Jason Anderson led just one lap in Round 5 but it counted as he returned to the podium and got his second win of the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross season on Saturday in Oakland.
Anderson thwarted Ken Roczen's chance at his first win of the year after Roczen bobbled allowing Anderson to pass who held on for the victory. Anderson increased his Championship points lead to 19 over Roczen and also escaped possible significant injury during a practice crash when he endowed over the bars. Blake Baggett finished third for this first podium of the year.
Justin Barcia flattened Eli Tomac, winner of the last two rounds, in a turn and finished fifth while Tomac struggled taking 13th and dropped 52 points from the lead. Marvin Musquin took fourth his best finish since a Round 2 Heat race injury. Tomac and Musquin, both title contenders to start the year, lost significant ground to contend for the Championship.
In the 250SX West class Aaron Plessinger grabbed his third win and second straight thanks to a gutty performance while dealing with the flu. Plessinger now has a nine point lead over Joey Savatgy who finished second and defending Champion Justin Hill finally broke through with his first podium of the year. Shane McElrath, who qualified first on the day, pulled into the pits mid-race for a breather after crashing then continued but finishing a season worst 15th. He drops to third in the standings.
Check out all the action from Oakland. Photos by Ryne Swanberg.
2018 Oakland Supercross
