Nashville Supercross Report: Ferrandis Shines Amidst Competitive 450 Field
The 2023 Nashville Supercross demonstrated the growing depth of the 450 class, with several riders returning from injuries and others overcoming early-season challenges. The competition is intensifying as riders fine-tune their machines for peak performance.
Race Highlights:
Dylan Ferrandis of the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team and Justin Hill from Team Tedder Monster Energy each delivered standout performances, marking their best results of the season. Both riders were in contention for podium finishes, underscoring the heightened competitiveness this late in the season.
Ferrandis conveyed a notable turnaround following a series of lackluster performances, including a challenging outing at the previous race in Daytona. “Last week was one of my worst races of the season. I felt terrible,” Ferrandis stated. After a comprehensive testing session in Florida, he expressed newfound confidence in his set-up. “We figured out the bike and improved it so much; it’s the best it’s been all season. I felt so comfortable today,” he added.
Technical Insights:
The recent adaptation of a new Akrapovic exhaust system has been pivotal for the Ducati squad. This component significantly altered the bike’s power delivery, allowing for effective adjustments in gearing and overall chassis setup. Ferrandis explained, “The exhaust changed the power of the bike and allowed us to change the chassis. However, we realized we went wrong on the chassis change.”
Despite setbacks, including injuries and a challenging track layout in Detroit, Ferrandis and his team are confident that they have the right combination dialed in at last.
Rider Updates:
Malcolm Stewart recently claimed a podium finish at Detroit following a comeback from injury, and Chase Sexton also returned to the front with a strong performance, securing a fourth place in Nashville. Jorge Prado, who has quickly adapted despite early-season injuries, continues to impress with his supercross skills. Justin Cooper’s resurgence was illustrated by a runner-up finish in St. Louis, while Garrett Marchbanks is consistently entering the top ten in his rookie season. Ken Roczen and Cooper Webb remain driven to reclaim their previous form.
As the season progresses, the heightened talent pool and technical developments promise an exhilarating series of races ahead.
