Sacha Coenen (KTM): Bittersweet victory, probable collarbone fracture!

Even before the start of the sixth round of the US Nationals in Southwick (Massachusetts), the first drama unfolded: Jo Shimoda (Honda), the leader in the 250cc championship, crashed during the second qualifying session and broke his collarbone, meaning the Red Plate holder was unable to compete in the races at all.

Sacha Coenen on pole

Belgian wildcard rider and MX2 World Championship leader Sacha Coenen (KTM) set the fastest lap time in qualifying on the sandy track, finishing more than half a second ahead of Cole Davies (Yamaha) in second place.

Combined qualifying

1. Sacha Coenen (B), KTM, 1:56.691

2. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, +0.567

3. Jake Cannon (AUS), Kawasaki, +1.754

4. Larry Fortin (USA), KTM, +1.755

5. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, +1.839

Race 1: Sacha Coenen was constantly pushing the limits

The start of the first race was somewhat chaotic. Sacha Coenen was the first to enter the bend, but even there he only just managed to avoid a near-crash. Cole Davies (Yamaha) capitalised on this mistake and initially took the lead, but Sacha remained ‘on fire’, took a jump in kamikaze style that was far too long, landed flat out and was knocked about again. Yet the Belgian managed to hold on to his bike and recover, taking the lead. Shortly afterwards, he faltered twice more, but managed to avoid a crash on both occasions. Levi Kitchen also crashed early in the race and had to try to make up the ground he’d lost. After his crash, Kitchen fought his way back up to second place, whilst Cole Davies also crashed and dropped back to seventh. Sacha Coenen went on to win the first race comfortably, finishing 32 seconds ahead of Kitchen and Ryder Di Francesco (Husqvarna).

Race 2: Sacha Coenen wins despite a shoulder injury

In the second race, Sacha Coenen started among the top four. Cole Davies took the holeshot. Still on the first lap, Sacha Coenen overtook Ryder Di Francesco to move into third place; he then overtook Levi Kitchen and, although he found himself in serious danger of crashing on several occasions, he managed to catch Cole Davies, take the lead and pull 15 seconds clear of the New Zealander. Three minutes before the finish line, he took a downhill jump too far, landed in a hollow and was thrown over the handlebars. He is thought to have broken his collarbone in this crash. Battered and without goggles, he held on to his lead across the finish line and won the Southwick National with a one-two finish, albeit with a broken shoulder.

Change at the top of the standings

Following Jo Shimoda’s collarbone fracture, Cole Davies – who finished the day at Southwick in third place in the day’s standings with a 7-2 result – has now taken the lead in the overall standings. However, his lead over Levi Kitchen in second place is just two points. Next week (18 July), the action continues in Millville (Spring Creek) with the seventh round of the US Nationals.

Southwick 250 results:

1. Sacha Coenen (B), KTM, 1-1, 50 points

2. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 2-4, 40, (-10)

3. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 7-2, 36, (-14)

4. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 6-3, 35, (-15)

5. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 4-5, 34, (-16)

6. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 5-7, 30, (-20)

7. Nate Thrasher (USA), Yamaha, 11-6, 25, (-25)

8. Francisco Garcia (E), Kawasaki, 9-8, 25, (-25)

9. Carson Mumford (USA), KTM, 10–11, 21, (-29)

10. Michael Mosiman (USA), Yamaha, 12-12, 18, (-32)

250 standings after round 6 of 11:

1. Cole Davies (NZL), 227 points

2. Levi Kitchen (USA), 225, (-2)

3. Jo Shimoda (J), 194, (-33)

4. Julien Beaumer (USA), 194, (-33)

5. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), 167, (-60)

6. Kayden Minear (AUS), 163, (-64)

7. Chance Hymas (USA), 152, (-75)

8. Seth Hammaker (USA), 134, (-93)

9. Carson Mumford (USA), 122, (-105)

10. Nick Romano (USA), 116, (-111)