Smartop Bullfrog Spas Honda: Houston 1 team report ft. Friese, Tickle and Bloss
By Press Release on 19th Jan 21
AMA Supercross Vince Friese Benny Bloss Broc Tickle Houston
Smartop/Bullfrog Spas/Honda started 2021 with a respectable performance at the Houston One Supercross, the opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series, and one of three events set to at NRG Stadium over the course of seven days.
Broc Tickle, Vince Friese, and Benny Bloss faced their share of challenges throughout the day, from first race nerves to run-ins with other riders. Tickle and Friese finished 16th and 17th, respectively, in the 450SX Main Event, while incidents in the Heat Race and LCQ brought the night to an early end for Bloss.
Vince Friese is known for his determination and consistency, two traits he displayed during the opening round. The only MCR team rider aboard the all-new 2021 Honda CRF450R, Friese was 15th-fastest in Timed Qualifying and finished 450 Heat Race Two in seventh place.
An excellent start in the 450 Main Event had Friese in the top-10, but a run-in with Eli Tomac early in the race put both riders on the ground.
Although Friese quickly remounted his motorcycle and rejoined the race, his results were further hindered by a second separate incident with Tomac; Friese ended the race in 16th place.
"Round one wasn't great, but it wasn't bad," shared Friese. "I had a great start in the Main Event but got tangled up with Eli, and the race went downhill from there.
"It's not what I wanted, but it's something to build from, and we have another race on Tuesday."
Broc Tickle was one of 14 AMA Pro Racing champions in the 450 Main Event's starting lineup, which indicates this year's competitiveness. Although Tickle's standing was steady throughout the day, reflected by an 18th place overall rank in Timed Qualifying, a ninth-place ride in 450 Heat Race One, and a 17th place finish in the 450 Main Event, the rider and team noted improvement in every session.
"My night was tough, but there were a lot of positives to take from it," Tickle noted. "I felt decent on the bike, and we know what to work on.
"The class is gnarly, and there are a lot of accomplished guys in the field, but it's about focusing on yourself. And that's the goal for me as we head into the next race."
Benny Bloss had the toughest go of the group, as a 20th place rank in Timed Qualifying set him up poorly for the night's race. The situation was made worse by a trio of crashes, one during the final laps of 450 Heat Race One that dropped him out of a transfer position, and two more during 450 LCQ, which kept him from advancing to the 450 Main Event.
Uninjured and undeterred, Bloss will be back on the starting line on Tuesday.
"I struggled a bit throughout the day, but started to feel better during the 450 Heat Race but crashed on the last lap. In the LCQ, I got into a Tuff Block on the first lap, got up in dead last, and then crashed again," Bloss recounted of the race.
"It's not where I wanted to start, but we have 16 more races and will be able to do it again on Tuesday."
Shane McElrath was absent from the season opener due to a shoulder injury, but he will make his 450 Class debut with the team in the coming weeks.
The 2021 Monster Energy Supercross Series continues on tonight (January 19) with the 2021 Houston 2 Supercross.
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