2024 San Francisco Supercross Photo Gallery

2024 San Francisco Supercross Recap

Anyone else get the feeling the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season might set a record for the number of mudders?

The slop fest of Round 2 on Saturday in San Francisco at Oracle Park (the first time since 2009 when it was AT&T Park. I guess crime infested Oakland finally proved too much) defined all that is great and all that sucks about racing dirt bikes in a rainstorm. The great equalizer as some call it proved out, sort of, as those standing on the podium represent the current greats of this wonderful sport.

In the 450 class, reigning champion Chase Sexton rode like he was on dry land from the gatedrop to the end. He missed out on the Holeshot to Ken Roczen, though just barely, but led all 12 laps of the storm shorted race. Perhaps his opportunity to prove worthy of the #1 plate he rode mainly as a result of Eli Tomac going down in the penultimate race last year from an Achilles injury. But guess what?

Tomac took second perhaps proving to any naysayers about whether he can return from an awful injury at his age, 31. (He's younger than Aaron Rodgers so why not?) Very arguably, had Tomac claimed his third Supercross title in 2023, his place this year would be on the couch in the comfy confines of his house. Thankfully he paused retirement. Some of these guys you wish would race just a few more years.

Roczen, the ultimate veteran, took third. The mud race proved quite difficult for Jett Lawrence, winner of the opener and widely expected by some to clean everybody's clock this year and years to come. The reigning 450 Motocross Champion, via undefeated season, finished ninth. Guess that Honda bike that propels him in front of everybody needs a little more gas in the mud. Brother Hunter Lawrence who missed out on qualifying in the season opener finished 10th. Both Australian mates enter this year as rookies in the 450SX class.

Let's not forget Shane McElrath. A career best fourth! He loves the slop.

The results upended the 450 class Championship standings. You are correct, after one round it doesn't mean all that much, but the media elites who run this show love to create drama. All that to say, Airplane Lawrence loses the Red Plate and hands it to his former teammate Sexton. I bet that felt good for Chase. Give it to me, baby! Tomac moves from ninth to third, just three behind Lawrence.

In the 250 West class, RJ Hampshire did not slide his bike into home plate like he did last year. Actually, the opening round winner at A1 a week ago did not have much for the slop either, finishing ninth, but he did remove his goggles, a trademark of his when running in the mud. Jordon Smith, woo hoo! took the top spot. He, too, traveled on dry land (hey man, that's hyperbole) taking the Holeshot and leading all eight laps of the storm shortened race. The long time 250er narrowly missed out on a regional championship some years ago and has battled injuries and bad luck ever since. Who can't root for this guy?

Levi Kitchen took second and Garrett Marchbanks (nice feller, met him once) finished third.

Supercross heads south to San Diego for Round 3.