For the first time in the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross season, three different winners took the top podium step during a three-race city residency. The trend so far this season has been city sweeps, but the Atlanta fans were treated with wins by the top three 450SX premier class title contenders.
Atlanta 1 and 2 winners of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac and Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen rounded out the podium for Atlanta 3 as Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb got back into the winners column with a come from behind win extending his points lead to 16 with two races left.
“It felt good to get some redemption and get back into the winners circle tonight,” said Webb post race. “We didn’t have our best showing in the first two races here in Atlanta, so to get this one and grab that momentum back headed to the final two races in Salt Lake was key for us. We are focused as a team to go get the job done.”
For most of the race, Roczen led, looking to cut more into the Webb points lead. Then with just under five minutes remaining on the race clock, Roczen got loose in the whoops and went off the bike. Having nearly stayed on his feet, Roczen was able to quickly get back on the bike still with a comfortable lead. But all was not well. Post race, Roczen said that his handlebar had gotten bent from the impact. Webb saw the opportunity and he broke away from Plessinger and Tomac and ate into Roczen’s five second lead. With 23 seconds on the clock, effectively two laps remaining, Webb charged through a sand section, dove under Roczen in a bowl turn, and cut down to close off any chance of a retaliation. One bobble late on the last lap added some drama, but Webb held on for the win that meant a six point swing in the points, had he not gotten around Roczen.
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, the drama and action continued with winner of the night, rookie Nate Thrasher winning for his second time this season coming through the Last Chance Qualifier both times to do it.
Placing second and significantly stretching out his points lead, Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Justin Cooper grabbed the holeshot and looked on his way to the win but a crash and injured rider on the track brought out the red flags for a re-start. Cooper duplicated his incredible start and put his Yamaha up front again on the re-start but lost the lead to his teammate in the early laps. Cooper rode steady and unchallenged in second to stretch his lead in the championship chase to 20 with one round remaining in the division. Had a few more positions been between he and Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo, Cooper would have mathematically won the title that night.
The series comes to a close at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City for the penultimate 450SX Class event and Round eight of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class on Saturday, April 24. Then one week later, at the same venue, the final round of the season to determine three championships with a 450SX race and the 250SX East/West Showdown.
Tickets are on sale in a limited capacity, pod-seating format. Both rounds will be shown live on simultaneous broadcasts on Peacock and NBCSN. Please visit SupercrossLIVE.com for full results, season highlight videos and more racing information.