10 Things to Watch For at Anaheim 2
Friday, February 4, 2011 | 3:55 PM
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PrintAnaheim 2 is the new Anaheim 3! Yup, this weekend normally marks Monster Energy Supercross' third visit to Angel Stadium, but Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium took up the old A2 spot, which means we're only racing for the second (and final) time this year in Anaheim. Things could be a lot different than they were a month ago when this building hosted round one of 2011. Here's what to watch for:
1. Pink is in: Well, literally Pink, the singer, will be in the Dodge Motorsports Hart and Huntington pits with her husband Carey Hart. But pink, the color, will be everywhere. Anaheim 2 is the Pink Race for Breast Cancer Awareness. Look for teams and riders to bust out (pardon the pun) some cool pink livery, including graphics and gear. The stadium will be covered in pink banners, and you can expect fans to come dressed in pink, too. It’s a cool look for one weekend, but beyond that, there’s a real reason for all of this—lots of donations are made to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Cancer is something that has had an impact on just about all of us, so if you’re going to the race, donate when you see the pink booth in the pits.
2. Can Stewart start streaking? James Stewart has proven a few things this year already. He appears to be back 100 percent from a wrist injury. He’s fast enough to win races again. His team is in order and his bike is working well. The desire is still there. All of the pieces fit, but there’s just one major part of his pre-2010 self that hasn’t happened yet—a win streak. Clearly James is still getting his racing legs back under him after a long layoff, so he’s only going to get better from here.
3. Can RV stop it? Let’s just be clear on this: so far, no other riders have demonstrated that they can go as fast as James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto this year. Someone else could step up, but right now JS7 and RV2 seem just a smidge faster than the rest, so Stewart building a win streak and maintaining the points lead may hinge on Villopoto’s performance. We didn’t get to see them settle it in Phoenix, Los Angeles or Oakland due to crashes. This could be the race we’re hoping to see.
Will Stewart be able to put together a win streak?
Photo: Garth Milan
4. The time is now for Dungey: Stewart and Villopoto came into the season after big injuries and long layoffs last year. But watch the races, and you’d think Ryan Dungey, last year’s champ, is the one racing himself back into form. He’s been fast at times, and consistent all the way, but he’s not quite as aggressive as Stewart and Villopoto at the moment. That duo is quickly building a points gap on the champ. How quickly can he respond?
5. Chad Reed needs another star: We finally saw what the 2011 edition of Chad Reed was capable of in Oakland, when he got a good start and battled Dungey to the last corner to snag second place. So now Reed is officially a player again. Will he be on the box every week like he used to be? We’ll find out Saturday.
6. Hansen under pressure: L’il Hanny came into the year with momentum from the Australasian Monster Energy Super-X Title, and he promptly won the first two rounds. Then he crashed after running into Cole Seely in LA, and got beat on a slippery, gnarly track in Oakland by his teammate Broc Tickle. Now the kids are feeling it and Hanny is going to have to take the momentum back.
7. Tickle me fast: It won’t be easy for Hansen, because Tickle wasn’t far off of him at Anaheim 1 or Phoenix, and now he has a confidence boost from his Oakland win. Tickle will have to prove he can beat Hansen straight-up on a dry track to really put in a title run, but it’s something he may be able to do. Especially if he eats his lucky Chipotle meal during the week—training be dammed!
Can Hanny regain momentum in Anaheim?
Photo: Garth Milan
8. Tomac's turn? Ze German, Ken Roczen, was the rookie that had everyone talking after showing crazy speed in Anaheim and Phoenix practice. The racing has been rough on the KTM kid, though. Meanwhile, Eli Tomac has been quietly building a great season, and after grabbing some podiums, looks poised to be the first rookie to win.
9. The next guy: The big four--Stewart, Reed, Dungey and Villopoto--took the top four spots in Oakland, and Trey Canard has proven he can run the pace when he gets a start. Is anyone else ready or capable of stepping up? So far we’ve seen flashes from riders like Justin Brayton, Brett Metcalfe, and veterans like Kevin Windham and Ivan Tedesco would like to be there, too. One of these weekends they’ll get their shot. But will they be able to take advantage.
10. Something extraordinary: After an injury-ravaged 2010, this year is already a success since just about every major contender in the SX class, sans Josh Grant and Jake Weimer, is still healthy. But besides a ten-lap slugfest in LA, we haven’t quite seen the mega-battle we want yet. And so far, very few ill words have been spoken. Which comes first? The dramatic race for the win? Trash talk? One of the contenders making a mistake and losing major points? You have a feeling something big is going to happen soon.
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FIRST !! Suck it, Matthes. You too, Watson.
Wow... Another pic of Hansen putting a front wheel into the foot of a kid.
Dirty!!!
Here is another thing to watch .....classic!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCNx3BKl60E
I am such a chowderhead, I am immature, small and weak. I have never raced but mom bought me a computer so I can pretend to be someone.
Round 5 and still feels like anything can happen......But pending any disaters, I think we'll see JS7 and RV2 take the top 2 spots and a battle for 3rd between CR22, TC41 and RD1.....RD1 needs to step up.....all the super RD fans who comment on this page are going to be eating their toes for snack very soon...He is answering the question all have been debating since round 1.....He is good yes....but the best, not so much.
Reed is one of the big four? Canard is beating Reed in the point standings (albiet by one point) but its not like Reed has had any bad races to justify being behind him. I think it would be more just to callit the big five- Stewart, Villopoto, Dungey, Canard, Reed. To be honest though I think you guys are blowing Reeds podium way out of propotion, and I'm not just saying that because I hate the guy. BTW, MOTOGUY, quite trying to demonize me, I have NOTHING against FORGIEN RACERS and I never BASHED REARDON. YOU SIR, ARE THE BACKSTABBING TROLL. Last but not lest, I'm not a coward and will take on any bets of Reed not winning. Thanks and have a nice day. -DA SMEE
Hey Jason, Hansen didn’t "Crash" he stalled his bike, now lets get the facts straight !
I agree with you Redbeard, I'm a huge Dungey fan and have been for three years. I thought he would be really good, but not necessarily the best. Not to take away anything away from his championships last year, but I think this year is a reality chack for Dungey. -DA SMEE
I dont count anyone out at thier level unless you have raced in the top ranks AKA chowderhead shut up. I just hope we see it happen to the end and we will have a good season and let the chips fall as they will. I just wanna enjoy the races. Hey Redbeard you make some good comments.
i think your right redbeard65. Js7 and rv2 will run majority of the time out front and cr22 and rd1 will share third.At the series end reed should beat dungy for third.The reason i say this is because js7,rv2,and cr22 in the past build momentum through the year and dungy pretty much stays the same.Rd1 imploded on the 250 with lawarance then last year, when rv2 got it together,rd1 couldnt stop him.
Dungey has been a slow starter for the most part, since turning pro. Maybe it's because he moved up from the B class amatuers. In lites, he didn't step it up until the mid to latter part of his lites career. In 2010 outdoors, he didn't look very good at the opener, and then took off from everyone. Maybe, he is just trying to stay calm, and see if it will all just come to him. By this time last year, the field was already very depleted. And rv didn't get on it until later in the series, so that proves that you can't judge too much from the early rounds. I don't think he will maintain this pace for the entire series, i think he has more in the tank, just waiting to use it, if he feels he needs to. Remember that he is under the tutelage of r/c. Just maybe he knows what he's doing??
I went to that dar-moto.webs.com website that guy keeps saying to go to. It's go some funny stuff on there. some hot chicks too
chowderhead, I'm sorry. I'm a gigantic loser, not at all like the great chowderhead. I'm ornery today, because I messed my adult diaper, and don't have any fresh ones. - Welker
Just heard Reed triped and fell in the pits and broke a finger nail..Hes out for A-2
Good work JW! Many more 25 and 22 point races by Stewart and Villopoto, TC , CR and RD are going to have make somthing happen. Everybodys playing nice so far, the fireworks will begin shortly.
JimM
Yzf125 lil fanny stalled his bike trying to punt Seely , then Canada, then Tickle (hi Mitch) . Seriously is that Hansens only move. Cant wait to see what Hansens got for Daytona. Dont worry Spicoli, once your exposed on the rough tracks you got a carreer as lil valet., or I hear flat track racing is pretty smooth.
JimM
Well, one thing is for sure. Trash talk is not they way to prove a point. Reed and James have had the biggest charges through the pack. Just a fact. canard is ridding a little over his head to keep up, good for him. We have tracks that are very short; when was the last time we saw a 43 second lap in a super-cross? I would like to see rougher tracks that make longer lap times. To weaken out the timid. Not who jumps the farthest, but who can take the most pounding to boot. In the 70's and 80's out door nationals had 45 minute moto's in the out doors. There used to be 3 moto's for a while. I'm sure some one will look that up and kindly inform me that I'm a idiot, but a "Idiot" that has raced for 28 years. I would like to see the announcers say some thing intelligent, they bore the heck out of the racing and are so predictable, we have a Suzuki guy, Kawasaki guy, and a Honda guy. Id like to see Gary Bailey and Rick Johnson commentate.
So that is my 2 Cents worth of wasting your time.
Last year, Dungey put the heat on Stewart at A1 early and everyone was thinking, "Man, this guys for real, and maybe he can straight up beat James". We all know what happened next. Put the pressure on Bubba, don't let him just run away, or stick to him like glue, like RC did, and he becomes vulnerable. All of us are like that. Pressure leads to mistakes, and the rider willing to hang it out and give it everything to keep Bubba honest will be the next champion. I think the field, this year, understands that and we're in for some incredible racing.
I used to like RV until I found out he's a hunter ! What a chicken shit, I lost all respect for him, does he enjoy killing animals with a gun, wanna impress someone kill it with your hands not with a gun you coward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im so tired of reading all these chumps saying dungeys playing it cool and that hes going to pick it up. get over it already, hes done. he hasnt even contended for a win yet and guess what he wont. Hes a paper champ CHUMP! 2 of the last 4 races last year he was passed and beaten both times by windham, dudes a phony, why else do you think Decoster left suzuki. that shouldve told everyone what time it was this year.
Well there you have it ! steelkush has enlightened us !
JimM
Finally ! Somebody who knows SOMETHING about motor-cross, on this site.
@ Ingrid - LOL
Ingrid. Are you vegan?
Smee you are an Austalian hating Tool nothing more nothing less, yep Reed has not had a bad night that should justify him being 1 point behind TC, O apart from the dead last to 7th!
You probably dont hate Austalian's but your hatred for Reed is just dumb. Every comment you have made has been a Hater post about Reed, Really what is your prob, did you just find out he is your long lost Dad?
DONE-gey
TO RV-Envy, I'n not , however I bet RV is not killing for food but for plain pleasure.
There is just one word that descrbes that
CCCCOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWAAAAAARRRRRRDDDDDDDDD
What I meant by "bad race" was "not-being-able-to-finish-race bad race", its Reed's fault that he was in last off the start and incase you didn't notice Smee Hater, Canard got a nearly dead last start last week. As for the Reed bashing, I plead guilty, but the fact that your calling me a Australian hater because I hate Reed is just plain STUPID. Not everyone is gonna like every rider GET OVER IT! -DA SMEE
For those of you saying Dungey is just getting going... Momentum is everything, something that RV and JS and even Reedy know very well. Unfortunately for Reed he's had to learn the lesson the hard way a few times. RC would set the pace early in the season, putting races together building a points lead, Reed would try to catch up at the end, but it was ever to late. I say first rider to 5 wins takes the championship. RV better stick to James back tire and force him into mistakes. Once James gets on a roll, there is no stopping him.
At Oakland, I made an observation. #7 either the greatest rider,best bike setup, best mechanic @ trainers or all the above period. Mr. Reed, a man with true grit and courage.Hope you have continued success . Big disappointments ,RV rode around like a prom queen instead of a champion.What a shame,you need to get on the throttle more aggresively .KTM.May want to rethink their 350, down on power,and does'nt handle the whoops as well as other bikes.Makes your riders look bad, of which they are not. 250 racing is anyones game at this point, very exciting to watch. Expecting change here , amazing new talent in this class.Pro Circuit ,I think your time has come and gone,step aside, I see other colors prevailing with top spot finishes.Good luck.
HANNY TRIES TO HIT EVERYONE WHEN HES MAKIN A PASS EVEN IF ITS A LAPPER HE TRIES TO TAKE THEM OUT! YOU WOULD THINK HED BE FASTER IF HE WAS RACIN AND NOT TAKIN PEOPLE OUT
I HATE HANNNY!! HOW OLD IS HE? 26? I THINK THE KIDS IN THE CLASS ARE SCARED OF HIM CAUSE HES A OLD MAN PUNK!!111
Please, lets not get all anti-hunting on here now. What RV does in his personal time is nobodies business but his. And I remember a guy giving me all kinds of lip, because I said Tomac may get a win this year. Well, looks like he has the speed, he may get it yet.. Ingrid, get over it. What is wrong with hunting?? Nothing. Just because we humans are smarter than them. If we dont control the population of animals, Mother Nature will. Just like "blue tongue" wiped out thousands of deer in Indiana and Kentucky last year. Its a bad way for any animal to die.
Here is a picture, dating back to the origins of motocross in the united states.
Even then, the women didn't get the recognition that they deserve.
We've come a long way though.........
http://dar-moto.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=115177521
smee113 : Im not even Aussie but you sir are on ! How about 1 ) Loser has to sack up and do the jump (60' minimum) at his local track that he hasn't been able to will himself to try or 2) give a reasonable donation to WonderWarthog or RiderDown if Reed stands on the top step this year before SX series ends . Pick one unless you have a better idea but proof will be required.
JimM
Damn Im a moron !