Bench Racing Ammo: Silly Season Update II
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 | 1:20 PM
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PrintBesides one-off events, the 2012 season is over, so much of the news now centers around 2013. Who is riding where? We've compiled a list of what we know, hear and think about 2013 so far. On October 1, expect more news to break as most 2012 deals officially expire. Then, further on, expect more pieces to get filled in. But here's what we know as of today.
American Honda
Trey Canard - Confirmed
Justin Barcia - Confirmed
Note: Justin Brayton is heading back to JGR Yamaha.
GEICO Honda
Zach Bell - Confirmed
Justin Bogle - Confirmed
Zach Osborne - Confirmed
Wil Hahn - Confirmed
Eli Tomac - Confirmed
Kevin Windham - Confirmed
Note: Expect amateur recruit Matt Bisceglia to jump to the pros next year after Loretta's, and the team may sign another amateur or two soon.
TwoTwo Motorsports Honda
Chad Reed -- Confirmed (Yes, Chad will re-sign himself)
Chaparral Honda
Andrew Short -- Will enter second year of a two-year deal.
Note: This team could be on the look out for a second rider.
Lucas Oil Troy Lee Designs Honda
Cole Seely - Confirmed
Christian Craig - Confirmed
Jessy Nelson -- Confirmed
Notes: All three will ride Lites West SX, and Seely and Craig will ride 450s outdoors next summer. Amateur prospect Shane McElrath has been linked to this team, possibly to debut as a pro at Hangtown next summer.
Monster Energy Kawasaki
Jake Weimer -- Confirmed
Ryan Villopoto -- Confirmed
Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Blake Baggett - Confirmed
Darryn Durham - Confirmed
Martin Davalos - Confirmed
Notes: Dean Wilson is heading to the 450s with Jeff Ward Racing, and Broc Tickle will move to another 450 team. One more PC 250 spot remains for next year, we're hearing amateur names possibly linked to it.
Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki
Dean Wilson - Confirmed
Note: Josh Grant had a two-year deal, but it was contingent on the JWR team getting the proper sponsorship arrangement to support it. That has not come together, and we hear JG could end up back at his old team, JGR Yamaha.
Yoshimura Suzuki
James Stewart -- Confirmed
Note: Brett Metcalfe's two-year deal with the team is up. We have heard the team may bring him back.
Rockstar Suzuki
Jason Anderson -- Confirmed
Blake Wharton -- Confirmed
Davi Millsaps (450s indoors and out) -- Confirmed
Nico Izzi (Lites SX and 450 outdoors) -- Confirmed
Ryan Sipes -- Confirmed
MotoConcepts
Mike Alessi -- Confirmed
Jake Canada -- Confirmed
Notes: This team started 2012 as a five-rider squad with Vince Friese, Tommy Weeck and Jeff Alessi. We hear Jeff is off to Europe for a few races, not sure on Friese yet. Weeck was SX only with the team.
Red Bull KTM
Ken Roczen -- Confirmed
Marvin Musquin -- Confirmed
Ryan Dungey -- Confirmed
J-Star JDR KTM
Malcolm Stewart -- Confirmed. Mookie just extended his contract.
Note: PJ Larsen is out after two injury-plagued seasons at JDR. Not sure who will be teammates for Stewart yet.
Langston-Witt KTM
The team had already re-signed Les Smith for 2013, but sources say that suddenly the team has pulled the plug on operations and will not race next year (they will still pay Smith for his 2013 salary). Stay tuned for more on this story.
BTOSports KTM
Michael Byrne -- Confirmed
Matt Goerke -- We hear Goerke, who rode SX for the BTOSports Team in 2012 before heading to Canada and landing the MX1 title there, will be full time for BTOSports in 2013.
JGR Yamaha
Justin Brayton -- Brayton will be back with the team he rode for in 2010-2011.
Josh Grant -- Not confirmed but rumors suggest Grant and Brayton will be teamed again at JGR. It's 2010 all over again!
Star Valli Yamaha
Jeremy Martin -- Confirmed
Kyle Cunningham -- Confirmed
Notes: When Star and Valli merged last year that left them with a lot of riders. How many will they bring back for 2013? They also have amateur Cooper Webb in the ranks for a debut sometime next year.
Hart and Huntington
Lots of rumors surrounding this team, including a Suzuki tie-up with Ricky Carmichael's involvement. Broc Tickle has been linked to this outfit. We also hear Josh Hansen may be out. Tickle should be on board for indoors and out, the team will have one other 450 rider, possibly for SX only. Ivan Tedesco may stay with the team in that spot.
Remember, this is not a comprehensive list of every rider and team for 2013--but it's what we know to this date.
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dayamm. I really wanted to see marvin musquin on a pc kawi next season
I heard rattray was going to langston KTM. guess not. wheres he going?
I would be willing to be AC92 will fill the last spot on PC for 2013. He turns 16 in october. It will be interesting to see how he does if he turns pro. He has dominated everything he has raced so far. Will be cool to see how he handles against the top guys out there.
It would be cool to see H&H partner up with Carmichael and Suzuki. Fingers crossed for a healthy season for most riders. Lots of fast riders in both classes contending for those titles. Cant wait for January!
Please Jeff dont go do G.P.s your gunna make U.S.A. look like shit! You dont even try hard here dont go make a fool of your self and the rest of us.
I look for Les Smith to end up with the H&H Carmichael Suzuki team. I think he will ride lites on the east coast and 450's outdoors. He spent a lot of time testing this summer at Carmichael's plus that KTM he was on caused him several DNF's.
I must be getting old. Really A C will be 16 this year? He just hopped on a 250 recently and already he is gonna go pro? Whatever, I guess, but it just doesn't seem like he's that old yet. He can ride that 250, no doubt about that!
damn .. Geico Honda is gonna be a BEAST
AC92 When he makes the big time, I bet he has BillC polishing his boots and Carlsbad feeding him grapes while Welker is fanning him with a set of Bannana leaves fitted with a pair of preston petty Hex grips ! LOL !! RED OF COARSE !!
I think Jake Canada got screwed out of a better ride, and whats with Les Smith's terrible luck? Wasn't he supposed to race for that Chaplin Kawasaki team that folded last summer, too?
factory honda finally dumped brayton. kinda wondering where josh hansens gonna end up, i follow him on twitter and he hasnt posted anything about plans next year.
@ bucky394
Hey Maffia whats up ! Adam is my nephew,He has been on a bike since he started walking basically He will turn pro on his Birthday Oct 20 right know he has a 5 year deal with Pro circut kawasaki .. He has been groomed his whole life for this we just hope he doesnt get burned out................ at 100lbs he flat out frys on the 250 f.........You will see him next year at the MXDN I predict and will also win his first Moto he enters not to many have done that ......
@ darren29
I seen Hanson scoping out a dish washing job a couple of weeks ago in Manhatten Beach
McElrath testing at TLD track today
Back to JGR Yamaha....Words that make ya sick!!
I heard bill c and welker were both signing with Team Massengill and will be riding Extra Cleansing Disposables.
where is Rattray going. Already seen vids of Hart attack riding suzuki's, so thats what the team will be on w/ help from carmichael. wheres hanny going? whats the chances of Grant staying with Jeff ward. If he leaves who would fill in the other position at jeff ward. PC Kawi must be signing someone else because AC is already signed, right???
AC....the next best thing since JS.....................
Seriously though, are they really going to push for him to Jump to 250 Pro straight from Minis? Has he even raced a single National on 250's? Dominating mini's on amatuer tracks isnt' the same as running SX or Pro MX tracks.
Davalos to PC????...what has he done to deserve that??!!
I heard AC92 wouldn't be moving up until at least the end of 2014...
Hansen needs to tuffen up and ride out doors that SX Only biz is just for puff pastry guys
Hansen needs to tuffen up and ride out doors that SX Only biz is just for puff pastry guys
@ YAMAHAMONSTER, BillC is the resident Kawi-phile around these parts. I hope your nephew can do well but, I'm more of an underdog person and A.C. is anything but that!
@ 323mx, the Romoland pull was excellent! You so funny.
I have mixed emotions about Josh Hansen. His next phase of life isn't going to be anywhere as lucrative or exciting as his last one and that is a shame but, he is getting what he paid for and nobody could tell him different.
It sucks to hear about Langston-Witt M-sports. Rattray working a support KTM until he got a shot at a factory 450 sounded good.
@Moto663 - Absolutely nothing. There's a couple of guys that I don't think deserve the rides they have, but without a doubt Davalos takes the cake. Never won a race, he has three podiums in SX Lites (I think), and his best finish in a series is 8th. I have no idea what any team sees in this guy...
Could it be possible the factory KTM picks up Les Smith's contract with Langston-Witt. The were working with the KTM factory over the course of the outdoors. Phil Nicoletti or Weston Pieck to Chapperal.
@ carlsbad Thanks for the props.....................Underdog maybe in his first race with the guys that are up front at the present time..............Kids today that they pick for these programs like PC I dont think they know what it is like if they even loose a moto,its not even a thought. But in the end when you go for a title,I think you should be out there for any experience you can get if its 4th so be it,I just dont like quiters.Like some.............All riders ride with some sort of discomfort or pain that is what motocross at the highest level or any sport for that matter,That what sets the big boys apart from the rest............
Davalos has never raced a whole season period. Give that ride to Wharton he just needs a little luck and a better bike for consistent podium.
Yeah it was a down year for Wharton, but it takes 18months to come back to full strength from Rotator and Labrum shoulders, plus he had it done on both shoulders.
Factory KTM should pick up Tyla for a 2nd 450 rider
Wharton admitts that he is not an outdoor rider and it takes him half the year to get energized..........Needs a better training program hurt or not.......
Davalos I dont know who is agent is or who he strokes but must have some pictures on someone !
if AC92 does move to pros it will be interesting
Mitch gave offers to Blake Wharton, Jason Anderson, Marvin Musquin, and i believe Zach Osbourne. All of them decided to stay with their current team. Davalos was probably the best option open. I hope he picks Phil Picoletti up. That kid has speed and endurance, and was better then Davalos most of the time before his bike gave up the ghost.
The days that Mitch used to rule the pits and get whoever he wanted for whatever he wanted to pay them look to be gone. The peace dividend has been spent, Mitch, but hopefully AC will bring it back.
Larocco is proving that his tenacity on the track was just him - not an act. He gets my respect for putting together a completely solid compeditor for Mitch, and we reap the entertainment benefits. All I know is that I saved 15% or more on my car insurance!
PJ Larsen as the 4th PC rider?
Maybe the PC program is just what the doctor ordered for Davalos. Either way, it's sink or swim for him now.
Nicoletti looked to be deserving of a shot at the big time.
With PC's apparent drought of talent, it seems Rockstar Suzuki & Star-Valli Yamaha have improved odds of putting bikes / riders on the podium but, will they be around for the title? PC has always been very good at the long-haul and even though they look weak on paper, only a fool would count them out.
At least the silly season is not as bad as the last few years. Really looking to see what Barcia can do on the big bike? Feel bad about Grant Langstons team having to fold. I think the res are gonna do ok. I liked the line that said "Reed is gonna resign himself" Good idea Chad!
Good luck to all!
Its a shame Yamaha of Troy and Honda of Troy days are gone like the founder'
Hey thecatsschaaf whats up !
@YAMAHAMONSTER--- Not sure how to take that? ya those petty grips were great! I have been a Yamaha fan all of my life. Never rode another brand unless it was given to me. I dont like Kawi's cause i just never liked them. I dont care what anybody rides just glad to see them win or do good.
Hope AC92 can do it it is a tough jump only a few make it, hype wont do it ya gotta have heart desire and luck!
Any idea where's Hansen going ? No hates ....
Someone give Philthy Phil a ride. Drop a has been and never was and give that kid some top notch equipment
Although It seems AC92 is a well spoken, decent kid that has exceptional motocross skills, I highly doubt he will come in and dominate the 250 class. Tomac, Bagget and a few other riders will be too much for him, will be a great learning experience for him though, maybe his second season pro though?
@ CaseIH Racine, Wisconsin, He in one of them http://www.haroldsequipment.com/manufacturers/gea-houle/manure-spreaders
@ VISTAJIM Looking for Mr-Mx seen lately He owes me a steak dinner down in San Diego Ca
What will Barcia be riding at the MXON? Geico Honda or Factory Honda? Either way go BAM BAM!!
Cool to see Davi back on Suzuki. I can't believe Davalos hasn't pointed out of the lites class yet. If Trey Canard can stay healthy Honda could have a very competitive 450 tent. Should be a good year.
JGR will be brayton and les smith that retard Jbone posted a pic on twitter building the bikes and the stands if you zoom in one say brayton and the other says #44 les smith he tried to say the stands were old but I highly doubt that
What Mitch sees in Davalos is speed. Speed and nothing else. Like him or not, Davalos has it. PC will be looking to add consistency and mental application to his game. If Davalos can do a full season without injury, he could (COULD) be in the championship mix in SX. And if you don't think Davalos has speed, watch his pass on Barcia at the Vegas supercross last year. I don't rate the guy, but there's no doubt he has speed...sink or swim time for sure.
@UPSMAN16 barcias gonna be on the factory honda , the pics have him on it
jacoba73 You must be from Aussie land ! Not a chance Everyone has nano second of speed but this guys days are long go if he even had a few........It is swim or sink for sure
Musquin turn down PC and so did Malcolm twice now. I just dont understand why Mookie chose to stay KTM but he says he is a big boy and the KTM fits his style. Well bro PC has won more titles so I would have gone PC Musquin should have gone PC too. Just saying they may not pay well but they have experience and will take them to the next level.
@Jacoba PC went after Davalos after Musquin and Mookie turn em down. I know he really wanted mookie and Musquin
What is Mitch thinking, Davalos is a coulda woulda been rider. He can't stay up. Put PJ on that PC bike and watch him become a champion! I'm betting Davalos won't even make it to the line for A1 because he ditched it in practice trying to stay up with Baggett and boys.
@YAMAHAMONSTER - I don't actually know what your post says/means.
@dgizzy1 - I didn't say PC didn't go after others first, I said that PC got Davalos because of his speed.
Time will tell, but even though I don't like Davalos, he has the potential to get a few wins. I doubt even the might of PC can turn around his inconsistency, but put it this way - would you be surprised if he won a few races?
Mookie is gonna follow james lead and he's gonna stay on a team that lets him pretty much call the shots as far as training how much and where it takes place
@ jacoba73 Its Gullah speak....... that is a language. In plain english "He Sucks" you wallaby !
I love Eli and Blake, but another year in the 250 class, REALLY!! Move on, the water downed 450 class needs you. Good luck
@ retired-promxer
I'm in Agreement move on and get better mix it with the big guys
I cannot believe Wharton would turn down a ride at PC.That seems crazy to me.But,I know he probably wouldnt be able to be such a free spirit,but may have been his best shot at a championship!
Think Jake Canada could have really stepped up with a PC ride.Think he is the type of guy that could totally adapt to the PC way and really come into his own.
Sorry dudes,just read the one about Mookie turning down PC also.Are you kidding me?Can someone tell me why he would turn that dow? I know he is bigger,but you would think a PC bike would pull him no problem.I mean,is his KTM faster than a PC bike?
I certainly wouldn't go with Davalos, but never doubt Mitch. I guarantee if Davalos stays healthy, he'll be a different guy under the PC awning. Blake Baggett hadn't done much as a Pro before Mitch signed him other than a few flashes of speed, yet he pulls a National title in the 2nd year. Mitch is a magician.
I'd have to see some proof about Stewart and Wharton turning down a PC ride. I don't know about Stewart but Wharton is smarter than that.
Time will tell @YAMAHAMONSTER. Let's see how much he 'sucks' on a PC bike with Mitch in his corner...
Tickle to KTM?
Osborne will podium this year ...indoors and out
Izzi top 5 in SX Lites
Why a pilote like Wilson'll ride for the Jeff Ward team ?
It's a team for the outsider not for a rider like Wilson !!!
I agree with retired-promxer!!!!!! get eli and baggett out of the mini-bike class. I have been saying it for years----2 full years , and OUT!!! the 450 class is totally watered down---especially after aninjury or two---I dont want to watch a 6th or 5th place rider getting lapped!!!!-----if you are getting lapped in the top15----------its time for you to get a real JOB-------450 class is a SNOOZER!!!!!
I remember when Bubba moved to the pros he refused to ride for Mitch. It was unheard of. Even RC rode for Mitch. RV did it later too. Adam probably will also. James said no way. I have no idea why but maybe there is something there and it had some effect on why Malcolm said no as well.
The classes are fine as is. Its not the 250 classes fault all those guys got hurt. Next year its Reed, Dungey, Barcia, Villipoto, Stewart, Windham, Canard, Wilson, and Alessi. The big NINE! Plus Short, Brayton, and Weimer. If you send up the kids too soon they become cannon fodder, finish outside the top ten, get hurt and are never heard from again.
Baggett and gang will be up there in a year or so. No need to rush away what could be another unreal year of lites battles.
No need to worry about Tomac moving up, his growth spurt will make it a necessity.
PC has traditionally paid less and been a hard place to accept mediocrity. Flipside is, your career trajectory immediately improves with them on your resume.
The new KTM 250F is an all new motor and gained 5 HP so, I don't think anyone that has a chance to get paid to ride orange is going to pass that up.
@Roger
I'm with you but I think we should take it a step further and get rid of the 450 bike and just make one professional class on the 250f. I tried to get friends into becoming spectators of the sport this year but it didn't go so well. Not because they aren't race fans but because it was too long of a program and too confusing.
Multiple classes with the "premiere" class being boring and appearing to be slower than the lites class on slower bikes. The top 5 riders lapping well into the top 10. The back of the pack 450 riders giving up. And, of course, the horrendous outdoors tv schedule didn't help either. The question always comes out - why don't the fastest 450 and fastest 250 riders race each other? The person watching the sport wants to watch good racing and thats achieved by putting all the best talent on the track at the same time. The lites class is unnecessary because Amateur motocross is taken so seriously in modern days that in reality these kids turning 16 and getting their pro license have been professional athletes for half their life already.
2 classes means twice as many people on the payroll and I guess thats what the industry is trying to protect but its not good for the sport. The sport at the professional level needs growth in viewership.
/rant
im guessing those guys turned down the pc ride for more money and freedom to slack off. You ever try to tell a brother what do. hard to tame a wild beast!!!
Lets talk about DAvalos and the Green demon. I've been to many SX's and martin knows how to put it down for sure. He had the fastest qualifying laps in a few SX's. He has been on a fairly new team, he's at a point in his career where its do or die. He's a hard worker, he's always in shape. I bet he'll win two or three races. I hope he can shut up some haters, and put mitch's bike on the box. oh yea, for all the geico fans. do u know that mitch builds they're motors also???
Organ, Mitch doesnt build the Geico motors anymore. He didnt this past season. See how many holeshots they got this year doing their own motors? Those hondas were very fast.
I'm pretty sure holeshots have much more to do with the rider than the bike. Or is a privateer Suzuki really that much faster than a factory KTM?
AC92 will not be turning PRO just yet,just cuz he's hitting a couple doubles in that new video DONT MEAN SHIT...Lets see what happens when you put that 100lb turd up against the best.1 yard sale in the 1st turn and he is going to look like a bug on a windshield @ 100lb them 250F's will make a cheese grader out of his lil ass....
kliffwalke talkin with your mouth full of shit again !
You should follow your own lead chump walk of that cliff first and make us all proud Bonner Head
I remember seeing a video/article with AC92 and him saying Mitch/Bones wouldnt let him on a 250f until he put on 15 to 20 pounds. I would be he is around 115lbs or so. I dont expect him to dominate if he turns pro but I think he would learn alot more riding a year pro then another year collecting amateur titles. We will see next month when he rides at the MEC in the amateur races.
Its interesting about the rumors of people turning down to ride for PC. It was odd to see JS7 ride for factory kawi when he turned pro because kawi hadnt had a factory 125 in years back then it was all PC. I really like Wharton it would have been cool to see him on a PC bike but I just hope he is healthy and can make a good run next year.
As far as Tomac and Bagget moving up. I think its to soon epsecially in supercross where your time is limited as it is. Tomac is the champ and should defend it. Bagget wants a title. As soon as you move up all that is gone there is no going back. Might as well get the championships and money while you can then move up.
AC92 hasto race the 250 amateur before racing it pro that would be worse than alessi skipping the 250's and going straight to the 450's
Wish racer x would list the salaries and bonus incentives for each rider. Heard pc only pays bonus money.
is it too late for tyla rattray to ride a 250 for PC again, and same with hanny???
Davalos, Thats the dude that raced against Marty Smith, Jeff Ward, Ron Lechien, and The Bomber Barnett.