Brea, CA – (June 8, 2026) – The Hangtown Motocross Classic in Rancho Cordova, California served as Round 2 of the AMA Pro Motocross Season and also paid points as Round 19 of the SMX World Championship. The hillside track hosted minor layout changes, yet the soil lived up to the track’s reputation of developing fierce, choppy bumps. The weather was mild throughout the racing, a welcomed change from the previous year’s heatwave.
Race Highlights:
- Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Colt Nichols improved throughout the day and delivered his season-best result in Moto 2.
Colt Nichols (45) got better as the track got worse, posting a top-five time through Sector 4 when the Hangtown track was at its most challenging.
Colt Nichols (45) fought for speed and fast lines early in the day when the soil was soft and holding good moisture. In the opening moto, Nichols was a rider on the move. Over the 30-minute-plus-one-lap race, Nichols gained eight positions from his spot crossing the holeshot stripe. After a couple of chaotic opening laps, Nichols started a steady climb forward throughout the moto. Moto 2 saw Nichols with a much better start; he crossed the holeshot stripe in 14th out of the 40-rider field. With the bumps at their worst and the corner ruts at their most challenging, Nichols picked up speed relative to his competition. Nichols set the fourth-fastest time through Sector 4 and laid down a blistering second-fastest time through the track’s uphill rollers. Nichols added points to his Motocross season as well as toward his SMX World Championship standings.
“It was another tough day in the office,” said Nichols. “Honestly, I struggled all day, starting from qualifying and through the first moto. I rode better in Moto 2 once the track slowed down and got a little more technical. This is not at all what I was looking for at these first two rounds, but it was a learning experience nonetheless.”
“It was a trying day at Hangtown, Round 2 of the Pro Motocross season,” stated Dustin Pipes, Team Principal for Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance. “We didn’t really hit our marks until Moto 2, with Colt crossing the line to finish 16th. It was his best ride of the day, but we need to figure out how to get him in that position and build from there earlier in the day.”
The Suzuki team members have their eyes on select AMA Pro Motocross races and after that on the SMX World Championship Playoffs and Final. Suzuki’s Ken Roczen will contend for the title as the reigning Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion.
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About Suzuki
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
