World SX2 Championship: McElratch most regular in Cardiff!
There was no clear favorite in the very first SX2 GP. However, that has nothing to do with a lack of talent among the quarter liters! After an unpredictable match, Shane McElrath (4-3-5) won the first evening ahead of Chris Blose (2-4-8) and Mitch Oldenburg (1-19-1).
In any case, the three races over six laps provided a concentrated and powerful spectacle. MotoConcepts Honda's Mitch Oldenburg made an immediate impression in the opener. The 28-year-old American led the first final from start to finish. He made it ahead of Bud Racing Kawasaki duo Chris Blose and Matt Moss (Kawasaki). Shane McElrath came back strongly after a poor start, while British-New Zealander Dylan Walsh, wildcard rider in Cardiff, finished fifth!
SX2 final 1
1. Mitch Oldenburg (HON), 6 Laps, 2. Chris Blose (KAW), 3.321, 3. Matt Moss ( (KAW), 4.382, 4. Shane Mcelrath (YAM), 4.814, 5. Dylan Walsh (KAW), 8.554, 6. Carson Brown (YAM), 8.557, 7. Aaron Tanti (YAM), 9.045, 8. Lorenzo Camporese (HON), 11.038, 9. Derek Kelley (SUZ), 11.557, 10. Phil Nicoletti (YAM), 13.476
Home victory for Max Anstie
Ex-GP rider Max Anstie (Honda Genuine) sent his CRF250R to the holeshot in the second final where he narrowly held off Maxime Desprey. McElrath, Blose and Wilson Todd rounded out the top-5. Oldenbrug crashed and had to settle for 18th place.
SX2 final 2
1. Max Anstie (HON), 6 Laps, 2. Maxime Desprey (YAM), 1.226, 3. Shane McElrath (YAM), 2.551, 4. Chris Blose (KAW), 4.025, 5. Wilson Todd (HON), 5.730 , 6. Derek Kelley (SUZ), 6.565, 7. Carson Brown (YAM), 7.002, 8. Justin Bogle (KTM), 7.812, 9. Aaron Tanti (YAM), 8.931, 10. Dylan Walsh (KAW), 10.942
SX2 Superfinal
1. Oldenburg, 2. Seely, 3. Tanti, 4. Brown, 5. McElrath, 6. Bogle, 7. Kelley, 8. Blose, 9. Owen, 10. Anstie
Oldenburg also shot to the top like a devil out of a box in the Superfinal. He made it ahead of Cole Seely, Australian Aaron Tanti (CDR Yamaha) and pit bike phenomenon Carson Brown (GSM Yamaha). Although Walsh had started well again, he crashed early.
In two weeks, the Supercross World Championship will head to Melbourne, Australia, for the second GP of the season.
SX2 Cardiff Final Standings
1. Shane McElrath (YAM), 54 points, 2. Chris Blose (KAW), 53, 3. Mitch Oldenburg (HON), 52
4. Carson Brown (YAM), 47, 5. Aaron Tanti (YAM), 46, 6. Max Anstie (HON), 46, 7. Derek Kelley (SUZ), 41,
8. Maxime Desprey (YAM), 38, 9. Wilson Todd (HON), 33, 10. Matt Moss (KAW), 30
Photos: SX Global
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