In a challenging muddy race at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Chase Sexton secured a significant victory, becoming the first rider to beat Jett Lawrence twice in the 450 division. This triumph allowed Sexton to reclaim the red plate and position himself as a contender for the 2024 championship. Despite a modest showing in his heat race, Sexton demonstrated exceptional momentum throughout the day.
Eli Tomac rebounded from a disappointing performance in Anaheim to finish second in the muddy conditions, addressing questions about his health. Ken Roczen, finishing a distant third, maintained his points standing. Shane McElrath, riding for Rick Ware Racing, achieved his first top-five since last year, securing fourth place, while Aaron Plessinger rounded out the top-five, marking him as the only rider, alongside Sexton, with a sweep of the top five.
Jett Lawrence faced an unusually challenging day, finishing ninth in the Main Event and losing the red plate to Sexton by seven points. However, Lawrence’s fans need not worry, as he can quickly recover the deficit in upcoming races.
In the 250 division, Jordon Smith followed up his second-place finish in Anaheim with a victory in San Francisco, gaining a five-point advantage over Levi Kitchen. Kitchen, scoring podiums in both early rounds, now aims for further improvement. Garrett Marchbanks, excited to return to the 250 division, earned his first podium since February 2021, showcasing his skills in challenging conditions.
RJ Hampshire, after winning in Anaheim, struggled in the mud, finishing ninth in San Francisco and dropping to third in the points standings. Jo Shimoda faced difficulties, finishing 22nd in San Francisco, and now sits in a distant 13th in the points standings on a bike that won a 250 divisional championship last year.
