2021 UNADILLA NATIONAL PRE-RACE REPORT: 450 MOTO 2 TO BE SHOWN LIVE ON PREMIER NBC CHANNEL

2021 UNADILLA NATIONAL PRE-RACE REPORT: 450 MOTO 2 TO BE SHOWN LIVE ON NBC

After three weeks off, the Pro Motocross series is ready to kick off again at the 2021 Unadilla National. Typically, first motos are shown on MAVTV and second motos are on the NBC Sports Network. But, this Saturday, August 14th, the 450 class will be getting some big-time exposure on the premier channel. Sadly, if you don’t have the Peacock premium online streaming service, you’ll need to wait until 7:00 p.m. Pacific time to watch 250 moto 2 on the NBC Sports Network.

Unadilla marks Round 8 in the Outdoor National Championship and it begins a five-weekend streak of racing that is set to cap off the season at Hangtown on September, 11. The Unadilla National is always a challenging one for the riders as the track consists of rolling hills, off-camber corners, big jumps, big ruts and a sharp 90-degree right handed first turn. Star Racing Yamaha holds the points lead in both 250 and 450 classes with Dylan Ferrandis and Justin Cooper. The HRC Honda team holds second in both divisions with Ken Roczen and Jett Lawrence. See below for the current injured list, updated point standings, TV schedule and race day schedule.

2021 UNADILLA NATIONAL | FULL COVERAGE

2021 UNADILLA NATIONAL TV SCHEDULE

The TV schedule for the Unadilla National is unique, the 450s will go first this time to fit into their Moto 2 time-slot on NBC.

CAN KEN ROCZEN TIGHTEN UP THE 47-POINT GAP?

Ken Roczen through the whoops at Round 7 in Washougal, Washington. 

Ken Roczen has been impressive this year. When most people doubted his fitness and stamina coming into Outdoors, he was able to do much better than his 2021 Supercross rivals, Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac. Unfortunately, a crash in the first turn at Spring Creek caused a DNF in the first moto and put a huge damper on things, even though he won the second moto. He’s still second in points, but he has a long way to go to catch Ferrandis. Ken had issues at Washougal because he came into the race under the weather and he explained that he was low on energy. Hopefully the three-week break helped Kenny.

IS ELI TOMAC READY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON?

Eli Tomac went 2-2 three weeks ago at Round 7.

Eli Tomac came on strong in the second moto at Washougal to pass Chase Sexton and catch Dylan Ferrandis, but he didn’t have enough time to get around the French rider. He finished second in the moto, but was happy with his effort and was adored by the Washougal fans on the podium. They cheered extra loud for Tomac and even chanted, “Yamaha, Yamaha, Yamaha.”

SETH HAMMAKER RETURNS TO RACING 

Seth Hammaker is healthy again and set to make a return on his Pro Circuit Kawasaki this Saturday in the 250 class.

THE UNADILLA TRACK

Unadilla is one of the most iconic tracks on the current AMA National circuit. The layout travels up and down the rolling hills constantly with off-camber turns and the ultra sharp U-turn section. It gets very rough and the soil is fairly hard which creates big ruts and painful roost. 

Unadilla Motocross began racing in 1969 after its founder, Ward Robinson, fell in love with dirt bike racing after seeing a hare scrambles event. Since its beginnings, Unadilla has hosted Trans-AMA (1970-1978), Trans-USA (1979-1981), the 250cc USGP (1978-1992), and the first ever MX des Nations in the United States (1987), and a round of the US Nationals since 1989.

INJURED LIST:

JUSTIN BARCIA | INJURED

Justin Barcia, Round 6 winner, crashed last week during a routine practice session. His doctor advised taking this week off before being re-assessed for future races. No word from GasGas on the extent of his injuries

MICHAEL MOSIMAN | INJURED

Michael Mosiman crashed while training on Monday before the Unadilla National and will miss this weekend’s race.

COLT NICHOLS | INJURED SHOULDER

Colt Nichols will also miss Unadilla. He posted via instagram: “Hey guys, I was able to get back on the bike this week and give the shoulder a test. Unfortunately, it just isn’t strong enough and we’re going to have to sit Unadilla out this weekend. Not the news I was hoping to give, but going to keep working with the plan of returning at Budds Creek”

ADAM CIANCIARULO | INJURED ARM

Adam Cianciarulo has struggled with a nerve issue in his arm. Originally he planned to get it fixed when the 2021 Pro Motocross season was over, but after Spring Creek, he decided to go under the knife to get it fixed and he will miss the remainder of the season. 

ZACH OSBORNE | INJURED BACK

Zach Osborne re-aggravated the back injury he sustained while training during the Supercross season at the Thunder Valley National and he is out for the summer. 

JASON ANDERSON | BROKEN HAND

A bad get-off in practice would result in a broken hand for Anderson. It is uncertain when or if Jason will be back.

PHIL NICOLETTI | KNEE SURGERY

Phil Nicoletti recently had a full ACL reconstruction in his knee. He is out for the season. 

CAMERON MCADOO | FRACTURED TIBIA

Cameron McAdoo was decommissioned after a very unfortunate crash during the second moto at Fox Raceway, fracturing the top of his tibia and pulling his ACL. Cameron has already had surgery and begun the healing and therapy process. He’s out for the season. 

450 POINT STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 7 OF 12

Dylan Ferrandis holds a hefty 47-point lead in his rookie 450 Outdoor season.

POS.	#	NAME	POINTS
1	14	Dylan Ferrandis	303
2	94	Ken Roczen	256
3	3	Eli Tomac	249
4	51	Justin Barcia	239
5	23	Chase Sexton	238
6	7	Aaron Plessinger	217
7	29	Christian Craig	182
8	25	Marvin Musquin	177
9	2	Cooper Webb	177
10	9	Adam Cianciarulo	147

Ken Roczen sits second in the 450 point standings.

250 POINT STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 7 OF 12

Justin Cooper won the second moto at Washougal and he retains the 250 points lead going into Round 8.

POS.	#	NAME	POINTS
1	32	Justin Cooper	281
2	18	Jett Lawrence	273
3	41	Hunter Lawrence	237
4	6	Jeremy Martin	220
5	24	RJ Hampshire	205
6	30	Jo Shimoda	178
7	64	Colt Nichols	172
8	42	Michael Mosiman	154
9	47	Jalek  Swoll	148
10	48	Garrett Marchbanks	141

Jett Lawrence is second in the standings, 8-points back.

2021 UNADILLA NATIONAL | FULL COVERAGE