yamaha’s Josh Grant.

Suzuki’s James Stewart moved into third place on lap 10, passing KTM’s Ryan Dungey. While leading on lap nine, Villopoto crashed and handed the lead to Roczen, also allowing Australian Kawasaki rider Chad Reed and Dungey to move into second and third place, respectively. Villopoto remounted in fifth place.

On lap 12, Stewart passed Reed for second place and chipped away at Roczen’s lead, ultimately closing in on his rear wheel. While attempting to get alongside Roczen in the whoops, Stewart suffered a race-ending crash. On lap 16, Dungey secured second place as he passed Reed.

“This is insane,” said Roczen. “I got off to a good start and was holding on really tight. When there were four laps to go, I realised that I could win.”

Roczen was joined on the podium by Dungey, giving KTM a 1-2 sweep, and Reed. Villopoto recovered to finish fourth.

Anderson grabbed the holeshot and held down the lead in the 250SX class main event until lap four when Honda’s Cole Seely moved into the lead. On the same lap, Scottish Kawasaki rider Dean Wilson moved into the third spot.

Wilson and Honda’s Zach Osborne traded places near the halfway point of the race and the duel did not stop, lasting several subsequent laps. In the second-to-last turn on the last lap, Anderson passed Seely and rode to the second win of his career.

“The pass was [risky] on Cole (Seely),” said Anderson. “I didn’t want to be dirty but I had to put it in there, and I am glad it worked. I look forward to riding into Phoenix with the red number-one plate. This is only my second career win, so it is big for me.”

Anderson and Seely were joined Osborne on the podium, who eventually made his way past Wilson on Lap 12.

Monster Energy Supercross heads to Phoenix’s Chase Field next Saturday, January 11.

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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250SX Class Results

1.      Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM

2.      Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda

3.      Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda

4.      Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki

5.      Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha

6.      Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki

7.      Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki

8.      Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda

9.      Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda

10.    Austin Politelli, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha

250SX Class Season Standings

1.      Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., KTM, 25

2.      Cole Seely, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 22

3.      Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Honda, 20

4.      Dean Wilson, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Kawasaki, 18

5.      Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha, 16

6.      Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki, 15

7.      Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki, 14

8.      Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Honda, 13

9.      Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 12

10.    Austin Politelli, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 11

450SX Class Results

1.      Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM

2.      Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM

3.      Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki

4.      Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki

5.      Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda

6.      Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha

7.      Josh Grant, Corona, Calif., Yamaha

8.      Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki

9.      Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM

10.    Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki

450SX Class Season Standings

1.      Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 25

2.      Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 22

3.      Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Kawasaki, 20

4.      Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 18

5.      Justin Barcia, Pinetta, Fla., Honda, 16

6.      Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 15

7.      Josh Grant, Corona, Calif., Yamaha, 14

8.      Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 13

9.      Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 12

10.    Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 11