Relentless, dominant and dogged were all apt words to describe Dylan Ferrandis’ incredible 450 Pro Motocross title triumph in 2021. Words: Ed Stratmann
In a campaign that was filled with highlights, and one which saw him become just the eighth rider in history to reign victorious in his first season in the AMA’s premier category and the second Frenchman to win a premier class Pro Motocross crown while also giving Yamaha its first 450 Class championship since 2007, there was no stopping the irrepressible maestro.
Winning a remarkable six overalls, finishing on the podium in every round, bagging eight moto wins and claiming podium finishes in every moto bar two, this further demonstrated the ascendancy he enjoyed over the stacked field on his way to securing the crown by a whopping 73 points over Eli Tomac.
The fact his worst moto placing was fifth (twice) served as extra testament to the slow-starting dynamo’s consistency, speed and ability to scorch through the pack throughout his rookie term on the 450.
In a season that was overflowing with memorable rides, his special display at Budds Creek certainly caught the eye, with his 2-1 to secure the overall and outlast championship rival Ken Roczen acting as a key turning point.
With the German superstar winning the previous round to gain back some momentum, Ferrandis was well aware of how important it was to reassert himself, which was precisely what he did.
Despite beginning the opening moto poorly to find himself back in sixth, which allowed the fast-starting Roczen to blast to an early lead, Ferrandis remained calm as he patiently settled into his rhythm.
Quickly moving into fifth in the early exchanges, next on his agenda was bridging the gap to Chase Sexton, Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb and Roczen, with the latter powering out to a hefty eight-second lead five minutes in.
Maintaining his composure while he continued to methodically adapt to the humid, sweltering conditions, which the move to Florida clearly helped him with, and the rugged track, it wasn’t long before he began to lay the hammer down.
Astutely assessing the track, the lines on offer and what his fellow competitors were doing, he made short work of Webb with a clinical move down the inside.
Navigating the surface shrewdly and growing in confidence, it was impressive seeing him charge the downhills, negotiate the long, sketchy ruts and piece the many challenging sections together coherently.
Carrying fantastic speed into and through the rollers, this was where he eventually got Tomac with an assertive lunge that was all commitment, knowing he couldn’t waste any more time battling as Roczen had surged out to a 14-second lead by the midway point.
Immediately setting his sights on Sexton, who was five seconds ahead, he then embarked on one of his trademark charges in the second half of the race. Laying down a series of heaters and going two seconds a lap faster than the duo ahead, Ferrandis gradually ate into the deficit before eventually getting by the Honda hotshot with three laps to go after a backmarker impeded him.
While it appeared Roczen had victory in the bag, as he was leading by roughly five seconds with two to go, the supremely fit, mentally strong and never one to give up Star Racing Yamaha man had other ideas, with him putting on an almighty charge to get within 1.5s on the final lap.
Although he came close to replicating the assertive pass he put on Tomac near the death, a visibly frustrated Ferrandis, who mentioned afterwards how the lappers didn’t respect the blue flag, had to be content with second.
Heading to the gate fired up and ready for action in the second moto, he would’ve been delighted to get a much improved start to propel him into third in the early running.
Wanting to catch Roczen, who jumped out to another scintillating start to lead instantly, before he got away, this proved an impossible task at the time due to him being embroiled in a feisty duel with Webb and Sexton.
The latter then edged by him to drop him back to fourth, leaving him with a tough challenge ahead to get to the front once more. Undeterred by this early setback, he regrouped rapidly, eager to make headway in his quest for victory.
Excelling all day in the waves (or rollers), it was unsurprising Webb was his latest victim here, with him sticking a pass on the Red Bull KTM rider six minutes in.
Progressing steadily and riding with a nice blend of power and finesse, there was a lot to like about how he managed the situation, for he kept in control and didn’t do anything silly.
Catching Sexton and Roczen halfway through, a four-way battle royale for supremacy then ensued, as Tomac joined the party too.
Ferrandis then made yet another power move in the rollers to overtake Sexton, thus meaning just Roczen was all that stood between him and a coveted overall win.
Weighing things up wisely while he waited for his moment to pounce, it was a joy watching these two elite operators going toe-to-toe in a battle royale. To his credit, though, Roczen responded sternly by putting in some wicked laps to keep his adversary at bay.
Ferrandis wouldn’t be denied, however, for after making a failed attempt on Henry Hill, he got the job done two corners later to take over at the front with eight minutes on the clock.
Pulling the pin and checking out emphatically in the following laps, this gave him the separation he needed to withstand Roczen’s admirable late rally to record the victory he craved to secure first overall on the day.
Even though he and Roczen were level on points on the day, there was no questioning what a statement showing this was, as he laid down an emphatic marker to his title combatant.
Going on to claim the title with some more outstanding rides in the following rounds, it was interesting to hear Ferrandis reflect on the importance of his masterclass at Budds Creek, stating: “Budds Creek was one of the best races of my career.
“First moto I was able to come back from behind and pass all the best guys in the sport. Like I said, I had to dig so deep to get this overall. I was just so stoked on it. That day, physically I felt invincible. I was just at the peak of my season, maybe. I don’t know. That day I was just on a cloud, like I was flying. That was such a good feeling.”
Having left France in 2017 to fulfil his ambitions of racing supercross in America, this race, as part of his magnificent season, served as further vindication that the former two-time 250SX and one-time 250MX champ made the right decision.
Known for his ferociously driven and competitive nature and for leaving no stone unturned in his preparation, all his hard work and sacrifice unquestionably paid off for that spectacular 2021 title.
Image: Star Racing
