Tomac, Hampshire Set the Pace in Thunder Valley Qualifying

The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is back in the mile-high altitude of the greater Denver area for the landmark 15th running of the True Value Thunder Valley National, where the scenic mountainside track provides one of the most challenging rounds of the entire 2019 season.

The annual task of dialing in settings at the highest elevation of any professional motocross track in the world, at over 6,000 feet, has been ongoing throughout the morning hours as the fastest teams and riders on the planet took to the track. At the conclusion of two qualifying sessions a familiar name graced the top of the 450 Class time sheets, with Monster Energy Kawasaki's Eli Tomac making a big, early statement at his home race. The reigning back-to-back champ posted the fastest lap for the first time in 2019 with a blistering 2:02.527, more than 1.5 seconds faster than Team Honda HRC's Ken Roczen in second.

Over in the 250 Class, GEICO Honda's RJ Hampshire earned his first career number-one qualifying spot with a time of 2:04.774, which was attributed to a much-needed adjustment to the bike in between sessions. Hampshire was the only rider in the division to break into the 2:04 range, which put him three tenths ahead of Monster Energy/Star/Yamaha Racing's Dylan Ferrandis in second.