2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Results: Ironman National

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. (August 26, 2017) - The 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, came to a dramatic summary on Saturday afternoon at the Christi Hubler Chevrolet Ironman National. Right after entering the final round of the summer needing just 22 points in order to clinch the 450 Class name, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Eli Tomac did just that, overcoming adversity in both motos to come away with the most renowned championship in the sport and lifter the Edison Dye Cup.

In the fight for victory on the track, Team Red Bull KTM's Jeffrey Herlings made the most of his visit to the U. S., showcasing his prowess en route to the 450 Course victory in his Pro Motocross first, sweeping the afternoon's motos. In the 250 Class, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Zach Osborne cemented his championship-winning season with a dominant outing, going 1-1 for their series-leading fifth win.

As the 450 Class field stormed out of the gate to start its opening moto, Tomac put his Kawasaki at the front of the field by getting his first Motosport. com Holeshot the season just ahead of his major championship rivals, RMATV/MC-WPS-KTM's Blake Baggett and Team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Marvin Musquin. However , it was Herlings who stormed by Tomac and into the lead initially ever. Despite losing the top place, Tomac's second place position might have been enough to clinch the particular title in the first moto, but he was determined to get back away front.

As Tomac attempted to challenge Herlings for the lead on Lap one, he over-jumped an obstacle plus crashed, dropping to sixth location, while Musquin moved into second plus Baggett into third. Herlings, which currently sits second in the FIM MXGP Championship, took advantage of Tomac's misfortune to establish an early lead, but Musquin refused to quit. After facing a deficit of more than three secs, Musquin started to chip away from Herlings' lead just past the halfway point. The Frenchman posted the particular fastest lap times of the moto to pull alongside his European equal, but a couple of small bobbles hindered his ability to attempt a give Herlings, who soon pulled aside for good.

Herlings went unchallenged in the shutting stages of the race to generate a moto win in his first attempt, crossing the line eight seconds ahead of Musquin, while Baggett followed in a distant third. Team Honda HRC's Cole Seely was 4th, one spot ahead of Tomac, which ultimately left the Kawasaki driver a single point shy of getting the title.

The pressure-filled final 400 Class moto saw Baggett come out with the Motosports. com Holeshot, just ahead of Musquin and Seely. Herlings encountered misfortune and went down in the opening corners and was forced to start at the tail end of the field, while Tomac experienced difficulty jockeying for position and began outside the top 10.

Seely made an early challenge on Musquin for second, but the Frenchman withstood it and set his sights on Baggett. It didn't take long for Musquin to seize control of the moto, moving previous Baggett and immediately pulling away. From there, the top three settled into their respective positions.

Behind the lead group, both Tomac and Herlings had been fighting their way through the industry, each breaking into the top 10 on Lap 2 . Herlings was on an impressive march forward, passing Tomac for ninth on Lap 3 and then breaking into the top five on Lap 5. His charge wasn't done yet, as he eventually exceeded Seely for third on Panel 7. Herlings continued to post the fastest laps on the track, which usually allowed him to close in on Baggett in the waning laps. He made quick work associated with his fellow KTM rider plus took over second on Lap 13, but still faced a deficit associated with nearly 10 seconds to Musquin.

As the Dutchman chased the overall victory, Tomac was content to manage points and be sure the title would be his, regardless of what his rivals did. He patiently worked his way forward, taking advantage of opportunities as they came, and quickly settled into sixth place.

On Panel 14, the complexion of the moto changed dramatically when Musquin made an uncharacteristic mistake and crashed out of the lead. As he picked up their bike to reenter the track, Herlings stormed past into the lead. Musquin desperately gave chase, but with just two laps remaining the particular late mistake was too costly.

Herlings assigned off a 1-1 sweep in the debut race by crossing the conclusion line 2 . 6 seconds ahead of Musquin. Baggett finished third.

Herlings grew to become the 68th different overall winner in 450 Class history and it is just the second Dutch rider to earn a Lucas Oil Professional Motocross Championship victory, joining Pierre Karsmakers. He's the fourth different driver to break through with his first profession win this season, along with Musquin, Baggett, and Justin Bogle.

"I was quickest all day, from practice to the very first moto and the second moto, inch said Herlings. "I was therefore mad at myself for a crash in the second moto, so I simply kept charging the entire time. We kind of got lucky that Marvin [Musquin] crashed generally there at the end, but it doesn't matter, I acquired a 1-1 and proved I had been the best today. "

Musquin settled designed for second overall (2-2), while Baggett completed KTM's first 1-2-3 sweep of the season in third (3-3).

Tomac's sixth-place finish in the second moto, and sixth overall (5-6), was enough to clinch his first career premier class title, making him the 24th different 450 Class Champion in history. He also gets the just the 11th rider in history to win a national name in both the 250 Class plus 450 Class.

"That was not easy whatsoever. I went back after the first moto and thought ‘is it really going like this? ' I think I allow my ego get the best of me within the first moto and needed to bring it all in before the second moto, " said Tomac. "We went out there and did what we required to do. This [championship] has been a long time coming and it seems amazing to finally accomplish it. I'm kind of at a loss for words and phrases right now. "

Tomac finished the season with a 17-point lead over Musquin, who also moved from third to 2nd, in the final championship standings. Baggett was just an additional two points back in third.

The first 250 Class moto saw GEICO Honda's Jeremy Martin take those Motosport. com Holeshot ahead of Rock-star Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Zach Osborne and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Adam Cianciarulo. While Martin forced the pace out front within the opening lap, Cianciarulo was able to create his way around Osborne for second and set his sights to the lead. Cianciarulo's early surge put him alongside Martin at the conclusion of Lap 1 and as they inserted the final corner side-by-side, the pair made contact, which sent Martin to the ground. Cianciarulo continued with the lead, while Martin was required to pick up his bike and remount in 12th place. Osborne slotted into second, while Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rookie Sean Cantrell moved into third.

Cianciarulo and Osborne were able to open up a comfortable gap over the field, but Cantrell battled fellow rookie Chase Sexton for third, with all the GEICO Honda rider getting the upper hand on Lap 2 . Out front, Osborne was persistent in his pursuit of Cianciarulo, using an alternate line through virtually every turn on the track, and at the start of Lap 9 that perseverance paid off as Osborne dove towards the inside of the Kawasaki and seized control over the moto. Cianciarulo attempted to mount a counter-attack, but Osborne withstood the pressure and started to take away.

One more battle for third started to unfold in the closing stages of the moto between Sexton and Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha's Colt Nichols. Sexton successfully fended off the initial challenge, chasing after his first podium result, yet saw his hopes of a career-best outing evaporate when he mixed with a lapped rider, giving third to Nichols.

Osborne continued to extend their lead and moved out to a double-digit advantage before taking his ninth moto win of the season, 9. 1 seconds ahead of Cianciarulo. Nichols posted his first profession podium finish in third. Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha's Aaron Plessinger has been fourth, with his teammate Mitchell Harrison in fifth.

The start of the second two hundred and fifty Class moto saw Cianciarulo put his Kawasaki out front using the Motosport. com Holeshot, but Osborne quickly challenged him. The newly crowned champion attempted to make a pass for the lead, but Cianciarulo shut the door, which allowed Martin to pass into second. Osborne reclaimed the location from Martin a short time later and brought Plessinger with him directly into third. Osborne's momentum brought your pet back onto Cianciarulo's rear fender, and he successfully took the direct on Lap 1 . Cianciarulo after that came under fire from Plessinger and lost his hold second, only to have Plessinger give the position back on the next lap after a accident took him out of the race. Plessinger's misfortune moved Martin into third, while Nichols continued his career-best effort to challenge from fourth.

Using a clear track, combined with the battles going on behind him, Osborne opened a gap of nearly seven seconds after just three laps, which he continued to build on beyond the 10-second mark. Cianciarulo was able to claim himself into second, leaving the particular battle for third to continue in between Martin and Nichols. While the direct duo stabilized their positions to the track, Nichols picked up his speed in the late stages of the moto and made the pass on Martin for third on Lap 11, but Martin waited until the final lap to mount one final challenge, re-passing Nichols to get back onto the podium.

Osborne capped away from his championship-winning breakout season the same way he started it, sweeping the particular motos after crossing the line 8. 3 seconds ahead of Cianciarulo. Martin edged out Nichols for third.

Osborne's second 1-1 outing of the summer highlights an exceptionally constant season in which he earned five wins and finished on the general podium at 11 of 12 rounds. Cianciarulo followed his initial career win from one week ago with a second straight podium outcome (2-2), finishing his season on a high note. Despite missing out on an additional podium result in the final moto, Nichols still captured his first career overall podium finish in third (3-4).

"It was a really good day. I would like to make it easy on myself, " said Osborne. "I've fought enough this summer so I didn't want to do that will to myself again today. Everything worked out about as well as it could and it was amazing to end the year like that. "

Osborne finished the 2017 time of year with an 81-point advantage over Martin, who secured the runner-up place, while Cianciarulo's strong finish towards the summer carried him to a career-best third in the final standings, 127 points behind Osborne.

The 2018 Lucas Essential oil Pro Motocross Championship will begin the third weekend in May, with the landmark 50th running of the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Rancho Cordova, California. From there, the fastest riders on the planet can embark on a 12-round journey in order to crown a pair of champions in the planet's most prestigious off-road motorcycle racing series.

Results

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Christi Hubler Chevy Ironman National
Ironman Raceway : Crawfordsville, Indiana
August 26, 2017

450 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish)

1. Jeffrey Herlings, Elsendorp, Netherlands, KTM (1-1)


2. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, Italy, KTM (2-2)


3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM (3-3)


4. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (4-4)


5. Cooper Webb, Morehead City, N. C., Yamaha (6-5)


6. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki (5-6)


7. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki (7-8)


8. Christian Craig, Corona, Calif., Honda (9-7)


9. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Suzuki (11-9)


10. Leader Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Husqvarna (12-10)

Final 450 Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki - 470


2. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM - 453


3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., KTM - 451


4. Leader Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Husqvarna : 340


5. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda : 330


6. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Suzuki - 308


7. Cooper Webb, Morehead City, N. C., Yamaha -- 268


8. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki - 268


9. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Husqvarna - 263


10. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, In. M., Husqvarna - 216


11. Christian Craig, Corona, Calif., Honda - 216

250 Class Overall Results (Moto Finish)

1. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna (1-1)


2. Adam Cianciarulo, Slot Orange, Fla., Kawasaki (2-2)


3. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha (3-4)


4. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (8-3)


5. Mitchell Harrison, Brighton, Mich., Yamaha (5-8)


6. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda (10-6)


7. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Honda (12-5)


8. Sean Cantrell, Newbury Park, Calif., KTM (6-12)


9. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Kawasaki (11-9)


10. Bradley Taft, Nixa, Mo., Yamaha (7-13)

Final 250 Class Championship Standings

1. Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Husqvarna - 501


2. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda - 420


3. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki - 374


4. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha - 337


5. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki - 324


6. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Yamaha - 305


7. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha - 303


8. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., KTM -- 296


9. Mitchell Harrison, Brighton, Mich., Yamaha - 279


10. Shane McElrath, Quarter, N. C., KTM - 248