by Andy Bowyer
Thursday Rev Up: Millville
Thursday, July 15, 2010 | 4:15 PM
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In this article…
Riders
- Justin Barcia
- Tyla Rattray
- Chris Pourcel
- Ryan Dungey
- Chad Reed
- Alex Martin
- Jake Weimer
- Blake Wharton
- Max Anstie
- Ivan Tedesco
- Broc Tickle
- Trey Canard
- Kevin Windham
Races
Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. Before I go any further, I’d like to congratulate all of the names on the 2010 Loretta Lynn’s roster. If your name is on that list, you are a bad dude; bottom line.
After a one-week hiatus, we are set to begin the second half of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships. As it stands, we have two runaways at the front of the 250cc and 450cc points standings, as Ryan Dungey and Christophe Pourcel have dominated. Now, it’s time to see if they can finish the game.
Christophe Pourcel is pulling away.
Photo: Steve Cox
We’re going to take the charge to one of the toughest tracks on the tour in Millville, Minn. This track is a beast for many reasons, but mostly because of her back-to-back sections of high-speed sand whoops. "The Whoop Monster," as it’s dubbed, is a primary passing point, as the rider with the heaviest set of stones can simply man up and hold it open to make moves. A couple of years ago, they had a radar gun shooting the riders, and some were carrying almost 50 mph across the top of the collarbone graveyard. That’s about as nasty as it gets right there. That said, Millville is a fast course that gets rough and chopped up, and it favors racers that excel in soft terrain. They also do some interesting things with the track prep by grooming two lines around the wider and faster corners. They leave a little wake of dirt to separate the grooves, and last year it worked very well.
Let’s take a look at the two divisions and get revved to the moon for the final quarter of the 2010 American motocross season.
250
My list of contenders begins with the sound and the fury of Justin Barcia. The ultra-aggressive Honda rider is the most daring berm rider in the field, and I don’t see much slowing him down. He’ll be carrying the mail through The Whoop Monster, and if No.17 can get a couple good starts, I think he can nail down his first overall of the series.
The biggest surprise of this bunch to me is Tyla Rattray. He was hunting down his second win at Red Bud when he decided to go bobbing for rocks on that downhill. Look for "Styla" to be at the front and hounding.
Trey Canard has momentum on his side right now.
Photo: Steve Cox
Then we have Trey Canard, who finally nailed down an O/A and won’t be riding for anything less than wins from here till the end. Like Barcia, Trey can ride the soft stuff with the best of them, and he’ll riding with mother momentum on his side.
What to say about Christophe Pourcel? He has a huge points lead, but I wouldn’t call it insurmountable. He lost his title last year during this stretch, but barring a mechanical DNF, or two, I don’t see him doing anything but winning a couple more overalls on his way to his first AMA outdoor championship.
Blake Wharton, Broc Tickle, and Max Anstie will have something to say. I’d also look for the embattled Jake Weimer to re-group and make some noise in the final six races.
Local hard charger Alex Martin will be taking a little extra around the track with him as well.
450
Homestate hero Ryan Dungey needs no accolade coming into the weekend. He made his pro debut at this track, and the most prolific rookie in premiere-class history will most likely hurt these guys bad. Ah, but huge points leads can be pesky. You don’t have to take chances, but big crashes are the product of laziness. Do recall that Jeremy McGrath lost his 1996 championship at Millville when he broke his ankle. Hey, it happened. Anything can happen.
Chad Reed is more than aware of this. He is the worst rider to have behind you in series points. The Thunder will be on the podium for the remaining rounds and I have a feeling he’ll be within striking distance when Pala gets here. Ben Townley is hungry and if he can keep it on two wheels, he can win. I’d like to see it, for sure!
Ryan Dungey (5) has a strangle-hold, but Chad Reed (1) isn't the guy you want behind you.
Photo: Steve Cox
The 450cc class will get a shot in the arm as Kevin Windham and Ivan Tedesco will make their returns to the track. Don’t underestimate Windham; he has the talent and experience to yank the holeshot and pull away. He won’t have the stream for two motos, but he’ll be very fast, while putting on a clinic through the whoops. However he does, he’ll have the crowd on their feet and swinging their t-shirts every lap he’s on the track. Go get’em, Kevin!
Ivan (and his super sweet One Industries riding gear) will be a force in the top ten; perhaps the top five. Tedesco will be using the final six races to market himself for 2011 and he’ll be in the top three in a moto before it’s over.
With that, it’s time to return to the times of drama and high adventure. It’s time to watch the boys explode out of the gate and hang off the back of their horses down the long start straightaway. Time to watch merciless berm annihilation, and see those tires slap across the tops of the nastiest whoop section in America.
Like I said last week, it’s not "what if" as much as it’s what’s next? Millville’s next, folks! Time to go back to work and finish the job.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
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Collarbone Graveyard ! Nice ! (Cant bring myself to say LOL) JimM CarlsbadCa
Is it too much to ask for TC or JB go on a 12 moto win streak? History has shown Mitch builds his bikes to within a gnat's pubic hair of meltdown (more popped motors than the next 2 anyones) and with the 'wick right over the horizon I'm betting there's an extra head gasket in Frenchie's motor from here on out. They should make a bet @ Geico until they (repeatedly) beat pepe le peuw they have to wear berets, ping & the girls can keep their skirts. C'mon Trey, America is ready for a(nother) pasty white, hairless winning machine!!!
How can Bowyer's say this "Chad Reed is more than aware of this. He is the worst rider to have behind you in series points. The Thunder will be on the podium for the remaining rounds and I have a feeling he’ll be within striking distance when Pala gets here." Don't see how that happens unless RD runs into so REAL bad luck down the streach. How does he figure Reed will be close?? I don't get that at all.Even if Reed won out ( not going to happen)and RD got 3rd every Moto ( not going to happen either)RD would STILL have the points lead and the title.
Cant help but remember how well Chad did here last year. milville seemed to end his "funk". If these Geiko honda's are so good than how come all their riders are trying so hard to get a ride with Mitch? Dean wilson needs to show these Vets how to ride. When's austin stroupe going to show up and show em how to holeshot?
Hey Andy, Kevin won't have the "stream"? Did you mean "steam"? If so, don't rely on spellcheck so much.
This track is mighty Supercrossy and a good place to bust your arse. Hope Dungey keeps his head and doesn't throw it away.
Gonna try real hard to make it up there for this!!! I really want to see KW riding a big bike outdoors again!! I agree though that i'm not sure how he thinks Reed is going to be within "striking distance" by the end, isn't the points lead like 64 or something?? It will take a MAJOR catastrophe from Dungey for that to happen, just play it smart, but not too safe RD!!! Damn i love Millville!!!
Hey Andy, you forgot about Wilson in the 250's.
wow no love for deano? the guy is 2nd in points and you don't even mention him. i'd put him before wharton, tickle and anstie in a second.
yah, you betcha then there, Minn. will be a hoot don't yah know!
Go styla. His gp races with Pourcel were Epic. Its nice to see that they came to America and still are the 2 guys to beat. This is the same reason im saying Marvin Musquin is gonna smoke everyone on the 250 both SX and MX.
I too can't believe that Dean Wilson isn't mentioned.
"BillC"...."whatever"....I figure Bowyer is just trying to get people amped up for Spring Creek, and some good racing. Everybody knows Dungey's got the series on lockdown. I don't see Millville going any differently either. Dungey dominated Millville last year (including Pourcel), so another 1-1 from RD is kind of what I'm expecting. 250 class should be exciting though.
of course wilson isnt mentioned what do you expect half the RX staff and the mx media in general have a huge hard on for some Cy kid whos done nothing but run in to people.
The guy that runs around the whoop section in the golf cart wearing the ghillie suit, ringing the bell and squeezing the horn is the Whoop Monster, not the whoop section itself, that's the sandwash. A rather trite nit pick, but it irked me a little bit.
yes, the whoop monster is the guy in the ghillile suit. everyone knows that , it irked me a bit too. oh well, let the battles begin on one of the toughest tracks around
Its called Rev-Up guys, he is trying to get a few whiners revved up. Good lord. and dgizzy, dont count on it his first year. Pourcel did good, it took Rattrey a while to get adjusted. Musquin may be the same way.
they should do an interview with the Whoop Monster. He's a really nice guy who gives free stickers to the kids at the races, and he's out there on his own dime. Monster Energy and Kicker helped him out a little with his Rhino, but Spring Creek doesn't pay him to be there.
hey fancypants, Millville is a long ways from Fargo...
Call it what ya want bd, But he makes himself look foolish saying that IMO. If this was for the "normal" people fine but anyone on here knows its an "OUT THERE" statment.
Oops, i said something with the words "Chad Reed" in it so now "bd" has to indirectly refer to me as a "whiner"!!! Good lord is correct man, that statement is a stretch and you know it, had it been about anyone else, you would most likely agree!!
whatever, you make no sense, and we all know if Stewie isnt being mentioned somewhere you arent even around. So I take any comments you have with a grain of salt.
Whatever, there are lots of guys here complaining about lots of things such as Bowyer calling the whoops the whoop monster. It isn't always about you.