450 Words: Thunder Valley
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No doubt, the 450 class of Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross has been decimated by injuries. Headliners Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed are out, and now James Stewart’s status is uncertain (hopefully we’ll know more about Stewart’s wrist soon). And those are just a few of the riders who have been banged up this year.
However some riders are beginning to experience some breakthroughs, and the 450 class results in Lakewood provide the proof. At the head of the list is Rockstar Valli-Star Yamaha’s Nico Izzi, who is experiencing a career renaissance on a 450. Speed has never been a problem for the former amateur phenom, but consistency has been non-existent over the last few years. So far outdoors in 2012, he’s fixing that, scoring 10-11-4-5-5 finishes in five of the first six motos this year. His one zero score—the second moto at Freestone, only came after he was running a solid fourth again in moto two, until he crashed on his own, late. Such solidity from Izzi represents a surprising turnaround. We’ll see how long he can keep this up.
Nico Izzi has been the feel good story of the year thus far.
Simon Cudby photo
Lakewood welcomed Michael Byrne back into the top ten via 12-7 scores and eighth overall. Byner broke his neck in a practice crash during the offseason (due to a derailed chain) so his comeback has been long and painful. Michael has battled back from injuries to produce solid results late in the National schedule before, and he could be setting himself up for that again.
Speaking of comebacks, Billy Laninovich was retired from racing a year ago at this time. After a solid supercross Lites season, Lucas Oil Troy Lee Honda grabbed Bad Billy to fill in for the injured Christian Craig, and he delivered real results in Colorado. After scoring zero points through the first four motos, Laninovich went 11-8 at Colorado for ninth overall. That’s his first top ten overall in a National in a long time. How long? He went 10-14 for tenth overall at Washougal in 2008. Welcome back, Billy.
Byrne found his mojo in Thunder Valley.
Simon Cudby photo
A few other riders saw top-ten finishes as the possibility of good things to come. Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Brayton had terrible performances in the first two rounds, but moved forward with 9-6 scores and seventh overall. And Izzi’s teammate Ryan Sipes, riding with a broken bone in his hand, put together a good ride in moto one for sixth. A rough second moto put him in 15th overall.
With bad news has seemed to dominate the stories this year, some riders are hoping to find some bright spots before the year is done. These are the riders who made steps toward that over the weekend.
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Glad for Izzi........Hope he keeps his head on straight and keeps it going
through the whole outdoors. Him and Millsaps seem to be the only ones
that can ride that Yz.......Think Regal is thinking twice about making that JGR move..
Every dog has his day, and I don't mean this in a bad way. AMA pros are the embodiment of the "never say die" attitude. The guys cruising around from spots 10 through 30 at a national motocross are some of the baddest people on the planet!
@foundwood - excellent point. In the process of following the top 5 guys in the sport we sometimes forget there are 35 other guys out there with loads of talent that would kick ass in any local race and destroy anyone posting on here. I commend them for their dedication and for having the gumption to line up and give their best effort, sometimes racing out of the back of a pickup.
Seems kind of strange that I haven't seen any shots of "The Man" in 4 motos. Roger must really be working behind the scenes!
Saw the crash on youtube, somebody had a really good angle and got it with an HD camera, but the way Stewarts wrist bent back like stretch armstrong made me wince. I really hope he makes it back, but I doubt he will, not with the way his wrist looked in that crash. He's got nothing to prove. To anybody. Especially all the clowns that poison these threads. Lets hope the rest of the field stays on 2 wheels, and we have a full line-up come 2013.
Also, His GoPro got ripped off in the crash. Kind of crazy the network got their hands on it so fast, yet not a single official shot of him going down with their cameras. Little bizarre.
Weege, thank goodness you ended the JS-speak in the first paragraph. While that is undoubtedly the biggest story of the week, I feel it's been discussed into the ground already and I for one am ready to hear about the rest of the field.
I'm unclear on why Milsaps missed Colorado. Was it for his kids birth or injury?
Either way, he was doing well on the YZF450. Speaking of 'Ole Blue, Nicco Izzi's rides on that bike have been eye-openers. With more performances like that, people are going to start wondering why he's not getting a shot on the factory team..........whhhhaaatttt????? there IS no factory team???
Not taking away from Tickle (PC) or Weimer (factory) but, I could imagine Josh Grant putting that spare (RV1 then TR28) KX450F to good use.
I've always been a believer top 5 or so guys didn't need any help in the "cheerleading" dept, but those in 12th, 22nd and so on, those are where the meat is. I try to pick out a few guys in that cluster each year and wave 'em on.
As Mr-Mx says, let's not forget Trey Canard, who would be in the Big 5. It's a bummer we've got so many injuries this year.
@Carlsbad.....DM hurt himself the Thursday prior, and sustainrd some severe internal brusing. He tried to ride practice but was unable to compete so he sat out both motos. haven't heard anything specific from JGR tho.......
All of us need to put to rest this JS issue. He has commented, and thats that. Life goes on (if you let it).
I agree w/ carlsbad. put Josh Grant on rv's bike and let him rip
Not that I want to see Dunge go out of this series, but just think how close the finishes would be all series long if he goes down. Nice to see Nico running so good. Reppin' St. Clair Michigan strong!!
Anyone see the Kyle Regal interview during the live broadcast ??? When they were asking about elevation and training etc...I dont think the kid even got an audible sentence out....you know the producers put that in for pure comedy.....that kid cant even talk....
I may have missed it through all the babbling about “photographer-gate”, but I’m pretty sure this is the first time KTM has won a premier-class national, and the first time they have lead the series.
hope we will see izzy with JGR in future ,could get him and them into that podium pack.
Thanks Golfyoda & OrganDoner!
@ MX Bob, With the exception of Alessi's 350 moto win @ Hangtown and Brayton's moto win a few years back @ (?), you're 100% right.
This bit of info was overshadowed by the JS-incident at Thunder Valley. Obviously, the JS story has more universal appeal to "newsies" throughout the industry compared to the KTM story but, it still is newsworthy. Maybe Racer X will show some love in a special article devoted to the milestone.....I'll start holding my breath now........
Thanks Golfyoda & OrganDoner!
@ MX Bob, With the exception of Alessi's 350 moto win @ Hangtown and Brayton's moto win a few years back @ (?), you're 100% right.
This bit of info was overshadowed by the JS-incident at Thunder Valley. Obviously, the JS story has more universal appeal to "newsies" throughout the industry compared to the KTM story but, it still is newsworthy. Maybe Racer X will show some love in a special article devoted to the milestone.....I'll start holding my breath now........
Double posting...........is redundant.
All the guys that line up deserve a BIG THUMBS UP!!! They all put in alot of work to be able to ride at that level. I wish I had a just a little of their drive and determination! Really what fun would a national be with out them?
Preston which section on Pulp are you referring to, I would like to listen.
pizzacorner=dooooooooosssshhhhhhhhh bag!!!! hahahahahahahah.....flippin' idiot!!