The 2019 Pro Motocross season got off to an interesting start with rain dampening much of the opening round. It at least held off for the opening moto and Cooper took full advantage of the decent weather, shooting out to the first holeshot of the season and leading every lap of the race. He fended off occasional pressure for the top spot and collected his first career moto win to start off the season strong. A tough start in Moto 2 proved an uphill battle for Cooper as the rain had started to come down, making it hard to pass. He used the whole race to make it up from ninth to finish fourth in Moto 2.
Nichols was able to tie to his career-best overall with a third at Hangtown. His effort in Moto 1 was solid, but his teammate Ferrandis passed him, pushing him back to fif. When the second moto started he was out with a vengeance, grabbing the holeshot and keeping the team’s holeshot streak intact. The Oklahoman kept pace at the front and was able to finish the race in third, giving him third overall.
Ferrandis came into the series on the high of his first U.S. championship. In Moto 1, it took some time for him to get into a pace - starting sixth - but once he got going, he was a force to be reckoned with. He used every minute of the race, making the pass for third on the final lap. Once the rain came down in Moto 2, Ferrandis looked comfortable out on the track. After running in fourth for most of the race, his clutch started to let go, deciding to play it safe the Frenchman nursed it home to fifth. His 3-5 placed him fourth overall.
Conditions made for an interesting debut for Masterpool, but he handled it like a true pro. In the opening moto, he started 14th at the conclusion of the opening lap and was able to move forward to 12th. Moto 2 proved to be a new challenge as rain poured down and had the rookie starting 17th. It was a matter of staying on two wheels, but Masterpool worked his way into 14th, scoring 14th overall.
The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team will head to Southern California for Round 2 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, lining up at Fox Raceway in Pala, California on Saturday, May 25.
