Eli Tomac Wins 2024 FIM World Supercross Opener in Vancouver
Following a strong performance by Shane McElrath earning him the SX2 division.
Words by FP Team
WSX
Eli Tomac secured a historic victory in Vancouver, marking the first Supercross win in two decades at BC Place during Round 1 of the World Supercross Championship. Although Ken Roczen clinched the SuperPole with an impressive time of 50.742 seconds, Tomac and Joey Savatgy were close behind, indicating a competitive field.
Roczen, the reigning WSX champion, displayed a strong performance early on, dominating the first moto. However, the event's three-race format allowed Tomac to showcase his skills, ultimately winning both the second and third races to take the overall title. “It was a fantastic evening of racing,” Tomac remarked. “Kenny was competitive in the first two races, and we had some great battles. I found my rhythm in the latter races, and everything just fell into place. The energy from the Vancouver crowd was phenomenal, and I’m excited for the next round in Perth. Savatgy's consistent finishes of third, second, and third across the three motos positioned him solidly in third overall. Colt Nichols and Vince Friese rounded out the top five, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
In the SX2 division, the evening mirrored the 450s in intensity. Defending champion and wildcard Max Anstie took the SuperPole and secured victory in the opening moto against Ryder Kingsford. However, a crash in Moto 3 dashed his chances for the overall title, leaving him to finish ninth in that race.
Shane McElrath emerged as the overall winner for the SX2 class by rallying back to win the second and third motos after a challenging start. “It was a good race,” McElrath stated. “I had a slow opening to the night, but I refocused and secured victories in the next two motos. The key was to minimize mistakes, and overall, it was an excellent night of racing. Competing in front of a new audience has been a lot of fun, and I can’t wait for Perth.”
Despite Anstie’s misfortune, his early performance granted him a second-place finish overall, while Canada’s Cole Thompson claimed the final podium spot. Enzo Lopes and Coty Schock finished fourth and fifth, respectively, completing the top five in the SX2 class. Check out Eli Tomac’s Factory Star Racing Yamaha YZ450F in the video below.
wsxchampionship.com
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Nov 05, 2024 More in Journal
