Revenge for Cole Seely at the Lites, punishment for Anderson!
After two incredible disappointments in the first two games, Cole Seely was able to put things in order this time. How incredible is it that having led 43 of the 45 laps you can only have 1 victory. In the two previous matches, Jason Anderson managed to keep Seely from winning in the very last round.
Just like in previous matches, Seely took the lead early on. He immediately tried to open a gap on Cooper Webb, Dean Wilson and Malcolm Stewart. Jason Anderson followed a few places further in seventh place. Things again did not go so well for the Pro Circuit riders. Justin Hill had a good start but crashed in the first rhythm section. He came back nicely to fifth place, but did not win any prizes. In the meantime, things seem to be getting worse for Dean Wilson. After his good start he was in a good position for the podium, but a fall set him back. In his fall he also hindered Malcolm Stewart and Zach Osbourne, who Wilson could not avoid. Wilson eventually finished seventh, just ahead of Osbourne.
At the front, Anderson stormed into second place and started chasing Seely. For a moment it seemed that the scenario of the previous weeks would repeat itself, but this time the Honda rider was able to keep a cool head and take his first victory of the season. Anderson finished second and Cooper Webb finished third. Malcolm Stewart came fourth and Hill fifth.
Dean Ferris finished eleventh this time and Valentin Teillet finished 15th.
In the championship standings, Seely is three points behind Anderson, who is still three points ahead. Together they have a nice lead over Osbourne, who is already 19 points behind the leader. Webb is fourth and Wilson rounds out the top 5.
UPDATE: After the race, Jason Anderson was assessed a penalty for jumping a section at the red cross flag. He is moved back two places and only finishes fourth. As a result, Seely takes the lead in the championship with a 1-point lead.
Results Anaheim II
1 Cole Seely
2 Jason Anderson => Cooper Webb
3 Cooper Webb =>Malcolm Stewart
4 Malcolm Stewart => Jason Anderson
5 Justin Hill
6 Shane McElrath
7 Dean Wilson
8 Zach Osborne
9 Michael Leib
10 Jessy Nelson
11 Dean Ferris
12 Dakota Tedder
13 Cole Martinez
14 Chris Plouffe
15 Valentin You
Championship standings
1 Cole Seely, 69p
2 Jason Anderson, 68p
3 Cooper Webb, 53p
4 Zach Osborne,53p
5 Dean Wilson, 50p
6 Malcolm Stewart, 47p
7 Justin Hill, 44p
8 Jessy Nelson, 35p
9 Dean Ferris, 31p
10 Shane McElrath,29p
Photo: S. Cudby / KTM Images
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