2020 San Diego Supercross 450 Class Race Report

Cooper Webb clinched his first 450SX Class main event victory of the season in front of 41,573 fans at round 6 of the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series at Petco Park in San Diego, California. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider put his 450 SX-F Factory Edition in second place off the start and quickly moved into the lead, but was passed shortly after by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo. Webb was able to pass his longtime rival on lap 21 of the 25-lap feature race to take the win.

Related: 2020 Factory Supercross Bikes—Adam Cianciarulo’s Kawasaki KX450

“I got into the lead early and then Adam [Cianciarulo] made a good aggressive move on the inside and I just kind of let him go,” Webb explained. “The track, I knew it was going to be hard to pass and I knew it was going to be a long main event, so I was just kind of riding in there. I tried to make a pass a few laps earlier, but we played cat and mouse, which allowed Blake [Baggett] to catch up and I didn’t want to do that. It felt good late in the race to get that pass and the win.”

Cianciarulo’s second place result marks his second runner-up finish of his rookie 450 season. With that, he moved up to fifth in the series point standings.

“I’ve been waiting and working for this my entire career, to ride in the premier class and get on the big stage,” Cianciarulo said. “I’m still learning, still improving every day, and I feel like I rode really well tonight. I led nearly every lap of the race, but unfortunately got passed at the end, so I’m a little disappointed I couldn’t hold Cooper [Webb] off just a little longer. Honestly, I’m just excited to be up front with such a talented group of guys and prove I can compete.”

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC-WPS-KTM’s Blake Baggett kept the leaders in sight for most of the race and captured his first podium finish of the season at Petco Park.

“I felt like I was catching them,” Baggett remarked. “My strong point was in the whoops, and then I kind of just let it get away from me a little bit there. I got within striking distance and then just kind of lost ground a little bit and my whoops [speed] went away, so it’s bittersweet.”

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac found himself in 10th place off the start and had to work his way through the field on the tight San Diego course. He passed six riders to take fourth place on the night and sits second in the point standings—just one behind the leader, Ken Roczen.

“Well, I was challenged tonight after having to fight my way toward the front in the main,” Tomac said. “I didn’t have the best start, but we’ll get back to work with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team this week and hope to improve for Tampa next weekend. I do feel I rode well tonight, and I’m proud we were able to make up quite a few positions to finish fourth.”

Monster Energy/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia got off to a seventh place start, made a few passes, and held off some riders to round out the top five.

“We struggled a little bit in practice, but overcame that,” Barcia admitted. “I finally felt like I rode like myself in the heat race, but in the main event, I didn’t get the greatest of starts. I charged really hard the first few laps and diced it up in there. I felt like I rode well and the bike felt good, so I’m definitely proud of the ride. The goal this week is to keep working on the riding stuff and shoot for getting another win here soon. We will keep moving forward. I’m definitely looking forward to Tampa.”