by Andy Bowyer
One Industries Rev Up: Phoenix
Thursday, January 12, 2012 | 1:50 PM
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Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up.
The game is afoot, ladies and gentlemen. The 2012 Anaheim Supercross didn’t burn up the pages of the history book, or serve as the “instant classic” we all hoped for, but she was live on SPEED and we all saw a great show. For me, I don’t get so hyped up for A1 to be the mother of all barn burners as much as simply the onset of the championship. The new beginning to the end. Everyone was jacked up to get rolling and now we’re ready for more. And damn right there is more on the way. Still a padload of racing to go. Nobody won, or lost, the championship last Saturday night.
The boys went out and did a little peacocking and paraded their prowess for the opening salvo. New bikes, gear, and teams and so on and so forth. The consummate professional knows the power of a stone-face poker hand. Ah, but what’s solid about our sport is all of that premeditated banter takes a different turn when the gate drops.
Will the RV show continue in Phoenix?
Photo: Simon Cudby
Ryan Villopoto went out and took care of business. Not to go all BROtocross, but he “owned.” Chad Reed looked like he was way, way better than he began 2011, and with him being a notorious slow starter to a championship run, I look for him to be nails in about three weeks. Those two were the nuts in the field, but from there it got weird. Ryan Dungey looked faster than I thought he would. His new bike looks and handles very “Japanese,” and he looks smooth on it. He’ll be stealthy. Then there was the skittish-looking James Stewart. I seriously doubted I was going to be calling him that coming into the race, but he’s had a lot going on. Not to defend him, but switching teams—especially that team—was a big deal. Also, Stewart is the only one of the main guys who airs his charge openly, whether on the mic or on the social networks. Like it or not, it’s better entertainment, and it’s real. But I think he mind-games himself for races like the Anaheim opener. Phoenix hasn’t been nice to #7, but he’ll podium.
Who knows what the rest has in store? Ivan Tedesco was/is fast, Andrew Short looked great in his heat race, and Jake Weimer logged a top-five. Josh Hansen, Brett Metcalfe, Davi Millsaps, Josh Grant, and the rest could have been shockers, but they weren’t. As the season wears on, most of those guys will podium. They’ll be heard.
Meanwhile, the tiddler crew could see five guys win in their division—although Cole Seely proved last season’s speed is the real deal. Big win. I guarantee you it was quiet around the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit hauler as they folded up the tents. That said, I got action they don’t lose another main event. Maybe Seely gets the title, but Tyla Rattray and Dean Wilson will win the rest. I hope somebody beats them, but I don’t think they will. Seely could still win the title being consistent if Styla or Wilson stack it up when they don’t dominate. Bold talk? I don’t think so.
Wilson needs to rebound in Phoenix after a sub-par performance in Anaheim.
Photo: Simon Cudby
In regards to the track at Anaheim, I didn't like it, but I liked where their heads were. That said, we've shown that we can make or break the design of a racetrack, but the prime factor is the dirt. With better/different dirt we'll see a different dynamic of race. The dirt at Anaheim has been weird since the late ‘80s. Watch that tape of Ricky Johnson and David Bailey and look at the dirt and the berms. Phoenix, historically, has great dirt that produce berm-fanning abandon. I call it "great," but the dirt at Phoenix is looser than what we saw last weekend. It will make for great corners. This does not bode well for anyone other than Ryan Villopoto fans. RV Park is on the rampage. Let's see if he can keep the run going.
What’s more, the new season is here. You hear me? We can all look forward to seeing the boys master the art of shredding sixteen more times. Recent history has seen some big races at Phoenix, son. Big races and a lot of drama. Hey, folks, she’s coming up this Saturday night! We got a little taste of what’s on the way last weekend, but how much do we really know?
This is why we run the races, ladies and gentlemen.
The game is afoot. Sixteen to go.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
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Will RV crush them again?? I would not bet agenst it!!!
Andy, did you not see tomac ? I think the tiddler class is very up in the air. The way tomac rode with a good start he would have won. fasted laps coming through the pack ! I was suprised by Sipes, I had him figured in the top 3 or 4. I am going to say pro circut domination is over, there it's out !
With the poopies behind him I bet Hansen places 5th.
Nice paragraph on the lites class. One BIG problem, you left our ELI TOMAC. Factor that into your equation. Personally, I don't think PC will win the rest of the West lites races.
"Who knows what the rest has in store? Ivan Tedesco was/is fast, Andrew Short looked great in his heat race, and Jake Weimer logged a top-five. Josh Hansen, Brett Metcalfe, Davi Millsaps, Josh Grant, and the rest could have been shockers, but they weren’t. As the season wears on, most of those guys will podium. They’ll be heard"
.You really think most of them will PODIUM??? Care to bet on that?? Baring RV,RD,JS or Reed getting hurt and with TC coming back soon I think it will be a long shot for any of them to make it. It would have to be a crasy race with a big and bad crash that takes down all the top guys IMO. some of them have the speed once in a wile but man the top 4 guys are so strong it would take some luck i think.
Yup guys I think Andy is a little off on all his predictions. Tomac was FLYING and could run the table, Not likly but I would not be shgocked. Wison did not look good at all and Rattray is not an SX guy yet.
PHOENIX....the new round 1 !!! ... All the pre-season hype - extinguished .... Shitty track - Gone !!!
Im cool with my boy RV slaying the field again....But I hope to see a better James Stewart...not that he was " horrible " at A1......People expect him to be up front and whehn he isnt, just a "so-so" night is seen as a failure.....Aside from the shroud issues, James had a solid 4th locked up considering his horrible start....he looked to be more patient and content rather than roll the dice and go for it....that is an improvment in my book....
PC boys running the table? What? Wilson got passed and left by Seely, then gooned- over all by himself.
Lites - I think PHX is going to be all Wilson..... Wilson, Tomac , Musquin....thats my prediction
Killomoto, what do you consider a "good" track?? One that is just like all the others? typical boring rythums and whoops?? I thought the track was good because it was different and that alone made it challenging and exciting. Plus nobody got hurt bad. Hill did, but its not from a dangerous track. Guys keep whining that the track sucked, but every rider rode the same track and all had the same chances. I thought it was fine, so did RV if you read his interview here on RacerX.
And I think Tomac is the fastest guy if he doesnt have problems like A1, he made a ton of passes on the so-called "crappy" track. The West may be his from here on out..
''Ah, but what’s solid about our sport is all of that premeditated banter takes a different turn when the gate drops''
AKA when the gate drops the bullshit stops!
Some very bold predictions there... That lites podium will host several different faces and be far from some shade of green!
.
Killmoto...
I agree...track was bogus...
and your assessment of RV1 and Js7 was actually agreeable...I am a stewart fan, but RV is a complete badass. 7 looked off...but looked ok being off, he wasn't killing himself or others trying to get to the front...he was taking it as it came to him...
If JS and RV would have started 1-2...RV still would've won and probably by just as much...he was insane...and fun to watch...
I have to say Tomac was by far the fastest lights guy coming form the back of the pack to 3rd on a track that was supposed to be one line.
But in general the Honda's looked faster than the PC machines. I think the next few race's will prove me right.
And anyone tell why Tomac is using 17 Barcia''s #, I'm sure he'll need it in the outdoors.
@bd200, I agree with you about the tack,, I just wish it had some better whoooooopsssss in it. It seems like if a SX track has ruts in it, most of the guys don't like it.
"Not to defend him, but switching teams—especially that team—was a big deal."
What is the big deal? He´s still on a yamaha and everybody says that JGR can do almost anything he wants.
I think Dungeys´s switch was way bigger.
He'll podium...? Stewart will podium? Although first is podium I know, Andy you seem like your discounting Stewart a little too much by phrasing it like that. Not that I want him too, but I still think Stewart is going to win 7 or 8 races before its over. Anaheim 1 I think, was a fluke for him. I only hope the others will step up as well.
Its RV right now. My guy Reed needs to dig deeper and match his speed. Stewart and dungy will battle for 3rd in the series. Reed will be RV1s challenger for the title. just like last year. Except Reed started better this year.
BD200 - yes the track offered change, which is good, but if guys like Reed, Stewart, RV , Tedescoe, Windham etc think the track was " sub-par" to quote Reed, I think its safe to say it wasnt a "good" track and it did not work to well. Windham, the most experienced guy out there was asked about the good part of the track, his reply " are there any good parts?"....I watched the race back a few times and RV wasnt smooth and perfect either...he bobbled a few times, almost went down hard another and almost blew over two berms. He won the race and isnt going to say anything other than " I RULE"....... I am sure if i got to ride the track, I would have fun on it.....but for the likes of Reed, RV, Stewart etc.....the track was not " good "....so feel free to ask them why, I am just stating my thought which most riders seem to agree....A good SUPERCROSS track to me has rythym sections and whoops...yes, maybe cookie cutter...but thats what supercross tracks are...jumps, whoops, rythym.....A1 I would call a hybrid like MEC...Good to see PHX looks like its going to be a sick track..even better I'll be there....
Barcia changed numbers......
...I guess #17 was not Barcia's career number and his new number is #20
Killomoto, thanks for that!
Tomac earned #13 but did not want to run it. He got the next available number , which was 17.
@bigtireguy Reed was off RV pace last year and will be off even more this year.. Bet on it.
Damn hit the submit before I was done. JS will be the only guy who can match RV for speed. Reed will only be close in the end if RV and JS have issues. I hope I am wrong but I don't thinks so. Sure there will be a race or two that other will step up but for the most part I don't see it.
pheonix is gonna be awesome. RV is looking like RC. ive heard alot of people are saying that if james had a good start then it woulda been different. i dont think so because rv was HAULING but i guess we'll have to see in pheonix
I don't think the whole switching teams to JGR is a legitimate excuse at all. He's had more time than anyone to get prepared for this series, has been on Yamaha's for years, and considering he is a past champion and almost considered a veteran by now he should know how to show up ready, bottom line is he was not ready for A1. I've never seen JS look tired before, and his bogus 6th place post-race interview showed a tired and somewhat defeated looking version of himself. The team/bike are not or should not be an issue for him at this point, ask RD5 how his team change went.
@ "most of those guys will podium"? I know you want to be nice but be realistic..
"most of those guys will have 19 lap mains would be more acurate
You Forgot to mention Tomac was the fastest guy in the main event on a HONDA and Justin Brayton finished Fourth on a HONDA a career best and you didnt even give him any INK, WTF
Villopoto is untouchable this year Reed will finish second to live up to his twwoooz, Dungey will nicely take third and JS7 is going to be filming his next MTV show by midseason. Brayton takes fourth and Weimer fifth overall
Might as well make RV's permanent number 1 instead of 2. Let someone else run the 2 until he retires.....just kidding. I love the guy still thinking Stewart will win 8 rounds before it is over. The only way that happens is if he was playing opossum, and setting everyone up. Which would mean he started the big setup at some point in SX 2011....and he is playing around with other tires just to sell it. I'm still wondering, what was the big thing that he asked JGR if they could do before he would sign? I think what we will see out of this year is that the L&M team was not so much of the problem.
@Killomoto, you are mistaken on one thing. You keep mentioning RV in your statements from riders who didnt like the track.. RV said he liked the track, mainly because it was safe. But enough of the track, I cant wait for Pheonix so we can do all this again.
No doubt RV is riding high, but I just cant envision crafty oldCR//relentless RD/alien JS et al. laying down for sixteen more. Also the degree of luck (body,bike,starts,whoops,wipes,the gnarly bar to bar contact?). Just saying shit goes wrong pikers its Murphy's law...believe.
Reed being a notorious slow starter...what a load of garbage, this must of been your first A1.......03 1st , 04 1st , 06 2nd , 07 3rd , 08 2nd , 09 3rd , last weekend 2nd...comes out swinging and fast not slow...
BillC...I dont think JS and Dung will be battling for just 3-4. All four of these guys are going to be tooth and nail all the way to Vegas. Yes RV looked fast, but this is a long series and you dont want to peak to early. Reed has a year under the Honda and his team. Plus he hasen't been able to ride full practice moto's until this week, and he still took a "distant" second with a tip over. Every one of these guys are on a different level. Don't be so quick to give RV the title or JS 8 wins...
"Also, Stewart is the only one of the main guys who airs his charge openly, whether on the mic or on the social networks."
I'd say it this way: James is the only one of the main guys who can't humbly say, "I got beat tonight" or "the competition is has gotten so much better the last 2 or 3 years" or "I made a stupid mistake out there"...JS7and the media that worship him are simply in denial. RC4 (who was in a stage of his career where he couldn't afford to risk getting getting killed by Stewart) was the last of the "main guys" that won't go bar to bar with James for 20 laps. And for that we can all thank Chad Reed. I'm not a big Reed fan but he was the one who exposed JS7 as not being from another planet. It's simple really; match or exceed JS7's speed and he will crash ALMOST every time. That's why nobody will ever get credit for beating him "straight up" as the talking heads say. He will crash, crash you or crash and crash you. Bank it! Go RD5!!!