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EIGHT ROUN
>> All eyes were on Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series opener. Anaheim has served as the unof cial home of supercross for a long time running, continually hosting the season opener, multiple rounds of racing, and always boasting sold out crowds. It seemed as though hype for the rst gate drop of 2018 had reached an all-time high as the nal days of the offsea- son passed; storylines were aplenty prior to the introductory gate drop of the season at Angel Stadium. Ryan Dungey’s retirement left a massive hole to be lled in the premier class, who would rise to the oc- casion? Ken Roczen was returning from his devastating injury suffered at the beginning of 2017, would he be the same rider that dominated the rst two rounds of the season last year? Cooper Webb had an underwhelming rookie year with Factory Yamaha, would he bounce back on his sophomore debut? Eli Tomac won more races than any other rider last year, could he nally clinch his rst 450SX Champion- ship? Marvin Musquin and Jason Anderson were both eager to prove themselves at the number one rider at the Baker’s Factory in Dungey’s absence, Justin Barcia earned a six race contract with Yamaha, and Chad Reed was closing in on the all-time premier class, main event starts record. If all of those narra- tives aren’t enough to satiate your appetite for supercross, we haven’t even mentioned any of the up and coming stars of the 250SX West class. Last year’s 250SX West Champion, Justin Hill, made one of the moves of the offseason, switching from the coveted Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team to the JGR Suzuki squad. Aaron Plessinger was motivated to get another shot at the championship as a part
of the Star Racing Yamaha out t, Shane McElrath was hungry for redemption after a mechanical midway through the season ruined his chances of the title last year, and Adam Cianciarulo and Joey Savatgy are still hunting down their rst supercross championships. Meanwhile, a new crop of rookies are ready to rise to the occasion. Welcome to 2018.
50 THE PULSE • ISSUE TWO