2009 Monster Energy Supercross: Toronto

Photo Galleries!
Click the following link for a 32-photo gallery of Supercross race action from Toronto.	You can also click the following link for a 30-photo gallery from Saturday's pre-race action in the pits, as well as timed qualifying.
Don't forget, if you're a Vital MX member, you can comment on any of the photos in the gallery. Not a member? Join now! It's fast and free.

Whenever we head north of the border to the Rogers Centre in Toronto, there’s no shortage of action, and Saturday night was no exception. The stage was a very loose and extremely rutted track surface that James Stewart described as the gnarliest track of the season. That also made it the perfect venue to wrap up the Lites East title chase, and to also tighten the Supercross points chase.

First up, the Lites class. Christophe Pourcel (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) did exactly what he said he wanted to do, by running away with the Supercross Lites main event, and the ’09 Lites East title in Toronto. He topped his Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammate, Austin Stroupe in a battle that had a lot to do with their respective starts.

Christophe Pourcel.

Division 7 / Star Racing / Yamaha’s Matt Lemoine and Broc Tickle hit the first turn together in the main event, but Christophe Pourcel was right there with them, and he quickly jumped to the lead. Meanwhile Stroupe got a mid-pack start, and quickly charged to lead trio, but the gap that Pourcel built early was maintained through to the finish. Stroupe made it to second spot, and Broc Tickle hung on for third.

In the Supercross class Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s holeshot specialist, Mike Alessi, showed off his starting prowess once again, getting to the first turn ahead of James Stewart (San Manuel / Yamaha / JSE) and Chad Reed (Rockstar Makita Suzuki). That lead lasted about four corners, before James Stewart jumped out front. He rode 20 strong laps, and scored his ninth win of the season. Meanwhile, points leader Chad Reed made a few big mistakes, and lost a batch of time to James with each additional miscue.

Josh Grant (33) and Andrew Short.

The best racing of the night? That was among the guys from third on back. Josh Grant (JGRMX Toyota/Yamaha) moved by Andrew Short (Honda Red Bull Racing) early in the main to secure what looked like it could be a podium spot, after moving up from eighth spot. But the guys who were really on the move started in mid-pack or further back. Kevin Windham (Geico Powersports Honda) was 15th on the first lap, and made it to sixth at the end. Davi Millsaps (Honda Red Bull Racing) started even further back, 16th on the first lap, and was seventh at the finish. But it was Josh Hill (Yamaha Factory Racing) who came from 11th to finish in the final podium spot.

The consensus among everyone (Chad included) is that he needs at least one more win to take the title. Next week will be sort of a neutral race...a new venue that neither of the title contenders have visited, so there are no pre-conceived notions of the venue, past results, etc. The biggest variable will be the racing surface, and if there's one slight advantage to be gained, it's that James will get a slightly earlier peek at the track since he and the San Manuel /Yamaha / JSE crew are scheduled to be there for press day on Thursday. In case you're wondering, this is all arranged far in advance.

As usual, we'll be there to bring you all the action, so be sure to check back here on Vital MX. In the meantime, check above for links to both the photo galleries (Race Report and Pit Bits). There’s plenty more to see in there.

Results

2009 Monster Energy Supercross

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Supercross Lites Heat 1
1. Christophe Pourcel

2. Branden Jesseman

3. Darryn Durham

4. Wil Hahn

5. Kyle Keylon

6. Vince Friese

7. Broc Tickle

8. Freddy Karrle

9. Daniel Blair

Supercross Lites Heat 2
1. Matt Lemoine

2. Austin Stroupe

3. Nico Izzi

4. Blake Wharton

5. Matt Goerke

6. Steven Clarke

7. Jason Thomas

8. Brady Sheren

9. Tyler Wharton

Supercross Heat 1
1. Chad Reed

2. Kevin Windham

3. Ivan Tedesco

4. Josh Grant

5. Mike Alessi

6. Benjamin Coisy

7. Matt Boni

8. Tommy Hahn

9. Kyle Chisholm

Supercross Heat 2
1. James Stewart (Yamaha)

2. Davi Millsaps (Honda)

3. Andrew Short (Honda)

4. Josh Hill (Yamaha)

5. Broc Hepler (Yamaha)

6. Jason Lawrence (Yamaha)

7. Tyler Bowers (Honda)

8. Paul Carpenter (Kawasaki)

9. Nate Ramsey (Yamaha)

Supercross Lites LCQ
1. Jacob Saylor

2. Kevin Johnson

Supercross LCQ
1. Jake Marsack

2. Nick Wey

Supercross Lites Main Event
1. Christophe Pourcel (Kawasaki)

2. Austin Stroupe (Kawasaki)

3. Broc Tickle (Yamaha)

4. Branden Jesseman (Kawasaki)

5. Matt Lemoine (Yamaha)

6. Wil Hahn (KTM)

7. Matt Goerke (Suzuki)

8. Vince Friese (Honda)

9. Daniel Blair (Honda)

10. Blake Wharton (Honda)

11. Nico Izzi (Suzuki)

12. Jason Thomas (Honda)

13. Kyle Keylon (Honda)

14. Kevin Johnson (Yamaha)

15. Steven Clarke (Suzuki)

16. Jacob Saylor (Yamaha)

17. Darryn Durham (Yamaha)

18. Freddy Karrle (Suzuki)

19. Tyler Wharton (Honda)

20. Brady Sheren (Suzuki)

Supercross Main Event
1. James Stewart (Yamaha)

2. Chad Reed (Suzuki)

3. Josh Hill (Yamaha)

4. Josh Grant (Yamaha)

5. Ivan Tedesco (Honda)

6. Kevin Windham (Honda)

7. Davi Millsaps (Honda)

8. Matt Boni (Honda)

9. Andrew Short (Honda)

10. Benjamin Coisy (Honda)

11. Mike Alessi (Suzuki)

12. Nate Ramsey (Yamaha)

13. Kyle Chisholm (Yamaha)

14. Paul Carpenter (Kawasaki)

15. Nick Wey (Yamaha)

16. Tyler Bowers (Honda)

17. Broc Hepler (Yamaha)

18. Jake Marsack (Honda)

19. Tommy Hahn (Kawasaki)

20. Jason Lawrence (Yamaha)

Supercross Lites East Point Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel 156

2. Austin Stroupe 128

3. Nico Izzi 112

4. Blake Wharton 102

5. Branden Jesseman 91

6. Wil Hahn 83

7. Matt Goerke 82

8. Matt Lemoine 82

9. Daniel Blair 75

10. Steven Clarke 71

Supercross Point Standings
1. Chad Reed 293

2. James Stewart 285

3. Andrew Short 209

4. Josh Grant 190

5. Ivan Tedesco 179

6. Kevin Windham 173

7. Mike Alessi 170

8. Davi Millsaps 166

9. Ryan Villopoto 165

10. Josh Hill 128