Million Dollar Motocross

Honda rider Justin Barcia aced the second running of the ‘Monster Million’ – the world’s richest race – at the weekend.
 
The Monster Energy Cup, otherwise known as the ‘Monster Million’ for the massive payday promised to the rider able to win all three races on the night ran at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

Honda’s Justin Barcia buried the disappointment of his recent Motocross of Nations defeat by not only walking away as the second ever Monster Energy Cup Champion but also with $100,000 in his pocket. 2011 number one Ryna Villopoto was looking to repeat his clean sweep of the supercross-motocross hybrid stadium event and grasp the ‘Monster Million’ bonus but after a first moto win crashed out of the second and allowed Barcia and fellow Honda CRF450R rider Eli Tomac to capture the remaining chequered flags at the Sam Boyd.

Barcia sealed the overall in what was his first competitive ride on the 450 with KTM’s Ryan Dungey in second and Tomac third. Dungey’s evening was not without drama as two incidents in the first two sprints that bent his gear lever left the American trying to shift with his hand as he negotiated 40ft high jumps.

After the fireworks and light shows there was some bright news for the UK as Brit Paul Coates – one of the only Europeans mixing it with the Americans – scored a decent third position in the Amateur class.