Anaheim 1

The excitement could be felt and heard as the first round of the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross season opener took over Angel Stadium of Anaheim, CA this past Saturday night. The anticipation of the first gate drop and who will take the win filled the air with energy as team rider Blake Baggett ready to take to the track for the first time this season.

Photo Credit: Kardy Photos

In the heat race, Blake Baggett launched out of the gate with his Dunlop tires digging into the Anaheim dirt to lead the 450SX field into the first turn for the first time in 2018, taking command of the race early on. He was challenged for the lead early on and became entrenched in a battle with competitors Jason Anderson and Cole Seely – and eventually Eli Tomac. The battle had all four going back and forth, eventually shuffling Blake back to third place. He held on strong, hitting his marks to finish third and a transfer spot to the main event.

A mid-pack start hindered Blake in the main event and had him outside of the top ten after the first lap. Determined to move forward, he started passing riders all the way inside the top ten to 8th place by the halfway point. He lost a few spots and rounded out the race finishing in 12th place.

“Tonight was a bit of a struggle,” said Baggett. “I didn’t get the start I needed and just went backwards from there. The first one is out of the way and we know what we need to do for next weekend. We’ll regroup and come back strong at Houston.”

As the dust settles on round 1, Team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC-KTM-WPS now travels to Houston, TX and the NRG Stadium for round two of the 2018 Monster Energy Supercross Series.