CORONA, CALIF. (October 16, 2017)
– Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Jordon Smith earned an impressive top-five finish at the MEC in Las Vegas as he returned to racing after sitting out the Pro Motocross season. Fans packed Sam Boyd stadium to see three 10-lap main events in which Smith went 5-4-6. Several of the TLD amateur riders also took center stage in two Amateur All-Stars races with Pierce Brown scoring the runner-up finish with a 3-2 score.
Trying to shake off the cobwebs after being absent from the starting gate for over four months, Smith was focused on putting in consistent laps in all three main events. In the opening race, Smith was mid-pack but making up ground on the field as the race passed halfway. By Lap 7, Smith had moved into sixth and was able to make the pass for fifth on the next lap where he would finish.
With a race under his belt, Smith was focused on making improvements and he did just that. From the opening stage of the second main event, Smith moved into fourth and was able to cross the finish with a two-second gap. While only 10 laps, the third and final main event would be about surviving the quickly deteriorating track. Smith raced smart and was able to finish sixth to take fifth overall.
“After being away from the starting line for so long it was a great feeling to walk away not only safe but with a top five,” said Smith. “This was where my big crash happened at the Las Vegas finals in May so I really didn’t want to ride over my head, but be smart and use this race to get some good laps in before the season starts in January. I’m thankful to the whole team for helping me get back to this point.”
The Amateur All-Star class featured two races that were six laps, making it a sprint race on a very technical track. Brown looked good from the start and quickly passed into third in the opening race where he would finish. Brown would get the start he wanted in Race 2 in second where he would ultimately finish, scoring him second overall with a 3-2 score.
Mitchell Falk raced to a top-10 finish after coming from behind in Race 2 to score a 12-7 for ninth overall. Derek Drake showed a never-give-up attitude as he bounced back from 18
th in Race 1 to finish 12
th in Race 2 for 16
th overall.
Smith wore the
GP Air Prisma Red Jersey with the
GP Air Mono Red Pant, while also outfitted with the
SE4 Carbon Squadra White Helmet. The Amateur All-Star racers were showing off the eye-catching
SE Streamline Red and Blue Jersey with the
SE Solo Red Pant. They all wore a custom painted Red Bull Jams SE4 Helmet. See all of the
2018 gear sets and the
2018 Moto Helmets online and at your
local TLD retailer.
Monster Energy Cup, Open Class Results (Main Event Results)
- Marvin Musquin, KTM (1-1-1)
- Jason Anderson, Husqvarna (2-2-2)
- Dean Wilson, Husqvarna (3-5-3)
- Broc Tickle, KTM (4-3-4)
- Jordon Smith, KTM (5-4-6)
- Justin Barcia, Honda (10-6-5)
- Josh Grant, Kawasaki (6-7-8)
- Benny Bloss, KTM (7-8-7)
- Vince Friese, Honda (8-10-10)
- Tyler Bowers, Yamaha (12-9-9)
Monster Energy Cup, Amateur All-Stars Class Results (Main Event Results)
- Seth Hammaker, Kawasaki (1-1)
- Pierce Brown, KTM (3-2)
- Jo Shimoda, Honda (2-4)
- Tanner Stack, Yamaha (9-3)
- Dylan Greer, Yamaha (6-6)
- Ramyller Alves, Yamaha (5-10)
- Carter Halpain, Yamaha (7-9)
- Jordan Bailey, Husqvarna (10-8)
- Mitchell Falk, KTM (12-7)
- Garrett Marchbanks, Kawasaki (16-5)
16. Derek Drake, KTM (18-12)
