WSX hots up with wild Swedish GP
By Team TMX on 10th Dec 25
Jason Anderson reignited his FIM Supercross World Championship challenge with a decisive victory at the Swedish GP, delivering a standout performance in Stockholm to take a vital win in the fourth round of the series.
The Pipes Motorsport Group rider arrived in Sweden under pressure, having struggled to convert early-season potential into victories. After the Australian GP, Anderson returned to Florida for an intensive two-day testing session on his Suzuki in search of a more competitive set-up. The changes paid off immediately.
Anderson claimed the second sprint race and then controlled the main event to secure the overall win on the night. However, he admitted that early in the programme he feared Joey Savatgy had the upper hand.
“All day I was floundering and thought Joey had me,” Anderson said. “Going into the last race, I knew I had to kick in and hit my marks and also send it at the same time. I got in front and I thought I was going to pull away, but Joey was on me all the way.”
Savatgy opened the event in dominant form, topping Superpole and winning the first sprint race to establish himself as the rider to beat. But a mistake in Race 2 proved costly, handing momentum to Anderson. Christian Craig’s error in the same race compounded Savatgy’s problems and shifted the tone of the evening.
Reflecting on the result, Savatgy said: “It is a little tricky; it looks brand new, but I might have played it a little too safe early in the moto. Ultimately, it was a positive day, but I just need to be a little better than that, and I will be happy.”
Craig endured a difficult night after crashing his Quad Lock Honda in the second race. He fell to 10th but fought back to fourth, despite nursing a sore leg.
“I struggled in the ruts, and the corner speed was not there,” Craig said. “These guys were on it; I wish I was a little closer and matched those guys. I had a fall in the second race, and it was fun to come through the pack.”
With only one round remaining in South Africa, the championship picture remains remarkably tight. Anderson, Savatgy, and Craig are split by just a single point, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown in the final event of the season.
Max Anstie strengthened his grip on the SX2 world championship with another overall victory at the Swedish GP, but the title fight will roll on to the final round after the British rider was denied a clean sweep in Stockholm.
Anstie arrived in Sweden unbeaten after dominant performances in Buenos Aires, Vancouver, and Australia. However, he encountered his toughest challenge of the season as Enzo Lopes and Michael Hicks disrupted his early-season rhythm.
The Team GSM by Star Racing Yamaha rider was edged out in Superpole by Lopes and, despite winning both sprint races, had to settle for second in the Main Race as Brazil’s Lopes delivered his strongest ride of the campaign.
Reflecting on a demanding evening, Anstie said: “Well, that was a tough one. Obviously, the first two races went very well. And that last one, man, it was hard with the ruts. I had a moment where my feet came off at one point and I twisted my ankle – twisted my legs – and I was like, ‘OK, I’m just bringing it home right now’. That was tricky. The track was tough, so I just focused on bringing it home, and I look forward to Cape Town next week.”
Race 1 produced one of the surprises of the night as Stark rider Michael Hicks stormed into an early lead and held the front for five laps. Having narrowly missed out on Superpole, Hicks looked poised to deliver a breakthrough win for the all-electric manufacturer.
But Anstie mounted a late charge, overhauling both Shane McElrath and Hicks in the closing stages to secure victory in a thrilling finish.
Race 2 proved more straightforward for the championship leader. Anstie launched out of the gate, built an immediate gap, and confidently skimmed the whoops while rivals opted to jump through them, underlining his control. He took a convincing win, with Lopes second and Hicks continuing his strong evening in third.
Lopes produced his best performance when it mattered most. With the Main Race offering the largest points haul, the Brazilian delivered an aggressive start, muscling his way to the front and maintaining the lead despite intense pressure from both Anstie and McElrath.
“I finally got a good start and it was not easy because Max and Shane were on me the whole race, especially the last turn,” Lopes said. “The win feels amazing and I want to thank everyone in Brazil watching.”
McElrath, who challenged Lopes right to the chequered flag, added: “It’s a little bittersweet. It’s been a tough year so far. We have been working. Last year, I just wanted to win and I feel like I should win, but we are still fighting. It is not super easy but I am learning and getting back.”
Anstie leaves Stockholm with an extended championship lead, but with Lopes’ Main Race win keeping the title mathematically alive, the SX2 crown will be decided in Cape Town.
