Did you catch the chaos on the shores of Lake Erie this past weekend? Round 14 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship was a total mudder, as the weather at Huntington Bank Field was absolutely brutal. Heavy winds and rain turned the track into a slippery mess.
This Cleveland Supercross Recap follows the Dirt Legal DBDRacing WMR KTM team through a weekend of highs and lows.
The Triple Crown format is always a test of survival. This format takes the top 18 riders from qualifying straight to the main events, which means zero room for error when the clock is ticking.
After securing the best results of the season yet in Nashville, our team arrived with a lean roster, as Jaxen Driskell and Anthony Rodriguez were both out due to injuries. That left the heavy lifting to Marcus Phelps and Jace Kessler. These guys had to face a technical track that was biting back all day.
Marcus Phelps Finds His Flow in the Mud
Marcus Phelps showed everyone that staying smooth is the fastest way through the slop. He hit the track early and found his rhythm right away.
During the first qualifying session, Marcus put down a heater and grabbed 13th place on a fresh track. But he didn’t stop there, shaving even more time off during his second session.
This solid performance meant he bypassed the LCQ entirely and went straight into the Triple Crown mains without the extra stress.
The main events were a wild ride for the #14 rider, who struggled with arm pump in the first race and finished 20th. However, he bounced back for the second Main, ripped a top-10 start, and fought hard to finish 13th.
In the final race, Marcus was flying in 6th place, actually hunting down the leaders before the track bit him. He caught some wheel spin on a jump face and went for a wild ride. But, even after the crash, he got back up and finished the race.
That kind of heart is why we love this sport.
Jace Kessler Shows Massive Heart After a Huge Crash
Jace Kessler came into Cleveland feeling good after a strong run in Nashville. But the Cleveland dirt had other plans.
He spent the first session trying to find a line that worked, as the track was changing every single lap because of the rain. Jace finally found his pace in the second session, sitting inside the top 18, and looked ready for the mains. Then disaster struck: a violent crash ended his momentum and sent him to the LCQ.
Despite the pain, Jace lined up for the RMATV Privateer Challenge, where a $1,000 prize was waiting on the line for the winner.
He got a great start and rode like a warrior. But the adrenaline could only do so much for his battered body. So, he crossed the line in 7th place, with a gutsy performance that proved he is one of the toughest guys on the track.
Packing the Trailer for the Philadelphia Push
Cleveland was a reminder that racing is rarely easy and never predictable. The team dealt with a shortened roster and weather that would make most people stay in the garage, yet Phelps walked away with his best qualifying effort of the year, and Kessler proved he’s as tough as they come.
The trailers are packed and the tools are stowed. We are heading to Philadelphia to do it all over again.
Why Dirt Legal Supports the Grind
Cleveland was a reminder that racing is never easy. It takes grit to show up when the weather is tough and the bike is sideways. The team dealt with a short roster and a brutal track. Yet, Phelps walked away with his best qualifying effort yet.
That’s why Dirt Legal is proud to be the title sponsor of this crew. Our roots are planted deep in the dirt bike world.
We started this company because we are riders too, and we wanted the freedom to ride our bikes on the trails and the pavement.
Turn Your Dirt Bike into a Street Machine
Watching the boys rip in Cleveland probably makes you want to get out and ride, but hauling a bike to the track every time is a huge headache, and the complex paperwork required to get a license plate for a dirt bike can be a total nightmare.
Most people think it’s just so difficult to make it happen that they just give up and embrace the “For off-road use only” sticker.
That’s where we come in. You don’t have to deal with the runaround from state offices anymore. We can help you get a title and a license plate for your dirt bike, off-roader, or any other vehicle that rides on land, water, or skies, by handling all the confusing forms while you stay home.
Our team knows the state rules inside and out, making the process easy so you can spend more time in the dirt.
We can even help you save money, as the Montana LLC method has $0 sales tax.
Forget about the stress of the local office. We ship your plates in as little as 1 day, and temp tags are issued the same day, so you can hit the road fast.
Are you ready to stop trailering your bike and start riding it everywhere?
Register your dirt bike with Dirt Legal today and get the freedom you deserve.
