Slaw
WSX Race Report
Jason Anderson lit up the Swedish GP after boosting his world championship chances with a vital win in the fourth round in Stockholm.
Anderson, who came into this season with expectations of challenging for victories, has found them hard to come by.
Following the Australian GP, he jetted back to Florida to spend two days riding his Suzuki to find a set-up that he was comfortable with.
Anderson then flew straight to Sweden, where the Pipes Motorsport Group rider took victory on the night after winning the second sprint race and the main race.
But after Joey Savatgy excelled in Superpole and the first sprint race, Anderson was fearing the worst. He said: “All day I was floundering and thought Joey had me, but going into the last race, I knew I had to kick in and hit my marks and also send it at the same time. I got in front and I thought I was going to pull away, but Joey was on me all the way.”
Savatgy’s Second
Savatgy took second place in the event but was left disappointed after setting the early pace and winning the first sprint race.
In Race 2, he went down to throw the advantage to Anderson, while Christian Craig also made a mistake that gifted Anderson victory in the second race and turned the tide of the evening.
Savatgy said: “It is a little tricky; it looks brand new, but I might have played it a little too safe early in the moto. Ultimately, it was a positive day, but I just need to be a little better than that, and I will be happy.”
Damage limitation for Craig
Craig, who came off his Quad Lock Honda in the second race and was running 10th before fighting back to finish fourth, was left nursing a sore leg.
He said: “I struggled in the ruts, and the corner speed was not there. These guys were on it; I wish I was a little closer and matched those guys. I had a fall in the second race, and it was fun to come through the pack.”
It leaves the title race delicately poised ahead of the final round in South Africa, with Anderson, Savatgy, and Craig all separated by just a point.
SX1 Overall
Max Anstie increased his lead in the SX2 championship by winning the Swedish GP – but he will have to wait until the final round to discover if he will be crowned this year’s World Champion.
Anstie, who had taken a clean sweep in the opening three rounds in Buenos Aires, Vancouver, and Australia, did not get it all his own way in Sweden.
The Team GSM by Star Racing Yamaha rider missed out on the Superpole to Enzo Lopes and, despite winning the opening two sprint races, it was Brazil’s Lopes who took the victory in the Main Race
Anstie said: “Well, that was a tough one. Obviously, the first two races went very well. And that last one, man, it was hard with the ruts.
“I had a moment where my feet came off at one point and I twisted my ankle – twisted my legs – and I was like, ‘OK, I’m just bringing it home right now’. That was tricky. The track was tough, so I just focused on bringing it home, and I look forward to Cape Town next week.”
In Race 1, Anstie was forced to fight hard for the victory, as Michael Hicks was the surprise leader for the opening five laps. The Stark rider, who had impressed and narrowly missed out on Superpole, was close to winning the first race for the all-electric manufacturer.
But Anstie mounted a late comeback, passing Shane McElrath and Hicks in what was a thrilling final two laps.
If Anstie struggled for the win in Race 1, Race 2 was another story. He thundered out of the gate and took the leader and never looked back.
He was even able to skim the whoops while others all picked to jump them, such was the confidence of the Team GSM by Star Racing Yamaha rider.
Anstie took the win while Lopes was second and Hicks was an impressive third.
Lopes saved his best for the Main Race, which carries more points than the two sprint races. He made a fantastic start out of the gate and bullied his way to the front where he was able to hang on to take victory.
Lopes said: “I finally got a good start and it was not easy because Max and Shane were on me the whole race, especially the last turn. The win feels amazing and I want to take everyone in Brazil watching.”
McElrath, who pressed Lopes for the win at the death, added: “It’s a little bittersweet. It’s been a tough year so far. We have been working. Last year, I just wanted to win and I feel like I should win, but we are still fighting. It is not super easy but I am learning and getting back.”
SX2 Overall
