ANAHEIM, Calif., (January 8, 2011) – The opening round of the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Championship is the most anticipated and hyped motocross event of the year, every year, and the 2011 running of the event affectionately known as “Anaheim 1” was absolutely no exception.
 
In front of a sold-out crowd of 45,050 fans inside Angel Stadium of Anaheim, the world’s top supercross racers went to battle, and Monster Energy-sponsored racers hit the mother lode.
 
In the Lites class, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, led by team owner and motocross legend Mitch Payton, entered three racers: multi-time X Games gold medalist Josh Hansen, new team member Broc Tickle, and former World Champion Tyla Rattray (entering his first-ever AMA Supercross event).
 
The evening started out right for the team with Tickle taking the win in the opening heat race of the event (and season), and then his teammate Hansen followed suit in the second heat, taking the victory there as well. Rattray was fourth in the first race, still feeling the effects of a practice crash during the day. However, he was cleared to race the main event by the Asterisk Mobile Medical Unit, and he lined up to do his best in his first shot at supercross.
 
Tickle followed his heat-race success with a main-even holeshot, and after a battle at the front for the first lap, he secured the lead in front of his teammates Hansen and Rattray. The two began to pull away from the ailing Rattray, and just past the halfway point, Hansen took over the lead position from his young teammate. From there, the top three was set, and the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team swept the podium at the biggest Supercross of the year.
 
“This meant a lot because a lot of our parts didn’t show up until the very last minute, so my guys have had no time off even from before Christmas,” said Pro Circuit boss Mitch Payton. “We didn’t break our bikes in until Thursday [two days before the race]...”
 
The responsibility of representing the Monster Energy Kawasaki team in the 450cc class fell solely on the shoulders of multi-time national champ Ryan Villopoto. His teammate, 2010 Lites West Champion Jake Weimer, broke his arm a week and a half before Anaheim 1, so Villopoto had to go it alone.
 
He started the night with a strong second-place finish in his heat race, then started out the main event in second place. After three laps, he made the pass for the lead, and that was that. He pulled away early and then cruised late in the main to take the victory, and carry the points lead going into round two in Phoenix next Saturday.
 
“Coming here, my goal was to leave here in a good position for the rest of the season,” Villopoto said. “Obviously, winning is the best position you can put yourself in leaving here, so I’m happy...”
 
The 2011 Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Championship continues next Saturday, January 15th, from Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz.
 
 
Supercross Class Results: Anaheim 1

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Monster Energy Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
5. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
 
 
Supercross Class Season Standings

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Monster Energy Kawasaki – 25
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 22
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 20
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 18
5. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 16
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 15
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki – 14
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 13
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda – 12
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 11
 
 
Supercross Lites Class Western Regional Results: Anaheim 1

1. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki
3. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
5. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda
6. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda
9. Nick Paluzzi, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha
10. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
 
 
Supercross Lites Class Western Regional Season Standings

1. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki – 25
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki – 22
3. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki – 20
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki – 18
5. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda – 16
6. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki – 15
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM – 14
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda – 13
9. Nick Paluzzi, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha – 12
10. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 11