10 Things to Watch: Hangtown
Friday, May 18, 2012 | 11:15 AM
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PrintBy Aaron Hansel and Chase Stallo
Champ’s Challenge
Reigning Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 250 Champion Dean Wilson was looking good to defend his national title several weeks ago, until a run-in with Eli Tomac in Seattle, as well as a couple of hard crashes a week later in Salt Lake City, left him with an injured shoulder. For several days his status was questionable, and although Wilson has been declared healthy enough to race, will his shoulder hold up for two brutal motos at the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic, one of the roughest races on the entire circuit?
Blitzkrieg
We’ve seen plenty of raw, blazing speed from Ken Roczen in supercross, both this year and last, but we have yet to see him compete in American Motocross. Well, come Hangtown, the wait is finally over, as the MX2 title holder will be making his outdoor debut in America. With the world champ going up against guys like Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, Dean Wilson, Marvin Musquin, Blake Baggett, Justin Bogle, Kyle Cunningham, Wil Hahn, Blake Wharton, Ivan Tedesco, and more, this year’s group of 250 riders is sure to deliver the bar-banging, block-passing, heart-stopping action we’ve come to expect and love from the class.
James Stewart makes his return to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown.
Simon Cudby photo
Anticipation
If you aren’t excited about the return of James Stewart, you’re either not a fan of motocross, or you’ve got no pulse. The former champ hasn’t raced outdoors (unless you count a one-time race at Unadilla in 2010) since his perfect 24-0 season in 2008, and it’s going to be interesting to see how he stacks up after sitting the series out for three straight years. If you aren’t a Stewart fan, you’re excited about the prospect of him getting smoked. If you love the guy, you’re excited about his potential return to glory and dominance. Either way, his presence is sure to shake things up a bit, on the track and on message boards across the internet.
The Alumni
James Stewart isn’t the only one making his return to racing this year, both Ivan Tedesco and Ryan Hughes will be lining up to do battle this weekend at the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic. Hughes has a one-time deal set up to race a 450 with Rock River/Moto Star, while Tedesco, the 2005 250 national champion, is set to race the whole series aboard a Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki. How will these veterans fair in their respective classes?
Making the Jump. Again.
Star/Valli Yamaha rider Ryan Sipes is no stranger to a 450. In fact, he even spent the entire 2010 outdoor season aboard one with the MotoConcepts Team, ending the year eighth in points. Sipes dropped back down to a 250 for 2011, but thanks in part to illness, finished the season in 21st. This weekend at the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic, Sipes will once again throw a leg over a big bike, as he will be competing in the 450 class all year long. Will Sipes fall victim to more strange luck, or will he get a taste of some of the success he experienced in 2010?
Ashley Fiolek and Jessica Patterson begin their duel for WMX supremacy at Hangtown.
Simon Cudby photo
Starting Over
After losing her WMX crown to Ashley Fiolek last year, Jessica Patterson is starting 2012 completely fresh. In fact, she’s even switched teams, and will be riding an RMZ250 with the Rockstar Energy Drink Suzuki squad. This is the first time the team has ever supported a WMX racer; will Patterson gel with her new team and draw first blood at the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic?
Two-Stroke; Pulp Edition
Racer X colleague Steve Matthes, and notorious two-stroke hater, has turned cheek and decided to throw his hat in the two-stroke ring. All kidding aside, Matthes is a great journalist, turning what started as a side project, PulpMX, into a place besides this site to go for moto news. This weekend PulpMX and privateer Chris Blose will join the two-stroke revolution. Although the two-stroke has been sited at a professional event as recently as this supercross season, with privateers Ricky Renner and Ryan Smith each giving it a run, no one with the resume of Blose has given the two-stroke a go this side of the pond in quite some time. (Ken Roczen raced the KTM two-stroke at a GP round last year). Can Blose overcome the odds and contend on the two-smoke this weekend at Hangtown?
Changes are a Coming
In the every revolving 24-hour news cycle sometimes it’s easy to miss a thing or two. But don’t worry we are here to catch you up. Let’s start with in-season signings; James Stewart left JRG Yamaha to sign with Yoshimura Suzuki. JGR quickly responded by picking up Kyle Regal. Muscle Milk Honda made an official announcement yesterday that Tommy Hahn would replace the injured Trey Canard for the remainder of 2012. And in a bizarre twist of fate Ivan Tedesco will make a return to the 250 class aboard the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team, replacing the departed Tyla Rattray who will fill-in for the injured Ryan Villopoto. And last be not least Troy Lee Designs tabbed Billy Laninovich to fill-in for the first five rounds, while Ohlins Langston Motorsports signed rookie Zack Freeberg for the remainder of 2012.
A slew of riders will be making the switch to the 450 outdoors. The Star/Valli Yamaha duo of Nico Izzi and Ryan Sipes will be contesting the 450 class. As will Tyla Rattray who is filling-in for defending champion Ryan Villopoto aboard the Monster Energy Kawasaki team. Also making the jump to the 450 class will be HRT Racing’s Matt Lemoine, Troy Lee Designs Billy Laninovich, MotoConcepts’ Vince Friese and Ohlins Langston Motorsports KTMs Les Smith.
And just in case you missed this one. After Ben Townley suffered a season ending injury TwoTwo Motorsports will NOT have a fill-in rider for the 2012 Nationals.
Rattray will make his 450 debut at Hangtown, filling in for the injured Ryan Villopoto.
Simon Cudby photo
Welcome to the Big Leagues
Long time Troy Lee Designs amateur standout Jessy Nelson, who wasn’t expect to turn pro until after Loretta’s, will now make his pro debut at Hangtown as previously reported by our own David Pingree. The multi-time amateur champion, along with Jeremy Martin, headline a stacked 2012 graduating class. Can Nelson, like Barcia, Tomac, and Bogle in recent years, hit the ground running in the pro ranks and make a splash at the opener?
Rockstar Revival?
All the hype and headlines entering the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic have surrounded GEICO Honda and Pro Circuit Kawasaki in the 250 class. And justifiably so. These two teams have made the 250 class their own personal playground. But keep an eye out on the rising Rockstar Energy Suzuki squad this year. Blake Wharton returns to the Nationals after missing all of last season and should contend for podiums. And let’s not forget about the red-hot Jason Anderson and Martin Davalos, who ended the Supercross season with podium finishes. Will Rockstar Energy Suzuki be able to make the 250 class a three-team dance or will GEICO and Pro Circuit continue their dominance?
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When the lights go off on supercross and racing hits the daylight with the launch of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, everyone gets to start over. Page 110.
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Wrong place, but I hope JS7 read Gary Bailey's article linked here. I never made it out of B class, but running open novice on an 85YZ250, up against CR500's & YZ-490's, once I learned to use the clutch correctly, especially on the starts, I holeshot 70% of my moto's. I read an article by the Hurricane in MXA explaining this in a way I could visualize it, the rest was history. Like a small town tractor pull, keep that front end barely off the ground & use the clutch to maintain & maximize traction. Full Pull or holeshot every time. Great article professor.
Yes and Bailey called him "the fastest man on the planet" That alone will get people fired up!! LOL I was one to use the clutch a LOT also. never don't have a finger on it till this dayu!!
@BIllC - I believe he said "WAS" the fastest man on the planet, but I'd have to double check.
Baileys article was very interesting....If you compare James riding style on the Kawasaki to that of his style on the Yamaha, you can see that he had to change his style in may facets.....Now you look at James on the Suzuki and you see his old style and form coming back...The picture above showes James with finger(s) on the clutch, one of the critiques Bailey mentioned...So who knows what will happen..In all of JS7 interviews, he isnt predicting wins or domination...he is just going to have "fun"...ala Chad Reed last year....and look what Reed did....so 24 more hours and we'll know what to expect....cant wait ...MOTOCROSS!!!!!
Where did Gavin Faith end up ? Back at Geico?
Yes Gary made a few good points and some pics to back up what he was talking about. It shows a lack of aggression or the non attack mode by James. Maybe he will read the article.
I didn't see a word about RD...maybe nothing needed to be said since he's considered the guy to beat this year? I just thought it was interesting.
Also....How many races before JS7 cuts thost locks.....that fro-mop has to be warm under the helmet.....buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Indeed CZ - If you watch James in 2009 footage first year on the YZ...there is a totally different style than the past 2 years with the "new" YZ....Heck, watch some footage of him on the Suzuki from the past week or two and then go watch some JGR press riding footage or some of the SX races from 2011/2012....almost looks like a different guy riding.....weird....comfort is confidence...confidence is comfort.....time will only tell....
Well said Mr MX....well said....in regards to all the "reality" crap....
JS7 was the fastest rider on the planet. Now it is James the lawn dart Stewart the fastest man ON TO the planet. Janes Strted out as a green lawn dart switched to a blue lawn dart and now will become a yellow lawn dart.
@arm01
No that MOO GOO GIPAN
"If you aren’t excited about the return of James Stewart, you’re either not a fan of motocross, or you’ve got no pulse."
WRONG!!!! I will be excited when he, the overblown hype, constant excuses, whining and the MX media love affair for the whole "Stewart machine" are gone for good. Newsflash to everyone-especially MX media: The sport will be better off when he is gone. This sport isn't built for whiny spoiled brats and all the political correctness that comes with the likes of James Stewart. Of all the attention JM brought to SX, I think he set a precedent for some like Stewart, Lawrence, and Barcia(he's getting better) to think of themselves as entitled. This is a man's sport! How about a new rule: You don't run the nationals, you don't run that little specialized and overrated (though I do love it) series we call Supercross. I don't hate JS7 so I don't "love to hate" JS7. I'm simply sick of hearing about him. What has he done in 3 years???!!! Just shut up until the brat does something worth writing or yapping about. And even if that happens, please don't get all tingly and starry eyed over him media members.
Thank you RV, RD, TC and CR for kicking his butt the last few years and hopefully helping him move on to the next phase of his life. Maybe he will go to NASCAR and go after Richard Petty's records! Think JGR wants any part of that kind of arrogance now? Speaking of JGR, I wonder if they ever sit around and ask themselves why they so blindly went after that flashy, super-hyped JS7 while there was another rider named Ryan Dungey available also....
matthes really does hate two strokes. i think he is sponsoring one just to hate on it
Yes he did say "WAS".. I ment just the fact that he said FMOP... lots of people hate that term.
His bench mark is RV... The FMOP!!! LOL
@ KilloMoto
A BIG "SUP" in hangtown .. I wish they would let us post picks from the racetrack live that would be cool
MR-MX Deadmau5 & faceman said HI... We are talking to Decoster about the KTM bunch...Man I'll tell you the HYPE around this track is off the charts.I dont think we had the same buzz at the start of last year. Then you throw the Euro at it ,a lot of unknowns.......Later
A BIG "SUP" Hangtown 2012 STYLE
@ BD25
@ Caseyponds
@ VistaJim
HEY WE JUST SAW Mathes what a fart-knocker
Haha..Mit12, I totally agree.
@ RCRDDW
J-Bone helped entice him thinking it would be like old day's. The second he signed on the dotted line he knew he made a bad buisness decision, hence that's what I would call "HAND GATE " started you herd it from me first.. that was his out "card" works every time !!!
No Motocross on Speed this year?
@RCRDDW...do you know what else a lot of people are sick of??? Negative whiny a-holes like you who get on here and spit out your non stop smack talk bullcrap!!! As much as you hope for the demise and departure of JS, many people...MANY people still enjoy watching the guy ride and i personally would like nothing more than to see him get back to winning a lot...then maybe worthless wastes of space like you will go away!!!
I like Tedesco alot, but thats gonna be a hard task, to go run with them young wild and crazy kids... Those dudes have no kids, Not had as many years making money, so they are trying hard to impress, and have a way higher fear level before they tone it down.
Another thing I think will be tough is going down in cc's . After years of riding with 450 power, thats gonna be tough to rumble around with that much less power. I am just Joe Schmoe nobody, who doesn't mean a thing to anyone of that level, but when I try to bump down to a 250f after years on big bikes, man is it hard. A 450 spoils ya, and honestly kinda ruins your aggressiveness. Atleast did for me....
@ pugue
are you for real !!!! Have you ever riden.I'll buy you a pair of pants on the backI'll put "Cant fix Stupid " EUG UP SPELLED BACK WORDS
Looks like James Stewart got a preview of The Professor's article. Let's see if he moves his feet back and gets his knees up when applicable too.
@ newguy, you sure get your feathers ruffled and start the name calling rather easily.
I saw your response to my post of the gallery. I am sure you do want James the media darling to win a lot. I hope he and Dungey have a 12 race, 24 moto battle that comes down to the seasons end. I am not a James fan but in order for me to see the kind of series I want to see, he will have to win.
If James and Dungey win it is good for the sport and good for each of their teams.
I just want Dungey to win more! Either way for James, title or no title, the pictures and atricles will keep coming in bunches! The best thing for our sport is for him to race all 24 motos and have a good year. Then hopefully we will see a healthy 2013 season with a full deck of very fast MO FO's.
Thanks for the shout out HM..enjoy Hangtown ..to misquote PInk Floyd ..Wish I were there...
My Ten; 450's Will KTM and Dungey have any outdoor growing pains? I know Stewart is fast but can he go full tilt for 30+2? Can Alessi take his MotoConcepts bike to the front againt the Factory bikes? Will Milsaps Brayton and Weimer still be the best of the rest? Which fill in will show they deserve the ride?
250's Are the Geico Hondas better outdoors with out PC? Can Bogle pick up where he left off last year? Will the Euro Duo at KTM deliever? Which BB will show up the amazing or the average? Will Wharton slash his way onto the box?
Extra ? Are you ready for some Great Outdoors???? Can I get a Hell Ya!!!
Was there any diecast of stewart ever put out under JGR label ???? just asking...
I took Baileys school for 3 days at Glen Helen and raced REM on day 4 and broke my arm! It had nothing to do with the class but I can tell you that when you have raced for 30 years one way and someone wants to change all that in 3 days it just doesn't work that way. I have always ridden with my finger on the clutch but I had always rode on my arches and that is not an easy habit to break, I still find myself doing it at times. I think it is easy for Gary to point out JS7s crashes with no finger on the clutch, but you could also look at everyone with their finger on the clutch and they are crashing too! I bet Reed had his finger on the clutch going up the face of that jump at Millville and it didn't do him much good there. James has never rode with his finger on the clutch and he was 2 seconds faster than anyone a few years ago. So for Gary to say that's the problem doesn't quite make sense. I think that James lost focus and training and started making mistakes and then lost his confidence and it is all in his head. I have never thought that the JGR Yamaha was not capable of winning. But who am I ? With Stewart only having Dungey to contend with if he could get 3 or 4 wins in a row I think he would get his confidence back and it could be trouble for everyone. I forgot to include Rattrey and he could be a contender for this title also! There is a lot of guys hurt but I think the racing should still be great, the 250 class could be the best season ever!!! Can't wait!
Proffessor Bailey says Stewart never uses the clutch- even when he was on 80's. What I cant figure out is how do you ride a KX125 that fast without using the clutch? Right now Stewart seems like he is about where Tyson was at when he fought Holyfield the first time. He used to have a good 'peek-a-boo style' defense and put big combinations together- but now he was keeping his gloves lower and tying to get it all done with one big shot- his skills had eroded to being just ordinary after all his fame and fortune distractions- plus three years in the joint. Success got the better of him just like Stewart. I remember on the 125- David Bailey used to comment that everything Stewart did was 'perfect', body position, timing and everything- now he rides on his arches and wont put his finger on the clutch. Sounds like Stewart needs to hire Gary Bailey to be his coach. Cant wait til tomorrow- I need a motocross FIX. 'Just one fix' -ministry.
I also took Baileys MX school in '72, I was 13yrs. old on a Bultaco Sherpa S (preceded the Pursang). I got smacked with a stick by him on my clutch hand ALOT, I really thought that I was doing something else wrong cause I was used to getting my hands beat everyday by Nuns at school.
Hey where is Andy's 'Rev Up' article ? and isn't it alittle late in the day D.C. for Racerhead # 20 not out yet ? Come on , we're all Jonesin' Bro. Gonna be an Awesome MX tomorrow !!!
@Scrub-This,, Can you hop a a 450 and beat JS on a motocross track ??
@RCRDDW, very well said. James Stewart is a stain on this great sport, which will take a long time to wash out. The sooner he's gone the better. Unfortunately, he's lucky enough to have what it takes to win, but his past results are absolutely disgusting for a rider with the talent that he has. He had more natural talent than RC, who had 10 450 national titles at this point in his career, James has 1. Nobody can deny that he has fallen unbelievably short of his expectations, all due to his own poor handling of himself and his business. For quite a while, I welcomed James' challenge to Ricky, and really respected him as a rider, but now I can honestly say I despise everything about him due to his actions over the past few years.
Count on pizzacorner to spread some hate.
I will call this right now! I think Bagget will win by at least 10 seconds! I don't think he can win the title because he is a head case but he has been waiting for MX and I think his head is in the right place for this one. Also, I don't think Barcia will be a contender, I hope he can win because I'm a fan but his outdoor skills are not as good as his SX skills. Tomac is the guy that I think can up his game from his results last season. Now that I have said this I'm sure I will look like a fool Sunday morning. Can't wait, I love the outdoors! IMO an outdoor title is much more worthy and proves so much more than a SX title, and in the 250 class you can double that!!!
33 year old tim ferry.. 30 second leads over chad reed in 06-07. Catching and passing chad reed from 30 seconds back to win while battling with RC stalking the goat for 20 laps and executing a last lap pass for the lead. 25 points back to win a championship in 09. ass whoopin at unadilla against a 250f. most dominating 125 rider in a world of 4 strokes. last to first in his first race back from injury.
Reed never had the upper hand on James in his career until the last two years. He said himself that he would rather race James on a yamaha than another bike because he knew his head was not in the right place. Scared? maybe.
we can all dig up history. lets just see what kind of James Stewart comes to the races this time.
cant wait for hangtown. i live on the west coast and fuel tv is having a whole bunch of stuff from last year and some moto in the outdoors! so im getting up at 3 am and watching mx for 11 hours straight!:P cant wait for the gate to drop!!! wish rv was there im cheering on rd and for the lites im pulling for either k roc of tomac. only 24 hours!!!!!
@Scrub-This
Not sure if you know this but, I am a Stewart fan. A Stewtard? I don't think so. Although I am a fan of him, I have no problem pointing out that he is not as good as he once was. Atleast not in the last few years. Has he ever been better than RC? Maybe for a couple mains and a few moto's but I don't think anyone anytime soon is going to be as dominant as that guy was.
For the sake of entertainment and a riders well being, I hope we get some of Bubba stewart back this summer. If we don't, I won't be surprised but I will be a little upset.
Hey scrub, are you going to be at Lakewood or Millville by chance?? I'm growing weary of reading your garbage on here and would like the opportunity to go face to face with you!! Let me know and we'll get it worked out, and i am not kidding or hiding behind my keyboard.....i'll bring the sentiments of many others on here along with me...do let me know!! Thanks jerk-off!!
@ Mr-MX Its not what pizza shop, its more what corner will he be working. lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWVsbXfWyYE
Has anybody pointed out to you that RV won the SX title this year in a year where all of competition was out for several races, many by the halfway point when he only had a 13 point lead?? You wanna bag James 24-0 season...well this SX title was meaningless too then d-bag!! Fact, you cannot deny it!! He wasnt dominating the first half when everybody was there either...oh and last years MX title=************** (thats an asterisk) Dungey had him covered on the riding side, good thing for RV that RD had a mechanical......get off the redheads nuts until he beats all the guys he's supposed to beat in a full season.......and NO JS wasn't a factor this year in SX.......24-0 is respectable in any field you loser!! Dont forget to let me know where we can meet sweetie!!
Holy sh-t you are an idiot........you can't gather what it is that "ruffled my feathers"?? You are dumber than i thought!! Oh, and i never said anything about violence love......just wanna go face to face...what races will you be at?? I'm looking to attend one venue i have never been to yet.......let me know!!:)
It's good to know that you agree about RV and his last two titles......you must have a few brain cells still working!!
....nah, face to face still sounds better....what races will you be at?? No reason to fear anything fella!
He wont be able to pugue...he'll dance around it like he always does, refer to historical babble and poiny his fingers at JS fans......he's a clown!!
point not poiny
you guys are being immature
At this point I dought anybody cares but I read a while back that when james was still racing as an amature he would have to practice without a clutch because they really did not have much money and could not afford to be replacing clutches every day. Big James would save it for the race. Maybe some people didnt' know this but the stewarts did not come rolling in the races in big motorhomes with backup bikes and and all the extras. He's a good kid and regardless of what some of you think he's earned it.
What a weenie!!
Thanks "tommyo", thanks for a sensible unbiased comment......and like him or not, what you say is true.
Great stuff guys!! LOL
New Guy come out east, Would like to meet ya, Southwick?? Unadilla?? let me know. Botjh are great tracks!!
anyone going to washuogal?
RED BUD Baby!!
A glance at the tone of many of these comments affirms my decision not to take part!
Southwick would be cool........i'll let ya know........oh no, you aren't threatening to beat me up are you??? hahahaha @scrub, dude, be real, the way you elude to racial things on here makes it pretty clear what you feel insidfe...ya ya i know it is your game to try and reason your way out of just admitting it with scientific facts, but seriously, THAT is what ruffles my feathers bud...there you have it...your racial insinuations and JS does/gets something "because he is black" bullsh-t you pull out (you did yesterday) that pisses me off...i don't give a crap if you like him or not, to each his own......do you understand now?? Oh god, here comes more psycho-babble!!
@pugue....exactly, it is pointless!! Enjoy the race tomorrow!!
Thanks for the compliments. Just telling it like it is. I don't mind a disagreement or a little heated debate but come on guys read your posts.
You are a sad case dude!! I have no more time for you!! You have proven nothing, you mean nothing....carry on with your personal struggle with James Stewart and those who support him.......no sh-t life is bigger than MX/SX and it is WAY bigger than you and your obsessions also. I plan on enjoying the hell out of a certain time period between gate drops and checkered flags for the next few months.....that is what matters...GO BUBBA!! GO RD5!! Stay healthy boys!! I wash my hands of you scrub-this....the rest of you should do the same (except for those in bed with him)......HANGTOWN BABY!!
NO newguy, nobody has ever pointed out that some top guys were injured during RV's title run. Especially not any JS7 fans......
It has only been beaten to the ground by everyone who does not like RV2. Fact is, he was winning when everyone was healthy. Give it a freakin rest. It is never the winners fault when all the competition fails, gets hurt or pulls out. Just like it was not his fault or Dungeys or Reeds that Stewart did not race outdoors the previous 3 years.
It was also not Stewarts fault that Ferry was the best guy racing when he went 24-0.
Scrubthis is going to argue against James to the end, you know that, but when you and some of these other total clowns on here start taking shots at RV, RC and others it is the same sh&t you are complaining about.
This is an opinion board, sometimes we just can't sway other peoples opinion.
Sunday on here is going to be a real treat, hope we see some awesome racing with more than 2 guys on the 450's. The 250's should be flat out warfare!
Enjoy!
If you want to know terror, you must travel deep inside the brain to the almond-shaped region known as the amygdala.