Who is Ready for the Nationals?
Thursday, April 12, 2012 | 1:10 PM
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PrintWhen Ryan Villopoto clinched the Monster Energy Supercross Championship in Houston, it unlocked his motocross training program, allowing the Monster Energy Kawasaki man to start logging long motos down at his Florida compound.
We know what the defending 450MX Champ is doing to prepare. What about other riders? We sent out a bunch of text messages and got these answers in response. As you can see, work has only just begun.
Blake Baggett:
I rode two days of outdoor. First day I felt super rusty and slow! Day 2 was at Glen Helen, that’s the one you guys had on a video. I was starting to feel it by then.
I’ve done a little bit of outdoor riding but no testing yet. We’ll start that after New Orleans.
Kyle Cunningham:
Haven't done much for outdoors yet been trying to let the wrist heal up a bit more, but rode a little bit on my SX stuff the other day.
"Haven't done much for outdoors yet been trying to let the wrist heal up a bit more, but rode a little bit on my SX stuff the other day." - Kyle Cunningham
Simon Cudby photo
Blake Wharton:
I have been prepping for outdoors and it has been going well. I have been riding in Cali training with Randy Lawrence at some of the local tracks.
Gannon Audette
For outdoor prep I haven’t done anything. I just got all my screws and everything out from Dallas about 2 weeks ago and have been going to therapy 3 days a week. I hope to start riding this weekend, just corners and stuff that’s real easy and go from there. Been doing cardio and gym an everything, just no riding
Jake Canada
Yes, last week I rode outdoors twice and did suspension testing with MB1 suspension at Glen Helen on Thursday and made some good progress.
Kyle Peters
I did some suspension testing with the team last Thursday at Glen Helen got the bike working really good. Pumped for outdoors.
Brett Metcalfe:
Did some outdoor riding last week to get started on testing, and we’re doing one more day this week before getting back into supercross for New Orleans.
Davi Millsaps:
Yes, I did one day of testing at my house.
Shawn Rife
I haven’t done much outdoor riding and the outdoor riding I have done has been at Area 51 in Brooksville, Florida. Also had SX suspension, so it’s a little different.
I have rode outdoors a few times already but plan on starting testing and hitting it full time next week after New Orleans!
Ryan Smith
I have done a few days of outdoor prep but then my bike blew up, so I’m waiting on my motor from Yoshimura. I only have my race bike right now and trying to keep as little time on it as possible. I usually ride at Milestone. I do the monthly deal, better for the budget haha!
Preston Tilford
I have been training for outdoors with Ryno [Ryan Hughes] 3 times a week. Monday we hit the gym. Tuesday it’s off to Perris. Wednesday it’s Pala. Thursday we hit Glen Helen.
"I rode outdoors one day on my SX bike just because our track as prepped really good but other than that I haven’t touched an outdoor track in a long time." - Jimmy Albertson
Simon Cudby photo
Jimmy Albertson
I rode outdoors one day on my SX bike just because our track was prepped really good but other than that I haven’t touched an outdoor track in a long time. For me outdoors comes so natural that I really only need a day or two to be ready. Right now it’s more important for me to get more confident and comfortable on SX so I can improve my results and stay injury free. But I CANNOT wait till outdoors!!!
Tommy Weeck
As far as outdoors goes Saturday was the first time I have ridden a outdoor track and I was on my supercross suspension. So no prep has been done as I still don’t know what my plans for outdoors are quite yet.
Sean Hackley
I haven’t got to ride since Houston because of the injury so outdoors will be a little tough for me. Luckily when I signed with Munn Racing KTM we actually got a good base set for outdoors as I was getting use to the new bike. So I won’t be too far behind when I get back on the bike.
Jason Anderson:
I did a bunch of outdoors over the last few weeks, now I’m getting back into SX mode for Seattle.
Michael Leib
Outdoor prep has been good. We had some engine difficulties and finally got to the bottom of it this week. So even though it got cut a week short, things are looking good for now. Pretty gnarly keeping things together with everything out of pocket still. Regardless, having an awesome time being home, and looking forward for the races to come.
Justin Brayton:
I did a day of outdoor testing last week in California.
Justin Bogle
I flew out to California and started testing right after Houston.
Wil Hahn
I have trained for outdoors a little in California.
"I did some suspension testing with the team last Thursday at Glen Helen got the bike working really good. Pumped for outdoors." - Kyle Peters
Simon Cudby photo
Weston Peick
As of now I don’t have a ride for outdoors so if anybody needs a 450 rider hit me up!
Chris Plouffe
As of right now I don’t have a ride for the whole outdoor series so I’m still trying to find a ride so I can race the whole series. I did ride outdoors for a couple of weeks during the break from SX so that if I do find a ride I am ready to race. I’m really hoping something will come up so I can race the whole series.
Eli Tomac
We've been riding outdoors in Colorado.
I haven’t really done any actual testing for outdoors. I just been riding it here and there trading off days with SX riding… I think I’ll be able to get through outdoor testing because I have a pretty good idea of what I want suspension wise and bike set up.
Matt Lemoine
Last Thursday got to ride the 450 outdoors for the first time in a while at River Valley MX. Had a blast and now today [Monday] just finished up riding it again at Milican’s facility.
Gavin Faith
I haven't rode any outdoors yet, I'm just focusing on the rest of supercross for now.
Nick Paluzzi
I rode about a month of outdoors on the 450 at all the local SoCal tracks and was feeling good, got everything dialed.
Lance Vincent
Haven’t done any outdoor prep yet…my outdoor bike will be ready Monday after New Orleans so I’ll start testing an doing that good stuff the week after New Orleans.
Derek Anderson
I have been training hard for the nationals. I just got back from California riding for 8 days straight and now just doing my own training and riding at home.
Darryn Durham
I've been riding outdoors for a few days now and just hitting the local California tracks. I'm doing some testing this week.
"Haven’t done any outdoor prep yet…my outdoor bike will be ready Monday after New Orleans so I’ll start testing an doing that good stuff the week after New Orleans." - Lance Vincent
Simon Cudby photo
Casey Hinson
I haven't done a local or pro outdoor race since 2006, so I recently got a bike built for outdoors and have really been putting in my laps on the MX track. Last Saturday I went and raced a Mammoth Qualifier, which was my first MX race since Glen Helen 2006. Did that Saturday and then stayed in town and did the whole family deal for Easter on Sunday.
Jimmy Decotis
Unfortunately, we won't be seeing Jimmy during the outdoors: "Getting ACL surgery tomorrow. 6 month recovery."
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Me! I'm ready for the Nationals.
Hope Townley is ready. I would like to see him do well for TwoTwo.
Got new shocks for my easy chair. New batteries and grips for the remote. TIVO is tuned up. Gave wife money to go shopping. I think I'm ready to.
Can't wait for Hangtown! Braaap!
AHHH the Outdoors, going to be a very competive year in both classes, I hope.. . It has not been a great year for the PC boys inside the stadium walls, I am sure Mitch is ready to see Wilson, Baggett, and Durham go to the front of the class rather than follow those red bikes to the finish line..For the Honda team will we see one or two JB's out there with Wilbur..I have said Barcia should be on a Geico Honda 450 and let Bogle and Hahn do the lite work..the Cushing Cannon showed he will be a threat outdoors with his rides at the last 4 nationals and W Hahn is always fast outdoors if he can find the key to staying off the ground..The Suzuki crew has the their work cut out for them ...can Wharton carry the yellow squad, yes, he has the speed but can Martin put together two moto's, has not yet, Hewitt and Anderson are also fast but unproven outdoors...The big hoopla should be the KTM team with two Outdoor World Champions! Roczen and Musquin should be favorites if they can adjust to the differant style tracks and shorter sprint races...As for Yamaha...Sipes and Cunninham should make a few podiums if all things fall in to place..
In the 450's, it will be who can hang with the Ryans..those two have proven they have the speed and stamina, they are the cream of the crop. Honda will be well represented with Brayton T Hahn and Townley, but they all have had issues with consistantcy and injures in the past...Thats why I think Barcia needs to be on the Geico 450 Honda, week in an week out he would be Red's best chance for podiums...Again Suzuki will have its work cut out for them, Metty is a great outdoor rider and will put in the work, but is the team solid behind him, the factory shake up may have cost them more than we know..Then there is JGR...Milsaps can be a force outdoors, but can he be consistant...will Stewart race, if he does, we all know he can go fast,but can he do it for 30 plus 2, that we have not seen for several years...Only question I can really answer is :Who is ready for the outdoors? I am..
@BD 25 Alex Martin got third and that would be a podium finish last year @ one of the races out east. That can't be done without putting together two good motos. Unless I am missing something. And he has turned up his game in SX this year (8th in points last I checked) and that would be after 2 dnfs. He was 8th in points at the end of the year last year after a slow start to the season. He repeatedly finished ahead of the whole factory Honda team- all this out of a boxvan while driving to most of the races. Watch this boy and look out for his younger brother too. Sorry to correct you as your posts are usually legit to me, but these guys live right down the road from me and I don't forget their accomplishments. (how could I? Darn near hurt myself jumpin' off the couch when Alex holeshote the second moto!
And yeah, I'm ready for the doors too. Can't wait!
Bucky I was refering to Martin Davolos with Suzuki.. your right Little A will be another rider who will be in the hunt
I should have been clearer with my post, I am sure I have missed others too...so many fast guys ..who else can we expect to see up front...Bucky willhave to have a cold one with you if I get to make Millville again this year..Zumbro Falls still have that nice little tavern?
They left off 3 riders.........
Ryan Villopoto, " yes I have been testing and it is going REALLY well, I plan on taking it to these boys come Hangtown "!
Ryan Dungey," I am just about ready to head outdoors, I feel good and I am confident. I plan on giving Villopoto everything I've got and see where it shakes out "!
James Stewart, " Outdoors, what outdoors? Are you serious, do you have any idea what kind of shape you have to be in, to have success outdoors? Do you know how hard it is and how committed you have to be? No, the only laps I will be pounding this summer will be around the lake on a wakeboard "!
RV1 will be ready, he is a product of Skynet.
I can only hope that a few of the top guys are getting healthy and ready for the Nationals. I surly am but I only watch now on TV. But I hope not as many injuries man it killed SX for me. But I will be at the dome Saturday ( can't wait) they better get going now that RV is already done with SX it could be bad for all else and I'm sure Stewert will have his share of reasons why he can't make it ,what a let down if he doesn't go outdoors but we all can only wait. Good luck to all the riders and lets get ready to rumble.
I cant wait either. Close to working out a deal with RV to sit backwards on the back of his bike and film all of the Nationals live... should be fun.
@ MustardDog....
That's some funny stuff.......good one.
I'm ready! Got the the CZ 400 all dialed in, put some extra padding on the old rocker, and freed up some hours on my dvr to record the nationals.
Can't wait, I Hope someone has something for RV or it could get real boring!!
Lites class "should" be a WAR!!! LOT'S of REAL fast dudes...But this has been the case before and it always seems like 1 or 2 guys have the edge. But maybe we will see 7 or 8 winners??
Having some initial testing issues with my SSR (single spring recliner). It keeps pulling to the right. Hope to have this worked out shortly and be ready for Hangtown
How come they didnt ask Stewart?? Anyone think he is ready?? LOL!!!
BillC, every year we say that 7-8 guys can win. But every year only 3-4 will have a faster pace that will win.
@beancanyon: LMAO! I can't think of anybody that will stay with RV and Dungey but hope there is more.
RV is not going to have a cake walk in the nationals, RD will be fast, although I do think RV will win the championship in convincing fashion. JS should have some highlight crashes that can be used for commercials for next years nationals.
Havent done any outdoor riding yet. Got the FLH up on the lift working on it. Broken ankle is almost healed up. Still need new cylinders and pistons for the FXLR, then put it together. On the trusty 92 YZ I still have to rebuild the Ohlins shock and Take apart the forks and rebuild them also. Then I will be ready for the Nationals. Oh that is a good Idea I need new shocks on my Lazy boy recliner also.and get a bottle of MD 20/20 for proper hydration.
"Jimmy Albertson
I rode outdoors one day on my SX bike just because our track was prepped really good but other than that I haven’t touched an outdoor track in a long time. For me outdoors comes so natural that I really only need a day or two to be ready"
@BD-WOW-small world! Yes, as you may know, we flooded a couple years ago, but all is good. Two remodeled taverns in town and even a new pizza place. Would love to hook up with you for a beer. Ripdown may be coming this year as well! If I can do anything to make your trip better, let me know. Where are you from? Chat with you soon. Bucky
Bucky I am an Okie from near Perry,OK. In 88 or 89, we partied at both bars, one had a really good band....we had a blast there, then went Red Lobster..later that night I got locked out of my room in my under wear....long story ....lol ...been to Millville ten or eleven times..one year we showed up a week early ..Johnny thought that was funny...Always a good time!!!!!!
Funny stories! Sounds like you know your way around Spring Creek for sure! Still willing to assist if needed. Camped out at the track many times myself. Crazy bunch of people back in the day. Tamed down quite a bit now unless you go a mile down the road to Meadow Valley MX. They party pretty hard down there. I live right in ZF so being a small community, I know all these guys, everybody kinda knows everybody, even the people out in the country. You partied at "The Palace Bar" and I most likely was there, as it was the hangout back then. Good times!
We will stay in touch, I have family in North Dakota, suppose to go to Jamestown for party in July...I enjoy myself when up that way for sure...all good people!!!
Will do. Let me know if you are ever in the area. We will tip a few for sure!