Tom Vialle (KTM): Now the favorite for the US / US Supercross Lites East title

Tom Vialle finished third behind Jo Shimoda (Honda) and winner RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) in the chaotic 250cc final of the East-West Shootout in Nashville on Saturday night. Two-time MX2 world champion Vialle also benefited from the misfortune of his title rival Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki), who was left without points after a crash.

McAdoo had already suffered a shoulder injury in the opening act. The result: Ahead of the final two events of the East Coast series, two-time MX2 world champion Vialle is now suddenly 13 points clear of chaser Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) – and McAdoo is even 16 points ahead.

Frederic Vialle’s son knows exciting season finales. In 2022, he won a fierce battle against Belgian Jago Geerts (Yamaha) in the final meters of the MX2 World Championship in Turkey. The Frenchman seemed to have very strong nerves. The 23-year-old’s form is also currently good – Vialle was fastest in qualifying in Nashville. “Third place in the finals and the winner of the Eastern bracket was really good for me,” Vialle says happily.

Vialle also used his experience in Nashville: “I tried to focus on my race and have a good pace. The track was slippery, so you had to pay close attention. It really worked for me this time. I felt that my performance was good throughout the race day.”

Outwardly, the Frenchman from Avignon is now very relaxed. One thing is clear: rivals Deegan and McAdoo are under pressure. Vialle: “Now there are two more races to go – so we’re nearing the end. I’m looking forward to the next two races.”

The US Supercross Series continues next Saturday in Philadelphia.

Results 250 SX E/W Nashville:

1. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna (W)
2. Jo Shimoda (J), Honda, (W)
3. Tom Vialle (F), KTM, (E)
4. Jordon Smith (USA), Yamaha (W)
5. Jalek Swoll (USA), Triumph (E)
6. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha (E)
7. Max Anstie (GB), Honda, (E)
8. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, (E)
9. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, (W)
10. Phil Nicoletti (USA), Yamaha (W)
….
14. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, (W)
…
22. (DNF) Cameron McAdoo (USA), Kawasaki (E)

250 SX East championship standings after Event 7:

1. Tom Vialle (F), KTM, 136 points
2. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha, 123, (-13)
3. Cameron McAdoo (USA), Kawasaki, 120, (-16)
4. Pierce Brown (USA), GASGAS, 116, (-20)
5. Coty Schock (USA), Yamaha, 105, (-31)
6. Max Anstie (GB), Honda, 94, (-42)
7. Jalek Swoll (USA), Triumph, 89, (-47)
8. Daxton Bennick (USA), Yamaha, 88, (-48)
9. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 84, (-52)
10. Henry Miller (USA), Honda, 74, (-62)
11. Seth Hammaker (USA), Kawasaki, 72, (-64)
…
38. Dominique Thury (D), Kawasaki, 2, (-134)

250 West Championship Standings after Event 8:

1. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna, 166 Points
2. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 164, (-2)
3. Jordon Smith (USA), Yamaha, 148, (-18)
4. Jo Shimoda (J), Honda, 138, (-28)
5. Garrett Marchbanks (USA), Yamaha, 121, (-45)
6. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 106, (-60)
7. Anthony Bourdon (F), Suzuki, 96, (-70)
8. Nate Thrasher (USA), Yamaha, 89 (-77)
9. Carson Mumford (USA), Honda, 88, (-78)
10. Phil Nicoletti (USA), Yamaha, 77, (89)