Eli Tomac returns in impressive style as Monster Energy Kawasaki crowned at Angel Stadium

Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship returned to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California for Round 3 of the 2018 season and the inaugural event of the Triple Crown format.

In front of a sell-out crowd of 45,050 fans, Kawasaki riders Eli Tomac and Joey Savatgy each captured their first victories of the season.

The new Triple Crown format includes three main events with Olympic scoring deciding the overall event finish positions after the third Main Event.

As the gate fell for the 450SX Class Main Event 1, Monster Energy Kawasaki team-mates Josh Grant and Eli Tomac rounded the first turn in fifth and sixth place.

The two team-mates battled fearlessly for several laps, before Tomac made the pass stick and went on to finish Main Event 1 in fifth place with Grant right behind in sixth.

The Angel Stadium crowd was on their feet and cheering at the start of Main Event 2 as Tomac grabbed the holeshot to take the early lead. Tomac was pressured lap after lap, but never faltered and went on to win the second main event, while Grant held on to finish an impressive fourth place.

In the third and final main event, Tomac once again captured the early lead with Grant in ninth place. Tomac would lead for five laps before dropping to second place where he would remain until the chequered flag.

Tomac captured the first Monster Energy Supercoss Triple Crown overall victory with a 5-1-2 score. Grant finished an impressive sixth place overall with a 6-4-8 score.

“My shoulder made huge improvements over this last week,” said Tomac. “We came into this weekend looking to be consistent and I knew we’d be able to be competitive. To leave here with the win feels amazing. I can’t thank the team enough for everything they have done and continuing to believe in me. I’m looking forward to keeping the ball rolling.”

“Tonight was crazy,” said Grant. “The three race format is definitely chaotic. I felt great all day today on my KX™450F and it showed. I actually had a lot of fun tonight and I’m happy with my results.”

In the first six-minute Main Event 1 of the 250SX Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Joey Savatgy got out to the early lead with team-mate Adam Cianciarulo in third.

Savatgy raced at a blistering pace during the main event to capture the win, while Cianciarulo held on to finish fourth place.

At the gate drop of Main Event 2, Savatgy rounded Turn 1 in third place. Savatgy quickly made the pass for second place and continued to inch his way closer to the leader but would run out of time to make the pass. Savatgy would finish runner-up with Cianciarulo fifth.

The third and final Main Event saw another great start by Savatgy in second place with Cianciarulo in sixth.

Cianciaurlo began a push towards the front of the field, eventually making the pass for second in the final three laps. Savatgy stalked and hunted down the leader for the Main Event win and the overall victory with Cianciarulo finishing right on his rear fender in second place for fourth overall in the final event scoring.

“If I were to use one word to describe tonight’s racing, it would be ‘hectic’,” said Savatgy. “Consistency was definitely the name of the game tonight and I’m glad we were able to get three great starts and keep it on two wheels for all three main events tonight. I’m excited to go into Round 4 tied for the points lead.”

“Today went well,” said Cianciarulo. “Obviously, it wasn’t the results we wanted but I feel comfortable with my speed and I know I can win. I’m glad to leave here healthy after a crazy night of racing and keep building on each race.”