Qualifying second, Ferrandis opted for the inside gate pick and got off to a flying start to grab the holeshot. The Frenchman then set a blistering pace to leave the competition in the dust, crossing the finish with a 26-second lead. It was a complete reversal of fortune in the second moto, but equally impressive. Ferrandis got caught up in a first-turn pileup with his teammate McElrath and found himself on the ground in last place. The back-to-back 250SX West Champion made it look easy as he deftly made his way through to 10th before the halfway mark. With two laps to go, he made his move into third, passing two riders to get that final podium spot in the moto for third overall. Ferrandis’ efforts helped protect his points lead to four points going into the doubleheader next week at RedBud.
Cooper has been working his way back from a hand injury during the break and hasn’t had the testing time on the bike he was hoping for to prepare for the Outdoor season. In the first Moto, he got a decent start in sixth but ultimately crossed the line in eighth. He and the team made some changes for the second moto and it paid off. Cooper got off to a great start in second and was able to build a comfortable gap to maintain that position to the checkered flag and end the day fourth overall, his best result so far this season.
McElrath also made progress and started the day as the fastest qualifier. Unfortunately, when the gate dropped he got caught up in the pack and found himself back in 11th. The North Carolinian worked his way up to the top five with around seven minutes to go, but ultimately was passed in the final laps of the race and finished sixth. The pile-up at the start of the second moto made for an even tougher day in 29th. Still, McElrath kept pushing and worked his way all the back to 10th to salvage some points with seventh overall.
The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team heads to Buchanan, Michigan for a RedBud National doubleheader during Labor Day weekend on Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7.
