‘I have some work to do’ says Savatgy after Vancouver podium

Two-time FIM World Supercross vice champion, Joey Savatgy, has admitted that he “has some work to do” following the series’ season-opening WSX Canadian GP at BC Place in Vancouver.

Savatgy showed competitive pace to finish third overall in what was a gruelling evening of racing, marked by close action and ever-evolving track conditions which caught out countless riders on the WSX and SX2 grids.

In the WSX 450cc class, Savatgy raced with consistency throughout and placed third in SuperPole before going 3-2-3 across each GP Race and ended the night with fifth in the SuperFinal.

READ MORE: 2024 WSX Canadian GP WSX class results

“It was brutal,” said Savatgy post-race after claiming his third overall WSX podium and 12th GP Race top three finish in Vancouver.

“I had good points over the night, and I was consistent, but I was definitely off the pace. Obviously, Eli [Tomac] and Ken [Roczen] are the elite of the elite, so I have some work to do.”

Ahead of the 2024 season, Savatgy himself acknowledged that he expected a tough race in Vancouver, having to embed himself into a new team in Fire Power Honda, learn a new bike, and get back up to speed in 450cc competition, while also racing Supercross for the first time since 2023.

Despite being off the pace which was firmly set by Tomac and Roczen, the 30-year-old’s performance was impressive, especially when taking the context of his WSX return into account.

With this in mind, Savatgy himself admits that he has optimism for the next races of the 2024 season at HBF Park in Perth, Australia, and has his sights set on higher achievements.

“Considering I didn’t do any Supercross this year and that I was on a 250 all summer, I knew I’d have my work cut out for me, but the track just got really gnarly,” continued Savatgy.

“In the rhythm lane we were dragging pegs, and it was mentally taxing, just because you’re trying to focus and keep moving forwards, but it was just one of those tracks where the more you race it, the more challenging it gets.

“All in all, I’m happy with where we are, I know we need to test and do some work but considering that things came together last minute and we didn’t have a whole lot of time, I’m happy with where we started, and I know what we need to work on.”

With his results in Vancouver, Savatgy holds third in the WSX Riders’ Championship with 79 points, five points adrift of Roczen and 21 shy of Tomac who leads the way. His season will resume of 23-24 November with the double-header WSX Australian GP.