Anaheim 1 marked the first 250SX debut for Red Bull KTM´s Julien Beaumer, TLD GasGas´s Ryder DiFrancesco, and BarX Suzuki´s Anthony Bourdon. It was a solid start from each of them, as Beaumer and DiFrancesco finished in the Top 10, and Frenchman rider Bourdon was just one spot shy from getting it
JULIEN BEAUMER #929 | 6TH
Qualifying marked an impressive 250SX debut for Beaumer on the Western Region, who powered his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to the third-fastest time in convincing fashion. A holeshot in the second Heat Race of the night resulted in a promising ride toward the front of the pack on his way to second place.
The 17-year-old launched out of the gates once again in the Main Event to the holeshot, leading the opening laps. The rookie held his own as he challenged for a podium position throughout the majority of the race, before eventually taking the checkered flag in sixth place.
“Obviously this is A1, so I was a bit nervous at first – the Heat Race was nerve-wracking, but felt good overall. I felt good in the Main Event and got the holeshot, which made things a little scary, but I feel like my pace was good in the beginning. I made a little mistake around halfway and got passed, but just settled in from there. I am happy with sixth and the goal for next weekend is to be in the top five.”
RYDER DIFRANCESCO #34 | 9TH
Piloting his GASGAS MC 250F Factory Edition for the first time in race conditions, DiFrancesco was on the gas from the outset, improving from 11th in qualifying and racing to a sixth-place finish in the opening 250SX Heat Race of the year.
A top-10 start saw DiFrancesco battling for position throughout the entirety of the Main Event, pushing hard to move his way up the order. Ninth place was the result by the conclusion of the race, banking a solid amount of points and experience.
“It was a good night for A1, the first round is always a bit nerve-wracking, and it’s just the little things, like making it through the Heat Race into the Main Event. They’re things that no one really thinks about, so that was a huge check-off for me, and I know I have a lot more in me! Ninth isn’t where I want to be, but I ran fifth or sixth for half the race and I’m now stoked for San Francisco.”
ANTHONY BOURDON #100 | 11TH
Anthony Bourdon picked the BarX Suzuki RM-Z250 for his attack on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series. At one point Bourdon topped the leaderboard in his qualifying session and earned the second spot in each session. Bourdon put that speed to good use and came within one spot of a top-ten finish in his debut ride.
“Wow, my first Anaheim 1 is done, and what a race it was!” exclaimed Bourdon of his first experience with AMA Supercross. “Racing here has always been a dream, and qualifying for the final directly from the heat was a relief. I had a good start in the main but stalled the bike in the second lap which broke my concentration. I raced well, I was consistent all race, and I realized I had the speed for an even better result. Overall, I am incredibly happy with a P11 in Anaheim and can’t wait to race in San Francisco.”
