The Honda Red Riders took on round five of the 2011 AMA SuperCross series, an FIM World Championship at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on Saturday, February 5. American Honda Racing's Trey Canard put in an impressive performance aboard his Honda CRF450R in finishing fifth overall, while Chad Reed scored his second-successive podium result of the season aboard his TwoTwo Motorsports Honda CRF450R. GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac had another solid outing aboard his CRF250R, scoring his third-consecutive podium in the SuperCross Lites West competition.
Canard was quick to find his groove on the challenging Anaheim track, finishing his heat race in second place. In the main event, he got away to a mid-pack start and rounded the opening lap in 12th position. Despite the odds, Canard set about working his way up through the pack, and by lap 10 had moved into the number five spot, where he remained until the race's end.
"I got a good start in my heat race," said Canard. "I didn't necessarily get a bad start in the main but I did position myself badly going into the first turn. I got bumped around a lot on the opening lap and I lost a lot of ground on the guys up front while I was battling mid-pack. The team did a great job setting my bike up; it worked perfectly. I'm really itching to get back on the podium because I know that's where the team deserves to be. But with every race I learn a little something more about SuperCross racing and I know all the pieces will come together very shortly."
Reed got off to a good start in the main by moving into the number three spot on the opening lap and defending that position until the race's end. The Honda newcomer's third-place result aboard his CRF450R was his second-consecutive podium finish of the season, elevating him to third overall in the championship points. GEICO Honda's Kevin Windham finished a solid eighth aboard his Honda CRF450R.
In the SuperCross Lites West competition, GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac rode an impressive race, scoring his third-consecutive podium result. The rookie racer battled for the lead, enjoying a short stint in the number one spot on lap 10 only to relinquish that spot later on, eventually taking the checkers as runner-up. Teammate Jimmy DeCotis finished in 10th place aboard his CRF250R, while Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda's Cole Seely finished a spot behind in 11th position aboard his CRF250R. |
February 5, 2011
