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Monster Energy Supercross 2018: Jason Anderson looks forward

By Brittany Frederick

Jason Anderson competes at Monster Energy Supercross Anaheim 1. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mullen Lowe.
Jason Anderson competes at Monster Energy Supercross Anaheim 1. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mullen Lowe. /
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Jason Anderson is the current Monster Energy Supercross points leader, and spoke to FanSided about what he’s looking for in the 2018 Supercross season.

Jason Anderson is off to a fast start in the new Monster Energy Supercross season. He’s coming off back-to-back wins at Anaheim 2 and Houston, after finishing a narrow second in the season opener Anaheim 1.

The strong early results have made Anderson the current leader in the standings for the 450SX class championship.

FanSided sat down with Jason Anderson in Anaheim to discuss what’s on his mind going into the 2018 Supercross season, and how he’s going to make himself a winner even when he may not win the race.

FanSided: What is Jason Anderson’s general outlook starting the 2018 Supercross season?

Jason Anderson (JA): I’m feeling good. I think this year’s going to be interesting. There’s a lot of unknowns with not having the champion here [in] Ryan [Dungey]. I think that top spot is kind of up for grabs, and there’s a lot of people with potential — riding-wise and skill-wise — that have the opportunity to take that number 1 plate. We’re all pretty hungry for it, so it’s going to be fun.

FanSided: Two of the first three races are in Anaheim. Does it help to start the season at a track where you’ve previously won?

JA: I guess so. But the layout’s always different; the dirt’s similar, the vibe’s similar, but other than that I don’t know [the track]. I think it’s anyone’s race all the time, and I think you’ve got to never underestimate anyone.

I do feel comfortable here in Anaheim and I’ve had a lot of good races here. It’s kind of weird because you come to a track and you say you’re comfortable in the place, but it’s always a different track. They change them every weekend. But I’m ready to go and I’m excited.

FanSided: You had a very strong 2017 campaign, so do you feel particularly confident going into 2018? Do you think you’ve found your groove, so to speak?

JA: 100 percent. Where I’m at right now, there’s no reason that I can’t be battling for wins every weekend. I do not think I’m going to be the fastest rider every weekend, but I think I have the skill to bring it around every weekend and put it on the box. If it’s a fight to be in the point chase when it comes to the last round, that’s my whole goal — to come to the last round and have a shot at winning the championship.

FanSided: How do you approach that, when you know you’re not the fastest on a weekend? We know you can’t win them all, so how do you get the most out of those nights?

JA: My whole deal is I want to be good enough to be battling for the win, to be on the podium. Obviously I know I’m going to have to win races. There are going to be those days where I’m going to be feeling better than I do most weekends. But even when I don’t feel that good, my whole goal is to turn those weekends into twos and threes, instead of sixes and twelves. That’s my whole outlook on it.

Next: Eli Tomac still chasing first Supercross title

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