Phoenix Practice Report
Saturday, January 14, 2012 | 7:25 PM
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PrintThe nerves and hype of Anaheim 1 make the Monster Energy Supercross opener as much of a show as it is a race. Here in Phoenix, it’s all about racing. You can tell the crews are leaner and more focused, the riders have their game faces on, and the actual show—the race itself—could be really impressive.
In the Lites class, the field is very tight at the top, with no less than nine riders taking time at the top of the practice leader board throughout the afternoon. In the end, Dean Wilson’s 51.63 took the top spot, ahead of Eli Tomac’s 51.993 and Zach Osborne’s 52.063. Osborne may have taken a few years off from supercross to race GPs, but the dude hasn’t lost any indoor skill.
Jason Anderson was fourth overall with a 51.197—and briefly he held the top qualifying position in the first practice. This is the shot of confidence the sophomore rider needs. His teammate Martin Davalos was right behind him in fifth overall. Marvin Musquin was sixth fastest, and Tyla Rattray ended the first session in the number-one spot, but couldn’t duplicate it in session two. Still, Rattray is showing major improvements in speed in his second year of supercross.
How deep is the Lites field? Last week’s race winner and the West Region points leader, Cole Seely, was fast, but only ended up eighth overall. Nico Izzi also spent time at the top of the qualifying board by going fast in session one. But the track got faster in session two, and Izzi unfortunately took a big crash and didn’t finish the second session. We will try to get an update on Izzi later this evening—we’re not sure if he’s racing or not. Max Anstie rounded out the top ten overall, behind Izzi.
The SX class was interesting as well. James Stewart looked back to his old self in the first session, carrying big speed through the slower sections and logging the fastest time of the first session, ahead of Ryan Villopoto, Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey and Justin Brayton. But Stewart elected not to ride the second timed session, and the track got faster, so his session one time only held up to keep him in sixth overall. We heard a report that Stewart "is under the weather" so that could impact things.
The fastest? Villopoto, who attacked the track in session two to bust out a 51.219 over Reed’s 51.551 and Dungey’s 51.724. Kevin Windham and Jake Weimer rounded out the top five, with Brayton, Josh Hansen, Trey Canard, Mike Alessi and Davi Millsaps.
Yes, Trey Canard is back and racing tonight. He isn’t quite as aggressive as his old seld, but it’s not bad for being back on the bike for just over a week.
As far as the track, riders are experimenting with a triple-triple combo in one rhythm lane. It’s significantly faster, and it’s doable for the faster 250 and 450cc mounted riders. But, this track will change significantly. A heavy dose of water before practice left the track soft, and deep ruts formed in the bowl turns. But the track crew is now working those turns over and taking the ruts out. Combine that with what should be a more slippery, drier soil by the night show, and the whole race could change. Will that triple-triple even be doable if the riders can’t get out of the corner as clean? Will Stewart bounce back after skipping the second session? And what about that Lites class? There are nine riders within about a second of each other. Should be good tonight.
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Hey Wedgie what do you mean will JS7 bounce back from missing the second session. Big deal he missed it!! Times got faster so they should be in his favour. Shouldn't be a factor at all. And only by half a second from his time of 51.812. Give me a break. Write about something that makes sense.
"Jason Anderson was fourth overall with a 51.197—and briefly he held the top qualifying position in the first practice This is the shot of confidence the sophomore rider needs. His teammate Jason Anderson was right behind him in fifth overall."
just a heads up weege
Maybe Bubba skipped the second practice so he could use "I skipped it" as an excuse for coming up the sixth fastest.
Really sucks that the lap times are so fast. Gonna be a quick main tonight. Love or hate the track from A1, at least the lap times were longer. The shorter track tonight will be a benefit to James since he won't have to ride as long. As winded as he looked after his heat race last week, the shorter track will certainly be a blessing for him.
Weege, there's just one Jason Anderson (not two-sorry!), and he posted a 52.197.
Quote " We heard a report that Stewart "is under the weather" And I was hoping for an EXCUSE FREE night..... Im never surprised with him, most riders never tell you if they have a broken bone let alone a cold, Big efin deal...... If you cant blame the bike just tell everyone you have the sniffles and that should do the trick.....
Can we ever have a race where he doest blame something or someonefor being the reason he gets beator crashes ????????? All these excuses he comes up with is why I have no respect for this kid, He needs to take notes from RC, That guy had more problems that nobody knew about and he allways gave credit when someone beat him !!!! We miss you RC !!
HAHA, let the excuses begin!!!!!!!
Redneckrider, James had the fastest time in the first practice session. He was 6th overall after the second session, which hd didn't ride.
How is HE making excuses when HE didnt say anything. If Reed got sick and said something about it? Is that an excuse. You all really have no reason to hate on him. At least hes out there? You? You sit behind a keyboard on racenight.
Thank you for saving me from typing the same thought biker143!!!!!!
biker143....this is not the first time bubbles has skipped second practice....he does it all the time....is it fitness??? maybe...is it head games cause maybe he's found a line or combo that no one has seen yet??? probably not...is it lazyness because he signed a contract with JGR for money and a chance to race cars??? we'll never know...one thing that i will personally lay money on??? he will not beat MC's all time win record
@toothferry James put up a video of himself just to say he was under the weather !!!!!! go do your research before you shoot your mouth off ! http://www.motoxaddicts.com/2012/01/14/2012-sx-james-stewart-phoenix-supercrosspre-race-update/
So sad that you have to tell the world you have the sniffles.....no its just pathetic !!
Guys, people get sick it happens. Reed got sick a couple years ago and lost weight, it was obvious. RV got sick to start the outdoor season, and Stewie is sick now, it happens. When you are testing and training and working hard and putting in alot of hours and not getting rest, your immune system takes a hit, and you get sick, it happens. He is doing the smart thing and getting rest before the heats start, he saw the track and is ready.
Guys I have quit doing it because it isnt fair, but you need to quit comparing ANYONE with RC. He is the GOAT!!, and always will be. And MC is the "King of Supercross", and always will be. You cant compare anyone to either of these guys. Its why they were the best.
Stewart and his mechanic worked on his yami long after the races were over...Some thing tells me they have been behind the 8 ball...A problem of some sort before loading up and pushing off to arizona...........................................
Does it really matter?, really, most us have to go to work Monday and will never see the amount of coin these guys have so who gives a S#@T. Its good entertainment and they are all bad asseses for what they do!!! Sick or not lol!
Cheers from Canada!!!!
wow, so a guy gets sick and some of you use it as an EXCUSE to hate on him, L. A. M. E.
its crazy how anything written about the 'Fastest man on the planet' stirs up so much sh*t.
ride2 Ya tell me about it!!!! I guess it comes with the territory. Cheers 7 times lol
People are going to hate...Who cares, I think maybe because they are known what JS7 can do and are scared of it...Shut the hell up and let them be human thats all they are!!!! Until you make as much money as JS7 and can ride like JS7 STFU!!!!
the speed channel is airing an excellent pre-race show right now.
Watching Speed right now and I have to ask Since when is RC the same size as Ralph and Jeff ? Do they have him standing on a box?
Congrats to Ryan Dungey and the whole KTM team, great to see a manufacturer still promoting 2-strokes get to the top, even if it is with the 4. Great job tonight!!!!