Solid Start for Team RMATVMC-KTM-WPS at Anaheim 1 | Race Report

Payson, UT (Jan. 8) – The excitement could be felt and heard as the first round of the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross season opener took over Angel Stadium of Anaheim, CA this past Saturday night. The anticipation of the first gate drop and who will take the win filled the air with energy as team riders Blake Baggett, Benny Bloss and Dakota Alix were ready to take to the track for the first time this season.

Rider Reports

Photo Credit: Kardy Photos

In the heat race, Blake Baggett launched out of the gate with his Dunlop tires digging into the Anaheim dirt to lead the 450SX field into the first turn for the first time in 2018, taking command of the race early on. He was challenged for the lead early on and became entrenched in a battle with competitors Jason Anderson and Cole Seely – and eventually Eli Tomac. The battle had all four going back and forth, eventually shuffling Blake back to third place. He held on strong, hitting his marks to finish third and a transfer spot to the main event.

A mid-pack start hindered Blake in the main event and had him outside of the top ten after the first lap. Determined to move forward, he started passing riders all the way inside the top ten to 8th place by the halfway point. He lost a few spots and rounded out the race finishing in 12thplace.

“Tonight was a bit of a struggle,” said Baggett. “I didn’t get the start I needed and just went backwards from there. The first one is out of the way and we know what we need to do for next weekend. We’ll regroup and come back strong at Houston.”

After just missing a transfer spot in his heat race, Benny Bloss quickly lead the field to the first turn in the LCQ. He would pull out a few bike lengths and looked to be on his way to an easy win. At the start of the third lap, Benny mistimed a tricky rhythm section, going down hard and ending his night. While his night was cut short, the team is hopeful for his return at round 3 at Anaheim 2.

Dakota Alix, the team’s 250SX West rider also had an eventful night of racing. After falling down on the first lap of his heat race, Dakota remounted and battle his way through the field with an impressive ride from outside the top ten to 8th place at the finish, transferring straight to the main event. After making a few adjustments to his WP Suspension in between races, he avoided the heavy carnage on the first lap of the main event and kept a solid pace through the long race to finish the night in 12th place.

As the dust settles on round 1, Team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC-KTM-WPS now travels to Houston, TX and the NRG Stadium for round two of the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross Series.

Anaheim 1 Team Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

Thank you to our 2018 sponsors:

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC.com | KTM | WPS, Fly Racing, Palmetto Motorsports, FMF Racing, Bubba Burger,, Engine Ice, Alpinestars, ODI, Scott, Galfer, Motorex, Acerbis, Seat Concepts, Decor Graphics, Sunstar, Regina Chains, WP Factory Services, Hinson Racing, DT-1, Dunlop, ASV, Motion Pro, Talon, Dubya,Excel, Loenbro Motosports, The W Training Facility, SoCal Supertrucks, Gear, Truck Central, Safety-Kleen, Hurly, ETS Fuels, Beta Tools, ProPegs, Xtrig, San Diego Powder and Protective Coatings

Follow the team on social media:

Instagram: @teamrmatvmc

Facebook: @teamrmatvmc

Twitter: @teamrmatvmc

Team Website: www.teamrmatvmc.com