Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing Team rider Dylan Ferrandis did exactly what he needed to do in order to give himself the best shot at his first title, winning the final race of the season in Las Vegas tonight. The impressive ride was a championship-worthy performance as the Frenchman came out with the number-one plate in the Western Regional 250SX class as the dust settled inside Sam Boyd Stadium. Teammates Colt Nichols and Justin Cooper both grabbed results inside the top 10, finishing sixth and eighth, respectively. Mitchell Oldenburg didn’t agree with one section of the track and unfortunately was unable to qualify for the main event
Ferrandis entered the night with an eight-point deficit and knew he had to go out and win if he had any chance at all to come out a champion. When the gate dropped on the 250 East-West Showdown, he led the riders around the first lap. At the halfway point, in spite of his best efforts, it was looking like he would have to settle for second in the championship when the points leader went down. With that knowledge provided by his mechanic, Ferrandis did everything he could to keep his composure for the final six laps and took the checkered flag as the new Western Regional 250SX Champion.
Anaheim 1 winner Nichols brought confidence into the night after a great showing at the previous race. He had to use that confidence as he started outside the top 10 and quickly started picking off riders. Nichols was 10th by the second lap and continued to work his way around slower riders, ultimately finishing sixth.
The championship was out of reach for Cooper, but he still put in a solid effort. After falling in just behind Nichols at the start of the main event, he followed suit and was in the top 10 by lap two. The track was tough and it was a fight against the conditions as much as it was with the other riders. In the end, Cooper helped give the team its third top-10 finish in eighth.
With the conclusion of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing’s riders will make the transition to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in two weeks, starting at the Hangtown Classic in Folsom, California on Saturday, May 18.
Dylan Ferrandis
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing
“Coming into the main, I just asked my mechanic to tell me what Adam was doing and when I saw it at P-10 and P-12, I couldn’t believe it. We trained so hard coming into this weekend. It’s more than a dream come true. It’s hard to put into words. I’m just thinking about all the people that have been with me and supporting me. The team has been behind me the past few years and I’m very grateful to them for believing in me. This is incredible.”
Colt Nichols
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing
“It was tough night if you didn’t get a good start, and I definitely didn’t. I tried to push hard the whole race and all I could make it up to was sixth. I’m happy for our team and for Dylan to come away with the championship. Now it’s onto the outdoors we go!”
Justin Cooper
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing
“It was all about getting a good start tonight since the track ended up being really one lined in the main event. It was a bummer to not execute that start in the main and with everyone so close out there, it was hard to sit there and follow everyone around. We had a good supercross season as a whole and we’ll bring all this knowledge and experience into next year.”
2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX Las Vegas Results
1. Dylan Ferrandis
2. RJ Hampshire
3. Cameron McAdoo
4. Chase Sexton
5. Alex Martin
6. Colt Nichols
7. Michael Mosiman
8. Justin Cooper
9. Martin Davalos
10. Garrett Marchbanks
DNQ Mitchell Oldenburg
2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship Standings
1. Chase Sexton 193
2. Justin Cooper 180
3. Austin Forkner 152
4. Martin Davalos 148
5. Alex Martin 139
6. Brandon Hartranft 130
7. Mitchell Oldenburg 128
8. Kyle Peters 126
9. Kyle Cunningham 110
10. Jordan Bailey 101
2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX West Championship Standings
1. Dylan Ferrandis 226
2. Adam Cianciarulo 211
3. Colt Nichols 180
4. RJ Hampshire 168
5. Cameron Mcadoo 149
6. Michael Mosiman 144
5. James Decotis 133
8. Shane Mcelrath 123
9. Chris Blose 120
10. Garrett Marchbanks 113
Wil Hahn
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing Team Manager