by Davey Coombs
250 Words: Anaheim 1
Sunday, January 8, 2012 | 8:00 PM
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A couple hours before opening ceremonies at Angels Stadium, I ducked under the Troy Lee Designs' Honda tent to enjoy their hospitality lunch and wish good luck to team manager Tyler Keefe and his riders. But before I left, Brian Segrist, Cole Seely's agent, informed me that I was in for a big surprise.
“I can't believe people are leaving Cole Seely, a guy who won main events last year, off the list of favorites for tonight,” said Segrist. “He's going to win.” I had no idea which preview stories Ryan was talking about it, but said I hoped he was right. Seely is a very fast, quiet and—obviously—sometimes overlooked kid. And I don't know about everyone else, but I personally was not thinking about Cole's chances anywhere near as highly as I was Dean Wilson, Eli Tomac, Tyla Rattray, and even Wil Hahn.
Well, Brian Segrist was right! Cole Seely absolutely cruised to the Lites main event win last night, putting in a concise ride that left no question that not only is he a contender to win races, he is a definitive title favorite. On a complicated track that was getting a lot of love/hate talk before the race, #34 rode with so much confidence and comfort that he looked like he was supposed to be win.
Seely is the Lites points leader for the first time in his career.
Cudby photo
One race does not make a championship, of course, but the Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs Honda team, including Keefe, Cole's mechanic Rich Simmons, and even the namesake team owner himself, sure celebrated like they did.
Of course now Seely has to back his win up, which he certainly can do in Phoenix. But this time around, he's going to have more people saying he can win than just his agent.
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Nice kid with a Nice bike and Nice looking gear.......oh yeah and he flat HAULED!!!!!!!
Holy Cole! That was a very impressive ride for sure! Man I been waiting a long time for this season to get underway. The weekdays are going to drag til saturday nights.
Um, RacerX, you might want to use a different picture. I'm sure Cole's win was "inspired" but we don't need a graphic representation of that.
I think he really rode great!! He was able to pass guys quickly to get a clear track and ride his race... he 's the top contender right now too!
Great Story Davey!!! I was scratching my head when Aaron and Matthes gave their predictions last week and Seely was not even mentioned. How could they not mention a kid that won 2 Supercross races last year. I am officially a Cole Seely fan and think this kid is for real. He rides so smooth and reminds me of McGraths Style. Good luck in Phoenix Cole and rock that Red Plate you deserve it!!!
Matthes's wife Pookie picked Seely during the McGrath podcast last week. The guys on the show blew her off. She called it.
Was kind of thinking the same thing about the picture...
I like Dean Wilson, and in general what PC brings to the sport, but it is nice to see a Honda rider, not even on the factory supported team, ride away from everyone.
Cole looked great on the bike. He was smoother and more in control than everyone else on the track.
taking NOTHING away from Cole, as I had him in my pfantasy lineup....but the fastest guy on the track, and the one to look out for is Tomac for sure......his ride was amazing.......
unintentional or not that picture is hilarious
Jason Anderson needs some cred for coming from dead last to seventh. I'm calling podium in Phoenix.
good for Jason Anderson, looks good and fit, might be figuring this pro thing out...Deano will be tough to beat, and Tomac looks to be a challenger...Seely did awesome, hope he can keep it there every week...
a little lower Cole, ms supercross won't like being poked in the middle of her back...
where is barcia? is he not supposed to race with the 450's for the first round? now he's nowhere why?
Who cleaned Tomac's clock in the Heat race?...During his interview he said he was taken out by someone " who rides dirty their entire life"....guess I could go re-watch it...but RC, Emig and Ralphie boy let that comment go by with no mentione......Eli looked fast out there....nice ride for Seeley...
It was Max Anstie. I thought he had gotten his share of karma and learned something but I guess not. Back in the US and back to his old self.
Is that Red Bull's version of the Tug-Toner......?
Ahhh Anstie.... Wsnt he a top prospect a few years back...now he doesnt make the main....
check that....16th in the main...i was thinking someone else
If I remember correctly, Anstie was running second in a lites race a few years ago and went down, got hurt bad. Went back to Europe, didn't perform as well as expected in GP's and now looks like he is back in the US. He had a history of take-outs in the am races. That's what Eli means when he refers to his rep. Everyone remember KTMgate in the Am's?