The 2015 season’s third and final stop at Angel Stadium of Anaheim was another big night for Team Honda/HRC, as premier-class rookie Cole Seely rode to a runner-up finish, the best 450SX result of his career thus far.
The unique elevated start proved no problem for the Californian, who launched off the line near the front of the pack, securing second place on lap two. Seely rode like a veteran, unfazed by race-long attacks from his pursuers. Among them was GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac, who overcame a poor start and methodically worked his way through the field, making an exciting pass for third one lap before the checkered flag flew. Just one week after Trey Canard scored his first victory of the season, the Oklahoman rode to fifth place, making it three Honda CRF450Rs in the top five.
The Team Honda/HRC rider would likely have finished even better were it not for a mishap at the halfway point.
NOTES
The Wednesday before Anaheim 3, Team Honda/HRC hosted some special guests at their test track in Corona, California. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck, along with six other officers, joined Cole Seely, Trey Canard and Eli Tomac for a unique day that will be the basis of a story in the May issue of Dirt Rider.
On the eve of the race, Malcolm Smith Motorsports hosted its fourth annual Supercross Fan Appreciation Autograph Signing, and over 900 fans pre-registered to meet their favorite riders. Team Honda/HRC’s Seely and Canard, along with GEICO Honda’s Tomac, Matt Bisceglia and Malcolm Stewart, were on hand for the excitement. The Anaheim 3 pits were buzzing with the debut of Team Honda/HRC’s new photo booth, which allows fans to strike a pose on a replica of Canard’s CRF450R, with a backdrop featuring a pursuing Seely.
Look for the booth near the Team Honda truck at other Supercross rounds this season. The Anaheim 3 podium looked uncannily similar to that of last year’s Indianapolis round, where Seely had taken advantage of the break in the 250SX West series to serve as a fill-in rider for an injured Canard. As was the case then, Seely was joined in the top three by fellow Honda rider Tomac, only this time the two swapped positions, with Seely second and Tomac third.
The Honda Red Riders were on fire during the day program, each clicking off impressive times that landed them 2-3-4 overall heading into the night show. GEICO Honda’s Tomac was second-quickest at 57.210 seconds, Canard third with 57.487 and Seely fourth with 58.304. With 84 points each, Canard and Tomac left Anaheim 3 tied for third in the championship chase. Seely still sits in seventh but has closed the gap on sixth to a mere four points.
Prior to the next AMA Supercross round, Team Honda will be attending Escondido Cycle Center’s San Diego Supercross Open House on Friday, February 6, starting at 6 pm.
Cole Seely
“The past three weekends, I feel like I’ve gotten my aggression back and worked out the bugs from those first rounds, but I needed the start. I got a horrible start in my heat race, but the main was better. The elevated start made things interesting, and I got off the line good and really charged down that thing. I came out of the first turn third and then passed [Blake] Baggett for second. I tried to look forward the whole time, which was really hard because these guys were putting the pressure on most of the race. I managed to hold them off though, and I’m pumped with second and am looking forward to San Diego.” Trey
Trey Canard
“Fifth place isn’t bad, but it’s always disappointing when you’re in a good position and don’t capitalize on it. I was good in qualifying and was pumped to finally get a good start; hopefully we can continue doing that and put ourselves in a better position for the rest of the series. I got into a rhythm around halfway and felt a little bit of urgency to pass Cole. Maybe I rode a little too aggressively and went a bit too wide in the sand and washed the front. I buried the clutch lever and had to dig that out, and I never really got going after that. My riding is good, so there’s no big drama; I just need to keep doing work and make progress. I’m happy for Dan, the management and Cole; it’s a really cool time to be on this team.”