Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s McElrath Endures Tough Track In Houston To Finish Just Off Podium

HOUSTON, TX – January 14, 2018 – (Motor Sports Newswire) –  Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Shane McElrath was the sole representative for the team at NRG Stadium for Round 2 of the Supercross season, finishing fourth in the Main Event on a deteriorating track. The conditions provided challenges, but McElrath kept it on two-wheels and left Houston just four points down in the Western Regional 250SX Championship. Teammate Alex Martin did not race in Houston and will be taking it week-by-week as he evaluates an injury sustained at Anaheim 1.

McElrath started the day as the second fastest qualifier of the 250SX class as the series made its return to Houston for the first time since 2015. Like he did at the opening round in Anaheim, McElrath raced to the heat race win aboard his KTM 250 SX-F. He grabbed a great start in the Main Event and raced with the front-runners before settling in and tackling the tough obstacles on the Houston track. When the checkered flag flew, McElrath earned fourth and moved to second in the championship standings.

“The track was very challenging as it changed every lap we rode,” said McElrath. “Lots of riders were having trouble so I wanted to make sure we kept it off the ground and stayed in the hunt. This is only the second race so we can’t throw it away with a track as tough as we saw tonight. I am really looking towards the long term goal as well as winning races, so we’ll be back strong next week.”

The KTM Junior Supercross Challenge dropped the gate for the first time in 2018 and it was all Danny Robertson. Despite Robertson’s dominance, the rest of the field was entertaining to watch and it was Jayden Struble and Easton Theys joining Robertson on the overall podium.

McElrath wore the GP Prisma Orange Jersey with Blue Mono Pant during practice before switching to the Streamline Orange and Navy Jersey and Orange Mono Pant for the Main Event. The racewear was accompanied by the SE4 Factory Helmet in Blue.

See all of the 2018 gear sets and the 2018 Moto Helmets online and at your local TLD retailer.

250SX Class Main Event Results – Houston, Texas

1. Aaron Plessinger (Yamaha)
2. Joey Savatgy (Kawasaki)
3. Chase Sexton (Honda)
4. Shane McElrath (KTM)
5. Christian Craig (Honda)
6. Mitchell Oldenburg (Yamaha)
7. Adam Cianciarulo (Kawasaki)
8. Bradley Taft (Yamaha)
9. Kyle Chisholm (Yamaha)
10. Justin Hill (Suzuki)

250SX Class Western Region Points Standings

1. Aaron Plessinger, Yamaha, 49
2. Shane McElrath, KTM, 45
3. Joey Savatgy, Kawasaki, 42
4. Adam Cianciarulo, Kawasaki, 37
5. Chase Sexton, Honda, 36
6. Christian Craig, Honda, 36
7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Yamaha, 34
8. Justin Hill, Suzuki, 29
9. Bradley Taft, Yamaha, 27
10. Kyle Chisholm, Yamaha, 27

KTM Junior Supercross Championship

1. Danny Robertson
2. Jayden Struble
3. Easton Theys
4. Phoenix Blanchette
5. Ethan Harwell
6. Bradley Hutwagner
7. Jameson Viator
8. Coen Abel
9. Cash Bollinger
10. Colby Vogel

About Troy Lee Designs

For over 30 years, Troy Lee has been customizing helmets “For The World’s Fastest Racers.” TLD’s relentless commitment to creating products that exceed the cutting edge of style, design and quality, has earned them the reputation as an innovator in many different fields of racing. Troy Lee Designs has since expanded into a full force operation, offering a complete line of helmets, apparel and premium protection for off-road motorcycling and bicycling, sportswear and accessories, and operating the TLD supercross and motocross teams. Based in Corona, California, Troy Lee Designs has a global network of distributors.

About KTM

“READY TO RACE” for KTM, these three words are far more than a simple slogan. They stand for the entire company philosophy of developing vehicles that can without any modifications comprehensively assert themselves in any race. Direct from the dealer onto the track and into the battle for victory. Designers, engineers and riders are bound by a clear common denominator: an unconditional passion for motorcycles. The whole KTM family is a living example of this worldwide. Countless offroad World and European championship titles plus brilliant victories in the world’s toughest races (International Six Days Enduro, Dakar Rally, Erzbergrodeo, and many more) all speak for themselves. And KTM Supermotos, Naked Bikes, Superbikes and the X-Bow all demonstrate what an “orange” lead means on asphalt.

Source: Troy Lee Designs

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