Defending World Supercross champion Eli Tomac made an immediate impact on his new KTM machine, overcoming a technical track and mounting pressure from Ken Roczen to claim an impressive win in Vancouver.

Eli Tomac got his KTM career off to a flying start with an impressive victory in the World Supercross Canadian GP. Tomac, who chose the World Supercross Championship to make his debut with the Austrian manufacturer after cutting ties with Yamaha, wasted no time in impressing on his new machinery.

The 33-year-old came into the Canadian GP as defending World Supercross World Champion and underlined his class with a fine display and already looks at home on his new bike. The 33-year-old was cheered on by the crowd at Vancouver’s BC Place, but he was pressed hard by Ken Roczen and Jason Anderson.

“It is an exciting time for us," Tomac said. "This is the perfect start for us; myself, Red Bull, and KTM. I had a good battle out there; it was a treacherous track but also technical enough to make up time. It was a great weekend for us and I had a great time in Vancouver.”

Roczen admitted he made mistakes in the Main Race that prevented him from battling Tomac for the top spot. Having won in Argentina, a lose in Canada wasn't fun and he felt like an idiot.

“My speed and fitness were good." Roczen said. "I was just being an idiot. I kept on jumping the whoops when I should have kept on skimming. But it was a battle, and I was able to reel him in a little bit at the end, but it was good racing and I was really happy with how I raced and to get second.”

Jason Anderson took third place on only his second race for Pipes Motorsport Group, riding a Suzuki. “At the beginning of the day, I was pretty far off the pace. I am still getting the hang of the motorcycle; I just wanted to keep the ball rolling.”

Max Anstie delivered another flawless performance, repeating his Argentine heroics with Superpole and three race wins in the Canadian GP to strengthen his bid for the world crown.

Anstie completed another clean sweep, just as he had done in Argentina the previous weekend. The British rider took the Superpole and won all three races in what was another perfect evening for the Team GSM by Star Racing Yamaha rider. The 32-year-old now has a 16-point lead in the championship after two rounds and is in a commanding position to win back the world crown.

He said: “It was a lot of fun, I did enough to execute it well. This week I have even felt pretty sick. I lost my voice and we have to deal with these things, but it is about executing things perfectly and I am pleased with myself because it was a difficult track. Fighting for another world title means a lot and I am looking forward to the next round in Australia.”

Meanwhile, Rick Ware Racing’s Coty Schock took second place in all three races and improved on his results in Buenos Aires. Schock is now second in the championship and the experienced rider says he was trying to hunt down Anstie while keeping it clean.

He said: “I was just trying to catch every lap. I knew Max was going to be consistent and it would be difficult to catch him and I was not close enough to make a pass. But I am not a dirty rider, and neither is Max. I don’t want to have that kind of series where it is a free-for-all and you take each other out. I want to race with respect. We kept it clean but he was just too good in the whoops and I need to figure out the settings but there is definite progress today.”

Enzo Lopes completed the podium and stood dressed in a Brazilian flag. He added: “I wanted to turn it around from Argentina and it felt like a fight, and I want to go to Australia and do well. I feel like I am still adapting [to the SX2 bike]. I think the 450 suited my style and I am used to the power. I am still adapting but the next ride should be better.”

Justin Cooper threw down the gauntlet in Vancouver with a stunning ride to snatch Superpole, while Max Anstie again led the SX2 class. Justin Cooper took Superpole in the SX1 class as he beat fellow big guns Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen.

This contest was being billed as defending champion Tomac versus former world champ Roczen, who dominated in Round 1, winning all three races. But it was Cooper who excelled in tricky conditions, as the track at BC Place started to break up.

He said: “The track was really beat up, but I had to stay consistent, keep momentum, and survive. I am trying to spice it up as a wildcard against two multi-time champions. I am trying to keep up with them and give them a run for third money.”

Cooper was 0.753 sec ahead of Tomac, who was making his debut on a KTM. The American had looked strong in practice but could not set a time that was quick enough to beat Cooper. Tomac was second and got his second gate pick, while Joey Savatgy was third for Quad Lock Honda.

Roczen, who came into the round as championship leader, had to settle for fourth in what is shaping up to be an epic battle for the winner of the round.

In the 250cc SX2 class, Max Anstie again took Superpole, just as he had done in the Buenos Aires City GP. Anstie was in a class of his own in Argentina and again was unstoppable in the top-four shootout with a time of 57.335. The Team GSM powered by Star Racing Yamaha rider said: “It was tough for Superpole on the track.

“You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and the goal was to be better than last week. This world championship mean a lot to me, and I am excited to be here.”

Anstie crossed the line ahead of Rick Ware Racing duo, City Schock and Enzo Lopes, who were second and third, respectively. Cullin Park, who picked up a penalty in Buenos Aires for breaching sound levels on his MotoConcepts Racing Honda, was fourth quickest.

WSX Vancouver - Results

SX1 Sprint Race 1

1. Eli Tomac (USA, KTM),

2. Jason Anderson (USA, SUZ), +1.849

3. Ken Roczen (GER, SUZ), +2.730

4. Christian Craig (USA, HON), +4.721

5. Justin Cooper (USA, YAM), +5.476

6. Joey Savatgy (USA, HON), +8.920

7. Henry Miller (USA, YAM), +22.293

8. Gregory Aranda (FRA, YAM), +24.449

9. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, STA), +25.890

10. Vince Friese (USA, STA), +26.176

11. Jordi Tixier (FRA, YAM), +26.744

12. Ryan Breece (USA, HON), +28.967

13. Justin Hill (USA, KAW), +33.265

14. Devin Simonson (USA, YAM), +37.222

15. Austin Politelli (USA, HON), +7 Rnd.

SX1 Sprint Race 2

1. Ken Roczen (GER, SUZ),

2. Eli Tomac (USA, KTM), +1.948

3. Jason Anderson (USA, SUZ), +10.782

4. Joey Savatgy (USA, HON), +11.524

5. Christian Craig (USA, HON), +15.597

6. Austin Politelli (USA, HON), +27.375

7. Gregory Aranda (FRA, YAM), +32.287

8. Jordi Tixier (FRA, YAM), +33.595

9. Justin Hill (USA, KAW), +34.901

10. Henry Miller (USA, YAM), +35.565

11. Vince Friese (USA, STA), +39.887

12. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, STA), +43.364

13. Devin Simonson (USA, YAM), +48.181

14. Ryan Breece (USA, HON), +53.614

15. Justin Cooper (USA, YAM), +1:11.491

Main Event SX1

1. Eli Tomac (USA, KTM),

2. Ken Roczen (GER, SUZ), +2.449

3. Justin Cooper (USA, YAM), +15.388

4. Jason Anderson (USA, SUZ), +17.024

5. Christian Craig (USA, HON), +18.261

6. Joey Savatgy (USA, HON), +18.651

7. Henry Miller (USA, YAM), +32.386

8. Austin Politelli (USA, HON), +40.410

9. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, STA), +4.113

10. Gregory Aranda (FRA, YAM), +47.683

11. Justin Hill (USA, KAW), +49.813

12. Vince Friese (USA, STA), +55.383

13. Jordi Tixier (FRA, YAM), +55.616

14. Ryan Breece (USA, HON), +1 Rnd.

DQ Devin Simonson (USA, YAM)

SX2 Sprint Race 1

1. Max Anstie (GBR, YAM),

2. Coty Schock (USA, YAM), +3.701

3. Enzo Lopes (BRA, YAM), +4.455

4. Cole Thompson (CAN, KAW), +10.536

5. Cullin Park (USA, HON), +10.552

6. Michael Hicks (USA, STA), +10.582

7. Shane McElrath (USA, HON), +12.289

8. Kyle Peters (USA, KAW), +13.125

9. Maxime Desprey (FRA, YAM), +17.531

10. Kyle Chisholm (USA, SUZ), +20.089

11. Lance Kobusch (USA, STA), +24.585

12. Wilson Todd (AUS, HON), +27.173

13. Noah Viney (CAN, HON), +31.338

14. Robbie Wageman (USA, SUZ), +2 Rnd.

SX2 Sprint Race 2

1. Max Anstie (GBR, YAM),

2. Coty Schock (USA, YAM), +2.372

3. Enzo Lopes (BRA, YAM), +5.305

4. Cullin Park (USA, HON), +9.495

5. Kyle Peters (USA, KAW), +11.804

6. Cole Thompson (CAN, KAW), +12.801

7. Michael Hicks (USA, STA), +13.362

8. Shane McElrath (USA, HON), +14.360

9. Kyle Chisholm (USA, SUZ), +22.101

10. Wilson Todd (AUS, HON), +23.868

11. Robbie Wageman (USA, SUZ), +24.310

12. Noah Viney (CAN, HON), +25.226

13. Lance Kobusch (USA, STA), +27.405

14. Maxime Desprey (FRA, YAM), +29.609

Main Event SX2

1. Max Anstie (GBR, YAM),

2. Coty Schock (USA, YAM), +3.834

3. Enzo Lopes (BRA, YAM), +6.768

4. Cullin Park (USA, HON), +9.110

5. Kyle Peters (USA, KAW), +10.543

6. Shane McElrath (USA, HON), +11.526

7. Michael Hicks (USA, STA), +12.607

8. Cole Thompson (CAN, KAW), +21.411

9. Robbie Wageman (USA, SUZ), +24.081

10. Lance Kobusch (USA, STA), +29.375

11. Maxime Desprey (FRA, YAM), +32.166

12. Wilson Todd (AUS, HON), +36.524

13. Noah Viney (CAN, HON), +38.947

14. Kyle Chisholm (USA, SUZ), +6 Rnd.