The Smartop | Bullfrog Spas | MotoConcepts | Honda team has entered the final portion of the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross Series, and the 2021 Salt Lake City One Supercross was the sixteenth round of the 2021 race season. Broc Tickle and Benny Bloss represented MCR well with finishes in the 450 Main Event at Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium.
After three trying races on Atlanta's high-speed hybrid track, Broc Tickle was glad to be back in a stadium and on a standard Supercross course, and it showed in his riding. Tickle made noticeable improvements in the afternoon practices, posted a 48.563 lap in the final session, and was ranked 14th overall in the final Timed Qualifying results. A good start in 450 Heat Race One put Tickle in the top-10 on the opening lap and allowed him to make passes, push forward through the pack, finish the short sprint in sixth place, and turn his attention to the 450 Main Event.
Consistency was the key to Tickle's ride in the feature race. In the middle of the action from the moment the gate dropped, he maintained a fast pace during all 25 laps on the technical track, battled with factory riders for a position in the running order, and claimed a hard-earned 12th place finish. "It was a positive day for myself and the team. The day started well, and I built momentum through the night," remarked Tickle. "I ended the night with a solid Main Event and a 12th place finish, which is respectable considering where I was in the first laps. The effort was there, and I was happy about it because I haven't been able to push that hard since my crash in Daytona. I'm looking forward to ending the season with a strong finish next week in Salt Lake City!" Tickle is now 15th overall in the 450 Class championship standings.
Ankle injuries have kept Benny Bloss from reaching his full potential in recent weeks, but he was once again able to overcome the pain and put in a solid showing during the first race in Salt Lake City. Bloss needed little time to learn the track because a 49.429 lap during the first Timed Qualifying session was his best of the afternoon and put him 15th overall in the combined field. A good start put Bloss into the top-10 very early in 450 Heat Race Two, and he made quick passes on riders before the checkered flag flew to take seventh place and transfer to the 450 Main Event.
The way that riders checked up just before the first lane of obstacles and practically brought the pack to a standstill at the start of the 450 Main Event, a chain of events that forced Bloss to go wide through the first turn and into the Tuff Blocks. After a hurried remount, Bloss put in a series of fast laps and made passes on riders at the rear of the running order, then settled into a steady pace through the remainder of the race and secured a 16th place finish. "I felt much better this weekend, and that showed in qualifying and a good ride in my Heat Race," reflected Bloss. "The Main Event did not go my way, but after the fall in the first turn, I got back up and put in the laps. There's one more race to go, and I want to finish the season strong." Bloss is 22nd overall in the 450 Class championship standings.
Vince Friese and Shane McElrath did not take part in the race due to injuries.
The 2021 Monster Energy Supercross Series will return to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, May 1st, for the 2021 Salt Lake City Two Supercross and conclusion of the championship.
2021 Salt Lake City One SX Race Report
