Cannon Continues Podium Streak as Craig Shows Determination in Colorado!

Colorado delivered everything it is famous for, altitude, elevation, passionate fans and great racing, as Quad Lock Honda continued its AMA Championship campaign with Charli Cannon and Christian Craig taking another step forward in their respective programs.

Entering Round 2 of the AMA WMX Championship and Round 3 of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, both riders arrived with confidence and a clear objective: continue building momentum.

For Cannon, the weekend started exactly as planned.

The Australian topped qualifying, setting the fastest lap and making it clear she had come to Colorado to challenge for the overall victory.

In Moto 1, Cannon quickly moved into the lead before settling into second position. Unfortunately, what appeared to be a straightforward race soon became far more challenging as she battled a technical issue for the majority of the moto.

“My rear brake started to fade and eventually I lost it altogether,” explained Cannon. “It was a simple fix, but disappointing because we weren’t expecting it. Everything had worked perfectly all morning. I don’t know exactly why it happened, but it definitely impacted my ability to push and fight for the win.”

Despite the setback, Cannon remained composed and secured second place.

Moto 2 showcased exactly why many consider her one of the fastest female motocross riders in the world.

Cannon led much of the race and looked capable of taking the victory before ultimately finishing second once again, securing 2-2 moto scores and second overall for the weekend.

While pleased with the result, Cannon was her own toughest critic.

“I should have won that race,” she said. “When I relaxed and focused on racing, my pace was really strong. That’s the positive I take away from the weekend. We know we have the speed, we know we have the bike and we know we can run at the front.

“I’ll take the 2-2 finishes, but I’ll also focus on the mistakes I’m making. I was a little too tight early in the motos and that’s something I need to improve. I love being here, I love racing against these girls and I’ll keep fighting.”

Team Principal Martin Davalos was encouraged by the continued progression.

“Charli has proven she belongs at the very front of this championship. We leave Colorado knowing we have the speed to win races and challenge for championships. There are still areas we can improve, but that’s exciting because she’s already incredibly competitive.”

For Christian Craig, Colorado presented another opportunity to continue rebuilding momentum as he works his way back to full race fitness and race sharpness.

After a solid qualifying session and a number of minor adjustments to accommodate the elevation and changing conditions, Craig felt confident heading into the motos.

“There were a few small things we wanted to improve and some changes we made because of the altitude,” said Craig. “The bike felt really comfortable and I felt ready to move forward.”

Moto 1 began with a difficult start, leaving Craig buried outside the top twenty. What followed was one of the strongest charges of the race as the former AMA 250 Champion sliced through the field, gaining more than eleven positions to finish ninth.

While satisfied with the ride, Craig knew there was more available.

“Almost half the riders I had to pass were factory riders,” he said. “I made life difficult for myself. The speed was there, but I let myself down with the start. If I put myself in a better position early, there’s no reason I can’t be much further up the field.”

Unfortunately, Moto 2 ended in disappointment after Craig suffered a heavy crash late in the race, resulting in a DNF.

“Moto 2 was a disaster,” Craig admitted. “The positive is that I’m okay. I hit the ground pretty hard and I’ll take a few days this week to recover and regroup.

“The reality is I keep putting myself in difficult situations with poor starts. Starts are easy to overlook during the week, but they’re critical. In the first 200 metres you can pass thirty-nine riders or have thirty-nine riders pass you. That’s an area I need to improve.”

Despite the setback, the team remains encouraged by Craig’s pace and determination.

“Christian’s speed is improving every weekend,” said Davalos. “The ninth in Moto 1 was impressive considering where he started. The crash in Moto 2 was unfortunate, but he walked away from it and that’s the most important thing. We know where we need to improve and we’ll keep working.”

The Quad Lock Honda team now turns its attention to High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, where both Cannon and Craig will look to continue their progression against some of the world’s best riders.

For more information, visit www.promotocross.com.