Team Suzuki Press Office – April 1.
Jimmy Decotis [250 Class, 5th Place]
Justin Hill [450 Class, 11th Place]
The JGRMX/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Team was in Houston, Texas this weekend for round 13 of the 2019 Monster Energy Supercross AMA/ FIM World Championship and the eighth stop of the 250 Western Regional Supercross Series.
It was also the third and final Triple Crown Supercross event of the season; and Suzuki RM-Z250 rider Jimmy Decotis earned his fourth top-five result of the season, while Suzuki RM-Z450 rider Justin Hill finished just outside the top-10. Unfortunately, Supercross 250 rookie Enzo Lopes suffered an injury in practice and wasn’t able to continue in the main.
Taking on Houston’s technical and unique track layout, Decotis was extremely fast, logging the fastest lap time in the first main event. He ran as high as second in the opening main of the Triple Crown format before settling into sixth place and improved on his result in the second main by finishing fifth. The Peabody, Massachusetts native rounded out the final main with another sixth place, scoring an overall fifth place to end the night. Decotis moved up to sixth in the points standings.
“Jimmy Decotis had a good night,” said Jeremy Albrecht, Team Manager. “He was consistent and had a really good start in the first main. He made a few bobbles and didn’t stay up where he could have but ended up with a top-five for the night.
Hill had a day full of ups and downs. After qualifying inside the top-10, Hill was advancing his RM-Z450 through the pack in the first main before cutting inside a corner and making contact with another rider. In the second main, Hill rode with more aggression and was rewarded with an eighth place finish while a mid-pack start in the final main relegated the Oregon native to 10th, but he received 11th overall in Houston and is determined for better results in Nashville.
Enzo Lopes was eager to improve and ride his RM-Z250 to another top-10 finish like he had done the previous weekend in Seattle. Unfortunately, he sustained a crash in the opening practice session which resulted in a dislocated shoulder and sprained wrist. The Brazilian will undergo further evaluation to determine the full extent of his injuries. The team hopes that Lopes will be able to race in two weekends in Denver when the 250 West series picks back up.
“I was feeling good, especially with my family at the race,” said Lopes. “I went to do the rhythm on the second lap of practice and somehow hit neutral. Looking at the video from my crash, I’m thankful it wasn’t worse. I’m going to do everything in my power to be back at the next race.”
Albrecht continued, “It was a bummer Lopes crashed in the first free practice. We’ll give an update when we know more information. Hill ended up crashing in the first main but rode better in the second main event. We’re hoping for a better result from him in Nashville.”
The JGRMX/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Team will travel to Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, April 6th for the 14th round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championship. This will also serve as the seventh round of the 250 East Regional Supercross series.
Jimmy Decotis [250 Class, 5th Place]:
“I liked the track. It was technical and super tricky with big whoops. I enjoy the Triple Crown format, because it gives you three chances of getting a good start and running up front. We made small changes to the bike, but they made a big difference. We didn’t change anything for the night program. I was running second and closing the gap on first, but then I tightened up. It’s good to know that I have the speed to win races. I want to end the series on a strong note and win one of these things.”
Justin Hill [450 Class, 11th Place]:
“I really felt good all day. I had awesome energy and rode smoothly. Then I horsed around with another rider in the first main, which put me in a bad situation. I got drilled by another rider. I got through the rest of the mains as best as I could. All in all, I’m bummed. It should have been my day to get going and turn the corner. On to Nashville.”
Enzo Lopes [250 Class, Did Not Race]:
“I was feeling good. My family was at the race. I watched the B practice and had a good idea of how the track was going to develop. Unfortunately, I went to do the rhythm on the second lap of practice and somehow hit neutral. I landed hard on my shoulder. Looking at the video from my crash, I’m thankful it wasn’t worse. I’m going to do everything in my power to be back at the next race.”
Jeremy Albrecht [Team Manager]:
“Jimmy Decotis had a good night. He was consistent and had a really good start in the first main. He made a few bobbles and didn’t stay up where he could have. He ended up with a top five on the night. It was a bummer for Enzo Lopes crashing in the first free practice. His shoulder came out and the medical crew put it back in. He was really sore, and too banged up to continue. We’ll give an update when we know more information.
“Justin Hill ended up crashing in the first main. He rode better in the second main event and ended up with an eighth. In the last main he stayed where he started. We’re hoping for a better result from him in Nashville.”
