AMA Supercross 2016 Round 5
Seely Eighth at Glendale Supercross
Round 5 of the AMA Supercross series in Glendale, Arizona, proved
difficult for Team Honda HRC, as Cole Seely finished the night in eighth
position. Following a top-five start in the main event, the Californian
made quick work of the riders in front of him, moving into third by lap
three. It looked as though he was setting himself up for solid podium
finish until a mishap on the next lap caused him to fall to ninth. Seely
fought to move back toward the front, but eighth was the best he could
manage.
For the second weekend in a row, Trey Canard did not take part in the
event as he continues to nurse an injured right hand. After he
attempted to ride during Thursday’s press day, it was determined that he
still did not have 100% strength to compete.
NOTES
- It was a short week for Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely and Trey Canard,
as they traveled to the University of Phoenix stadium early for press
day. On Thursday, Seely interviewed with NBC’s Channel 11 News and on
Friday Canard spent time with FOX Channel 10.
- The Glendale track showcased the longest lap times so far this
season, with all riders over the 1-minute mark. The competition was
fierce, with the top riders battling hard for the best mark during the
qualifying sessions. At the end of the daytime program, Seely landed
sixth at 1:02.522.
- Seely had his work cut out for him in 450SX heat 1 after a bad start
left him eighth on the opening lap. He put together an impressive
charge through the pack, finishing fourth and transferring directly into
the main event.
- The large stadium floor allowed for a unique track layout that
included an extended run to the first turn. “This is definitely one of
the longest starts I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been in the industry a long
time,” said team manager Dan Betley. “Despite that though, nothing was
done differently than a normal start except Cole shifted into fourth,
which is very unusual for a supercross race. Like normal, he started in
second, shifted to third, but with the length of the start he actually
got into fourth, which happens very rarely, if ever.”
- On race day, Team Honda HRC hosted a special family whose son Austin
is a brain-tumor survivor and has participated in Ride for Kids events
in the Phoenix area. The family received tickets and a rig tour and got
to meet Canard and Seely before joining the team for dinner.
- It was a spectacular night for GEICO Honda’s Christian Craig, who
captured his first-ever 250SX main-event win after leading the entire
15-lap race. Craig took the checkered flag with an advantage of nearly
three seconds over the next rider, an impressive feat for someone who
hasn’t competed full-time since 2013.
- On Saturday, February 13, Team Honda HRC will return to San Diego
for the season’s second and final stop at downtown’s Petco Park, for the
annual Military Appreciation race.
THE FOCUS: Phoenix Children’s Hospital
With help from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Ride for
Kids, for which Honda is the presenting sponsor, Team Honda HRC was
given a special opportunity to visit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital on
Friday before the race. During the visit, Trey Canard, Cole Seely and
team manager Dan Betley spent time in the oncology playroom, hanging out
with a group of young patients. The riders autographed posters for each
of the children and handed out Honda gift bags, each of which included a
T-shirt, beanie and stickers.
“Going to the Children’s hospital was awesome,” Canard said. “Just
seeing kids who don’t know anything about racing, but they’re excited to
see you and have visitors. It’s just a really neat thing to see those
families and kids light up.”
“It was an awesome experience getting to go to the hospital and visit
the kids,” echoed Betley, who had made it a point to join the riders
for the visit. “It was great for everybody, but speaking for myself, I
think I got more out of it than the kids did. It just tears your heart
apart seeing children fighting a terrible disease like that, but if Trey
and Cole can make a small part of their day more enjoyable, then it’s
worth it.”
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