250 Class Moto 1
The Monster Energy Supercross season proved to be a tough one for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki and Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha, as both teams were hit with a slew of injuries that took several top stars out of action. Hangtown would go on without Adam Cianciarulo, Martin Davalos, Dylan Ferrandis, Colt Nichols, and Mitchell Oldenburg, but both Monster Energy squads still rolled out stout lineups to start the Pro Motocross season. Veteran Joey Savatgy, rising star Austin Forkner, and rookie Garrett Marchbanks would carry the torch for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, while championship hopeful Aaron Plessinger and talented rookie Justin Cooper led the way for Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha.
When the gate dropped on Moto 1, it was Forkner and Cooper who immediately made their presence felt. Forkner nabbed the holeshot, but Cooper was able to push his Yamaha into the lead. The two young guns went on to occupy the top two spots for several laps, but they soon received a serious challenge from Zach Osborne, the defending champion, and Jeremy Martin, a former two-time champion.
Forkner dropped from second to fourth, but he got back into podium position following a tip over by Martin. Out front, Cooper was giving it his all in defense of Osborne’s attack, but relinquished control of the lead on Lap 4. Once in the lead, Osborne never looked back, but a slew of Monster Energy riders remained in the mix for the podium as both Plessinger and Savatgy were also battling alongside their teammates and Martin.
Veteran experience won out at the end of the moto as Osborne was followed by Martin across the line. Plessinger made a late charge to steal third from Forkner, while Cooper dropped to fifth in a breakout ride. Savatgy was seventh, with Marchbanks 12th.
250 Class Moto 2
The Moto 2 start saw Plessinger push his Yamaha into the front, only to narrowly miss out on the holeshot to Martin. Nevertheless, Plessinger settled into the position and prepared to do battle with Osborne and Alex Martin. The rest of the Monster Energy unit was forced to do work on the heels of tough starts, with Cooper seventh, Marchbanks ninth, Savatgy 13th, and Forkner 14th.
Plessinger lost some valuable ground in the early stages of the moto, falling as far back as fifth, but he remained persistent and saved his energy for the end. Marchbanks was the most impressive Monster Energy rider in the field and took advantage of his top-10 start to make some passes and climb up to Plessinger’s rear fender in sixth. Cooper stayed solidly in the top 10 as well, while Savatgy was giving it his all to get into the hunt. Unfortunately for Forkner, his day came to an early end after he suffered a big hit to his chest and was unable to continue. Thankfully he checked out clear of any serious injury.
In the waning stages of the moto Plessinger mounted a late run that carried him into fourth, on the heels of Alex Martin, while Marchbanks did battle with Chase Sexton for fifth. Out front, Osborne capped off a 1-1 sweep for the overall win, while Jeremy Martin followed with 2-2 results.
Plessinger settled for fourth in the second moto, but his 3-4 scores were enough to land him on the overall podium in third for the second consecutive year at Hangtown. Cooper enjoyed an impressive fifth-place finish, with Savatgy seventh, Marchbanks 10th, and Forkner 12th.
250 Class Results
1. Zach Osborne, Husqvarna (1-1)
2. Jeremy Martin, Honda (2-2)
3. Aaron Plessinger, Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha (3-4)
4. Alex Martin, KTM (7-3)
5. Justin Cooper, Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha (5-9)
7. Joey Savatgy, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki (6-10)
10. Garrett Marchbanks, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki (12-6)
12. Austin Forkner, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki (4-39)
250 Class Standings
1. Zach Osborne, Husqvarna – 50
2. Jeremy Martin, Honda – 44
3. Aaron Plessinger, Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha – 38
4. Alex Martin, KTM – 34
5. Justin Cooper, Monster Energy/Yamalube/Star/Yamaha – 28
7. Joey Savatgy, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki – 26
10. Garrett Marchbanks, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki – 24
12. Austin Forkner, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki – 18