by Andy Bowyer
Rev Up: Southwick
Thursday, August 9, 2012 | 3:10 PM
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PrintHello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. After a two week hiatus, the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is back on the board. Set for a four-round charge to conclusion, the championship is blown out in the 450 Class, as Ryan Dungey has been almost perfect. Although, the resurgence of Mike Alessi commands serious attention. I wasn’t surprised at all to see him figure out a way to win a moto. I’ve seen #800 do that dozens of times when he was an amateur. Very few racers get as much out of their weaknesses as Alessi. Line savy as anyone, and he’ll put you out in the weeds at the end of the moto to win. That’s why I’ve always rooted for him as a motocross racer. He is a phenomenal racer.
But Dungey is a machine. He’s CR22, RV1, JS7 and there isn't another rider in the world right now that can ride at their level. I think Alessi could maybe be there with a factory bike and some confidence, but he isn’t and he’s still doing great and seems happy. I have to give it up to Dungey at this point though. He’s put in gritty rides, easy rides, come-from-behind rides, and looked diamond-like while doing so. Albeit, on a well handling, horsepower-nasty KTM. That team is crushing it and will likely finish strong. Or perfect. Respect.
After a two week break the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship returns this Saturday at Southwick.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Wow, before I go any further...who is stoked about moto coming back this weekend? The racing and the broadcasts have been stellar and I’ve missed the charge! I’m sure you guys are hungry too.
So, let’s talk about Southwick. As unique as she is rare, the sandy chop of Moto-X 338 presents a bit of a pickle. A hell of a thing to run into after a two week summer break to put it mildly. I always loved sand tracks in my racing days though. Scrubbing triples, skimming whoops and drilling a timing section all offer the business. But there is nothing like coming into a sandy berm and organizing the data as you prepare to murder it. Nailing corners on a sand track is unparalleled. Shit, you ever heard of a jump named after a photographer? It’s high-speed, whooped-out, bar-dragging action at The Wick. Man, it gets rough. One of the coolest things I’ve seen at a motocross track is the transition from practice to last moto of the day at Southwick. A sheet of sand emerges into a scene looking like landmines were detonated every ten yards. There really isn’t a flow, and guys are timing out the braking bumps. It’s gnarly. No clue how these guys psycho it for 30 minutes and two laps. Twice.
Thinking about all of this thus far, how about the 250 Class coming into Southwick? There are three riders that can win the championship, and each of their current situations stokes their pedigree. In third, Eli Tomac almost crashed his way out of the supy title, and has had some mistakes which land him 30 points out. Yet, he has shown all season that he has the right stuff. Justin Barcia has gates well, finished well (and won) all series long. That is why he is only 11 points out headed into his strongest track with eight motos to run. The other reason he is 11 points out is because Blake Baggett has been a beast. Bad Blake has won more and been an animal out there. Seen that guy go full hero a half dozen times this summer. He’s a gasser. He's been the guy, but he has to finish the game. This also mirrors his pedigree. Which reminds of a Bob Dylan song, "The times, they are a changing."
What about AMA Horizon winner Zach Bell? Time to man up, rookie. This isn’t Loretta Lynn’s, son. You chose Moto-X 338 to make your debut to the show. Buy the ticket, take the ride. You were putting three seconds a lap on everyone last weekend, but you won’t with these guys. What you can do is harness all of that “this is what I’ve lived my whole life for” yank a start, and put your feet in the concrete. But, don’t underestimate first time rookie speed. These kids put their goggles on a little slower the first time out, and have no fear. Put’em on their feet, rook. You’ll like that feeling.
Yes, sir. Time to go back on the attack. Everyone should be grateful and excited about the days to come in motocross. In closing, I want to just take a moment to reflect on this summer as a whole. It is one we will never get a second chance at, and I hope all of you have done your best. Life is like motocross in that if you want to win it is better to charge ahead, rather than sit back and ponder. Everyone I’ve ever known that is successful has faced hardship, pain, and adversity. And happiness. If that isn’t motocross nothing is. You put your boots on and get ready for the second moto when the bell rings. With enthusiasm and gratitude.
The Bell is ringing for the sands of Southwick. Time to chop wood.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
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Who's ready for some live coverage of the first motos followed by moto 2 of both classes 3 days later? I'm psyched- let's do this!
Awesome write Boyer
Yeah, whoever at the AMA who cut that deal with NBC ought to be looking for another job. 2nd motos at 1 in the afternoon on Monday???? WTF????
It is time to get down to the real "nitty gritty" part of the season and what better track to be at than The Wick...Sand sand and more sand ready to greet the riders after the summer break.
250's: Blazing Blake holds and 11 point lead with 4 races to go, 3 of the four races are on the east coast where Justin Stache feels the most comfortable. Barcia needs to take full advantage of the schedule and win these races. Baggett needs to limit the damage to take the title down to the last round on the west coast where he will be the most at ease. Ahhh if it were that simple, Tomac is still in the running,a little bad luck for 12 and 20 and Sly Eli could move him up close enough to challenge for the title at the last round. But wait, KTM's Euro Duo of Roczen and Musquin are know to be sand specialists and would like nothing better than to garner their first wins of the Great Outdoors at the Wick showing why they have received all their press. Things are just heating up as the summer winds down in this class....
450's: With no title hopes and a contract for next year already secure, will the Gambler show up and lay down his hand, hoping to receive an invite to the Nations race or will James be content to sit at home and finish healing up. Dungey, barring incident, has a tight grasp on the title and will use this race to prepare for the sand of Lomell, where he will ride for his country. Alessi wants to prove he can ride sand and is capable of doing good in Belgium if ask, so I bet he puts in one of his best rides of the year. The rest of the top ten riders will be looking to build as much momentum as they can, since some don't have rides set for next year, these last 8 motos will be all out. And finally, with very little title suspense left at Southwick, all eyes will be on the old guys, Brown and Dowd. Those two are defying time and both could end up with a top ten finish the way they ride in the sand. Here's hoping team Grey can get er done and keep those numbers for another year...
i look forward to southwick every year cuz it always adds something to the title chase like it did in the lites in 09 and 2010 and the 450s in 2011
No #7 for Southwick. Anyone suprised........................anyone?
I've been waiting for the 'Wick for several reasons
1) Roczen will have his best chance for a win here
2) Barcia will have his best chance for a win here thus, tightening up the points even further.
3) We will see who the sand-masters are for the MXdN pick.
4) I haven't biatched about the coverage lately so, this should do the trick. Three days later for 2nd motos is a shame. I guess we don't rate as high as Bowling, shuffleboard, Australian rules fly swatting or any other sport that gets same-day coverage....whoo hoo.
@ mgwest949, it isn't the AMA that sold the coverage, it's the sanctioning body (which, is supposed to be the AMA but, that's another discussion for another day). MXsports (the sanctioning body) took the best deal at the expense of the sport which, is their priveledge having bought & paid for the rights to AMA Pro MX from DMG (Daytona Motorsport Group) who were given the rights from AMA who is in the middle of re-organizing to become more of a political organization thus, screwing their constituancy like any good politician knows how to do. I hope that clears it up for you, because it doesn't for the majority of us.
Whether or not the weather will be a factor ....
NBC hasn't been nearly as bad as some of you have complained (often). Unfortunately, they own the rights to a little event called the OLYMPICS! It's once every four years, guys. No way our sport is going to preempt that. Suck it up. (But I AM glad I’ll see it live. Still look forward to catching the broadcast, though.)
Please bring Speed back!? NBC sports sucks my a**hole! I'd be one thing if everyone got the channel, but that's not the case..
Weather looks pretty decent.
Details for Saturday, August 11
Partly cloudy, chance of a thunderstorm. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid 60s.
I always like the "chance" of a thunderstorm. Way to CYA on that forecast.
Right on cue, Yamaha866. There are no networks that "everyone gets" AND are willing to cover our small sport. SPEED didn't do any better, with few exceptions. NASCAR would bump us the same as the Olympics have on NBC Sports. Yea, it'd be great to get every moto live on a universal channel, but that's not where we are. Go ahead and b!tch (you will anyway), but the reality is we don't have the fan base to pull such a package together. (It's all about the advertising bucks.) Ironically, some of the same people who complain about coverage also moan about anything done to widen viewership (Bestwick, human interest pieces, etc.) ... the very thing that can improve coverage!
To Andy Bowyer - Thanks for a well written article. Thank God Dungey won't have to wait for his bike in this year's second moto...
Well said Carlsbad...well said
Wasen't Jeffrey Herlings supposed to ride Southwick? What happened with that?
How far and long can you carry your 450 up and down deep, sandy hills? We will see who is shape on saturday.
Yesterday, the weather at the Wick was pretty much like its supposed to be on saturday. We even got a short shower. It was low to mid 80's and felt like 110. Air quality, unhealthy. I predict many riders pulling off long before they see checkers. Hell, they may not see crossed flags.
And the award for most flawed argument goes to..... (I can never get these things open).... sef154! I'm usually in agreement with you, but your way off on this one.
The second motos are showing at 9 am for two hours sunday morning central time on nbcsp, second airing at 6pm.
Scratch the nbcsp thing. The second moto's are on fuel at 9 and reair at 6 on SUNDAY just to be clear :)
@Jake511 - How so?