Tomac & McElrath victorious in Vancouver! 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship Round 1 – Race Report & Results

An electrifying Canadian GP opened the 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship, with Eli Tomac (CDR Yamaha supported by Star Racing), Shane McElrath (Fire Power Honda), and the FirePower Honda taking victories in the WSX (450cc), SX2 (250cc) and Team categories respectively.

Returning Supercross to Vancouver for the first time in 20 years, BC Place set the stage for the championship’s kickoff, delivering an intense track layout that challenged even the most skilled riders. The race saw competitors battle it out on a high-energy course, setting a powerful start to the series as the world’s top Supercross talent took on the new SuperFinal format, which pitted both WSX and SX2 classes against each other for the very first time in WSX history.

WSX Highlights

The action began with reigning WSX champ Ken Roczen (Piped Motorsport Group), Tomac, Joey Savatgy (Fire Power Honda), and Luke Clout (Rick Ware Racing) setting the pace during qualifying, with all four advancing to Superpole. Roczen, showing top form, clinched the fastest SuperPole lap with an impressive 50.742, securing the top spot in the time trial. Tomac and Savatgy followed closely behind in second and third, setting up a thrilling series of GPs.

Roczen kicked off the night with a strong win in the first moto, but it was Tomac who surged to victory in races two and three, displaying unmatched speed and consistency. Savatgy, consistent throughout, claimed third, second, and third-place finishes across the GPs. The podium for the WSX overall standings saw Savatgy in third, Roczen in second, and Tomac taking the top step.

Reflecting on his victory, Tomac shared: “It was a fantastic evening of racing. Kenny rode well in the first two races, and we were battling out there. I found my rhythm in the last couple of races, and everything just clicked. The energy from the Vancouver crowd was incredible, and I’m looking forward to the next round in Perth.”

SX2 Highlights

The SX2 class brought equally thrilling competition. Wildcard rider and reigning champion Max Anstie dominated early, leading practice and topping the timing charts. Coty Schock (Rick Ware Racing), Canadian Cole Thompson (Fire Power Honda) and Ryder Kingsford (CDR Yamaha) rounded out the top four to progress to the Superpole. The Superpole session was fiercely competitive, with less than a second separating the top riders. Anstie ultimately claimed first, followed by Thompson, Schock, and Kingsford.

Anstie carried his momentum into the first GP race, finishing five seconds ahead of second-place Kingsford. However, it was Shane McElrath of FirePower Honda who excelled in the second GP, claiming first place and positioning himself well in the points tally for the final race.

The final SX2 GP saw McElrath demonstrate his skill once more, taking the top step ahead of Enzo Lopes and Cole Thompson. Anstie, favoured to finish high, fell back to ninth following a crash, ultimately ending his hopes of overall victory. The final SX2 standings saw Thompson in third, Anstie in second, and McElrath crowned the winner.

McElrath commented on his SX2 victory, saying: “It was a good race. I had a slow start to the night, but I regrouped and got the win in the next two. It was just about minimising mistakes but overall, it was a great night of racing. This has been a lot of fun, racing in front of a new crowd and now can’t wait for Perth.”

Next, riders and teams head to Perth, Australia, for an exciting double-header, with rounds two and three taking place at HBF Park on November 23rd and 24th.

For further details on the championship and full race results, visit WSXChampionship.com.