JGRMX YOSHIMURA SUZUKI IMPROVES RANKING AT DENVER SX

Team Suzuki Press Office – April 16.

Jimmy Decotis #64 – 250 Class, 7th
Enzo Lopes #67 – 250 Class, 10th
Justin Hill #46 – 450 Class, 10th 

The JGRMX/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Team was in Denver, Colorado for round 15 of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championship, and the ninth stop of the 250 Western Regional Supercross Series where Suzuki RM-Z450 rider Justin Hill, along with Suzuki RM-Z250 riders Jimmy Decotis and Enzo Lopes all improved their positions in the overall points standings; the trio all finishing inside the top-10 despite the frigid conditions.

Decotis fought through sickness to score another strong result on his Suzuki RM-Z250. After qualifying fourth-fastest in combined qualifying, “The Rippa” finished second in his heat race. With a favourable gate pick for the main, Decotis shot out to a top-five start and quickly moved up to third place in full attack mode. Unfortunately, the high altitude and lingering sickness sapped his energy. He finished seventh but continued momentum as he recorded his sixth top-10 finish of the 250 West campaign.

“It was cool to watch Jimmy race,” said Team Manager Jeremy Albrecht. “He rode well all day. He wasn’t feeling great, but he was fast. He was strong in the main and had a good start.”

Rookie Lopes was dealing with a freshly healed dislocated shoulder and tender wrist in Denver, yet he still lined up to the gate. After qualifying through the Last Chance Qualifier, Lopes cautiously rode to 10th place. The gutsy ride moved him up in the points standings and looking to take on the final challenge in Vegas next month.

“Lopes did a really good job, considering that he was racing with a cracked wrist,” said Albrecht. “He’s a super tough kid. I was happy to see him finish 10th, given the circumstances.”

Hill was dealing with a bulging disc in his lower back after misjudging a triple jump at the Nashville Supercross. He underwent extensive physical therapy this past week in an effort to race Denver and his hard work paid off. Hill put his Suzuki RM-Z450 in the main event, and proceeded to score his second top-10 of the year. As a result, Hill improved his position in the points standings.

“I’m ultimately proud of my effort coming into Denver,” said Hill. “I put in a lot of work to get my lower back moving. I’m definitely riding in a lot of pain, but I’m getting through it. I feel like I will be better as soon as I’m back to 100 percent health.”

The JGRMX/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Team will take a week off before traveling to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Saturday, April 27th for the 16th and penultimate round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championship. This will also serve as the eighth round of the 250 East Regional Supercross series.

Jimmy Decotis [250 Class, 7th Place]:

“Denver was a fun weekend! We had some snow during the practice sessions, which was actually pretty cool and different to be riding in those conditions. I felt like I was back home in New England. When the night show came around, the weather was awesome. I started with a second in my heat race and rode well. I had a good start in the main event, but I struggled to keep the lead pace. The track was very hard pack and challenging. Thanks to Buddy Antunez and Jeremy Albrecht for keeping my spirits high. I’m really hard on myself, so it’s nice to have a support team to keep me positive. I’m looking to end the season strong at Las Vegas.”

Enzo Lopes [250 Class, 10th Place]:

“It was snowing so much in the first qualifying session. There’s a first time for everything! All things considered, finishing 10th was good. I was happy to line up with my injuries. The doctor said I needed six weeks to heal, and I stayed off the bike for two weeks. I was happy to qualify pretty well and mix it up. I made a mistake after the whoops and went down in the heat race, so I had to go to the LCQ. I got a good start and rode smooth and saved energy for the main. In the main, my gate pick was really far outside and I had a rough start. I was running 11th or 12th for a while and moved into 10th place. I thought I had another lap left to catch the guys in front of me, but then the race ended. Racing with a broken wrist isn’t easy. I won’t lie, it’s hurting! Still, I’m up for the challenge and ready for Vegas.”

Justin Hill [450 Class, 10th Place]:

“I’m ultimately proud of my effort coming into Denver. I put in a lot of work to get my lower back moving. I’m definitely riding in a lot of pain, but I’m getting through it. I feel like I will be better for that, as soon as I’m back to 100 percent health!”

Jeremy Albrecht [Team Manager]:

“It was cool to watch Jimmy Decotis race. He rode well all day. He wasn’t feeling great, but he was fast. Every time he went out you could tell he wasn’t feeling well. He was strong in the main and had a good start, but he made several mistakes. Fortunately, he regrouped at the end. Enzo Lopes did a really good job, considering that he was racing with a cracked wrist. He’s a super tough kid. I was happy to see him finish 10th, given the circumstances.

“Justin Hill ended up with a top-10 finish. It was an improvement over last week when he hurt his back. Hopefully he will heal up more during the break and come out strong in New Jersey. Chad Reed was on hand doing autographs, and the crowd was happy to see him. It was cool to be racing in a new town. The weather was crazy, with all of the snow during practice. The weather made the racing fun and different. Our Suzuki bikes ran really well in the high altitude. In fact, Jimmy Decotis was the only 250 rider to do a triple in the main event that only the 450 guys could do.”

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