SuperX: Powersports Honda Phoenix race report

Lapped traffic spoils Windham's Phoenix ride; DeCotis starts strong

PHOENIX (Jan 15) - GEICO Honda rider Kevin Windham had big plans for the second stop of the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross Series in Phoenix. Unfortunately for Windham things don't always go as planned.

"I was having a great race," Windham said. "My GEICO Honda was running great. I had a great start but then I got tangled up."

The veteran rider, who is competing in his 17th season, had his 450cc machine off to a strong start in the main event but a crash during lap 12 brought his hopes of winning the race to an end.

"I thought the guy was going to zig, but he zagged," Windham said of the slower lapped traffic he encountered. "I was already in the air and there was nothing I could do about it at that point. It broke the front brake and bent the handlebars of my Honda and that was it for me."

Windham is still hoping to be a major player for the 2011 season and isn't going to let his 19th-place finish in Phoenix ruin his goal of winning the championship.

"That's racing," Windam said, "or at least that's what they tell me. It sure doesn't make it any easier. Tonight was tough but we're going to move on next weekend to LA and hopefully make up for it."

Windham's teammate Eli Tomac ran a very competitive race in the 250cc Lites class, working hard to earn his fifth-place finish.

"Qualifying went really well," Tomac said. "The top of the pack was really tight, and it showed during the main event too."

Tomac's GEICO Honda was as far back as 11th during the main event but the Supercross rookie was not about to settle for that. He kicked it into high gear and earned every spot on his way up to fifth.

"Unfortunately my start hindered my performance once again," Tomac said. "I definitely know I have more endurance than most of those guys because in the end, when it counted the most, I came on strong."

The rookie is beginning to feel comfortable in the Lites class, and can't wait for the next race to continue improving.

"I feel like I'm totally used to Supercross now," said Tomac, who turned pro last year in the outdoor portion of the season. "No more rookie bugs. I'm ready to come out swinging next weekend."

Replacement rider Jimmy DeCotis' made his debut with the GEICO team at Chase Field and his first race with the team is one that has got everyone in the Lites class looking his way.

"I rode a little tight early in the day," DeCotis said, "but I rode really well in the main, and that's where it really counts. I just have to work on my endurance a little more and we'll be set."

Riding for the injured Wil Hahn, DeCotis earned a seventh-place finish on his 250cc Honda, proving he's not just a replacement rider, he's here to compete.

"I have a great team behind me right now," DeCotis said. "It's going good. We're just going to build on this. I did what I wanted to do and can't wait to get back out here again next race."

The next stop for the Monster Energy Supercross Series is next Saturday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

-source: powersports honda