250 Words: Baggett, Tomac, Barcia at the MEC
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 | 10:00 AM
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PrintWith the 2012 Monster Energy Cup coming up this weekend right here in Las Vegas, a promise of an upset win by a Lites rider is not looking very strong. The format of the MEC is run-what-ya-brung which means that some of the sport's top 250 teams are coming up to see what they got. The dearly departed U.S. Open also had this format during the last few years of its existence, and one time, GEICO Honda’s Jake Weimer won the second night going away on his Honda CRF250, while a big first turn crash collected some of the bigger names.
So it’s been done and I suppose, out of all the racers racing 250s this weekend, new 250 Motocross Champion Blake Baggett has the best shot at perhaps breaking into the top three, or maybe with some luck, get onto the top spot. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki racer is one of the only known racers lining up this weekend on a 250 (the PC team confirmed to us yesterday that Baggett will be on a 250). But perhaps even more intriguing is GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac is not racing a 250, but a Honda 450 (Tomac raced a 450 at this race last year, too, and was quietly effective). And Justin Barcia is also on a 450, but now for the factory Honda Muscle Milk team.
Justin Barcia will make his Factory Honda 450 debut at the Monster Energy Cup.
Simon Cudby photo
We reached out to the Rockstar Suzuki team and they’re not having any of their 250 guys line up, and it’s unknown what the Star Yamaha guys are doing at this point. The Red Bull KTM stars of Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin are sitting this one out as well, both using their off-season to get surgery and heal up from injuries suffered earlier this year (broken arm for Roczen, broken hand for Musquin). That leaves Baggett as the 250 classes’ best hope this Saturday night.
The cool thing about the MEC is the three main events are relatively short, so Baggett could potentially pull off some great finishes. The split start doesn’t favor the bigger 450 motors as much (although Blake is not known as a holeshot artist anyway), the shorter laps mean less chances for him to lose time if he does get up front, and also something to think about is Blake’s been in the training/practicing mode a lot longer than many of his competitors because of his inclusion on the MXoN team.
The incredible battle for the 2012 250 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross title is still fresh in our minds, and three of the main players are set for the weekend. Stay tuned to see if Baggett, or one of the other 250 guys, can pull off the impossible and battle the 450s--and to see if Barcia and Tomac can prove they truly belong up front on the big bikes.
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Now my boy Blake is great but he won't beat big brother RV. Now there is a pair to draw too.
RV
Dungey
Barcia
For the life of me I have no clue why you think Baggett might win.He's not that great of a SX rider yet and he is a terrible starter against 250s.I'm sure his starts will be super bad against 450s.I don't know why they let Baggett have the best starting position in the MXDN either.Since Barcia is a great starter and the races are only 10 laps long he might have a chance to win.To me 10 laps is stupid.Those should be at least 15 laps.
The races will be over before Baggett gets to his signature 17min mark.I think I need to quit selling you tard pills Mathes.
Based on Blake's SX this year I would think he will do terrible. I hope he can break out of that. Anyway when did Roczen break his arm?
Hey, if you had to write a 250 words article in the runup to the MEC, what would you moto Einsteins write about? It is easy to tear work apart, but have you ever written something for public consumption? Fred, you need to find a way to tell the difference between opinion and flatulence. Keep this up, and you will be known as "Fartsmith Fred".
I was looking forward to seeing Baggett on a 450. Oh well will be more funny maybe to see the 250 passing 450's!!
Hey man, the 250's turned nearly the same times outdoors, so why wouldnt they have at least a decent shot indoors? The joker lane is gonna cause pileups, so racing is out circus is in, wont matter.
The whole 250/450 debate, as to them having similar lap times and thus seemingly being able to compete head to head, has been discussed before. A rider on a smaller bike has to ride wider, sweeping lines to keep up momentum, while a bigger bike allows a rider to go inside, or square up his (or her) lines alot more. An example given was Short on the 350 being stuffed alot before bigger obstacles, because he always had to go outside, allowing a 450 rider to come in and square up/stuff him, and then simply turn the throttle back on to clear the obstacle with ease.
All that being said, Baggett looks to weigh 120 lbs soaking wet, so the power disadvantage is probably as minimal as one can hope for on a smaller bike, but as others have said, his starts are lackluster and his SX season last year wasn't highly memorable. I see him top 10, maybe top five, but certainly not top three. I'll eat my words if he proves me wrong, though.
@BigUgly I'm already known as a Fartsmith.If you don't believe me then just pull my finger.Haha!
Is Stewart racing the MEC???? Whether you like him, or not, his presence makes the event more exciting. What's the word on Canard lining up, or will he wait until A1?
No and No Ryanwgopoto
Bam Bam in Alpi??? damn he should stay with Alias or at least go to FOX
If you don't think Bam Bam is going to be up front then you heard it here first. Tomac on a 450 will be there too. RV and RD will see. I also think RV will crash in at lest one race. Blake will be lucky to get top 5.
Tomac actually has a legit shot at this. Im so excited to see what happens.
I'd put my money on Tomac and Barcia.
Baggett isn't so great in Supercross, and normally doesn't have great starts, and even if this was MX, the race would be over before he even warmed up. being about 10 minutes long(IF they can stretch the lap times to a minute.
They should at least run the motos on time say 10min plus 1 lap or something.
two250- Roczen broke his arm before A1, its why he rode Lites East instead of West. the original plan for KTM was to have both lites riders do West.
Kind of a bummer more 250 guys are not lining up... but oh well as I believe Barcia and Tomac have a real shot at winning this event. Barcia as he is a great starter and Tomac is a perfect fit for a 450! I dont think Bagget has a legitimate shot at winning, but top 5 for sure which will still be a nice payday! I cant wait as I will be there and enjoying Vegas for a couple days!
@BigUglyManiac - That's that the nature of these comments sections, not just here, but every one I've ever looked at. At least 25% of the comments are criticizing the article or the author. Those who can't do something become critics of it.
Dungey
Baggett
Villipoto
All in the top three for all three motos, but RD5 will stay at that top spot all three while Baggett and Villipoto battle for second, thats all because RD is the best!
@MX bob dude you are so right, people are just mad that the author is either talking about their riders in a bad way, or he is saying something good about a rider that they don't like, witch makes them post something about the author
so maybe you all shouldn't get so butt hurt
Wow, now that is something, "Words to live by", by fred the Fartsmith. Time for Matthes to step down. Also good luck to Baggett, make that 250F sing!
My problem is that I figure everyone has value and deserves to be encouraged as they practice their craft. Posting negative makes the posters look like the guys selling their bikes as featured on "Cool As Hell - Junk Bikes for Sale".
People with limited vocabulary come out and say "You Suck". People with vocabulary can offer left handed complements like "I appreciate your efforts, and someday I will appreciate your opinion". What you say and how you say it reflects on you, the person saying it. It is perfectly acceptable and entertaining to feel that the big guy is full of crap - most of the time he knows he is - but to just squeeze out the statement "You are full of crap" is just dumb.
I know I am ranting. I know I am going to be "tarded". I don't care. I just wish the banter at the end of the article was as funny and fun to read as the articles.
I would rather read "Matthes, don't listen to the countless losers who think you are a pit moocher and have the writing skills of a thousand monkeys with typewriters. We love your work anyways." rather than ".I think I need to quit selling you tard pills Mathes(SIC)." Show some guile and style, not some Budweiser and Funyons
"while Baggett and Villipoto battle for second"
.WHAT??? RV will smoke Baggett!!
The more I think about that the crazer it seems. Your giving baggett WAY to much credit or for some reason you don't think RV will be good.
@fred- it has been determined that your eloquently spoken words is a by product of Budweiser,funyons, and tard pills. lol
@BillC- I don't think Matthes is giving Blake way too much credit, but as acknowledgement for being one of the few top 250 rider to compete.
when did roczen break his arm??
there will be a lot of red, a touch of green on the podium saturday but doubt you will see any orange unless theres a crash. If barcia can move up to a 450 and beat dungey what do you think tomac is gonna do this weekend dungey and bagget are gonna be out there trail riding and by the time they hit their stride the moto is gonna be over
@BigUgly here let me pass you the GreyPoupon.Baggett will be a fith or sixth place guy.
BB is my favorite 250 rider and even I don't think he has the best chance at winning. As others have correctly pointed out he struggled in SX and was a slow starter in MX. There's nothing wrong with pointing out flawed logic. Barcia and Tomac are both SX champions. JB is known for getting great starts. JB is proven on a 450. He's the smart pick for a betting man. Heck although it pains me to say it I'd pick KRoc over BB in this format.
Hello CZMark. Holler at you later.Got to go out to the methl,I mean garage to get Big Ungly some mustard for his funyons.
What about Reed? Nobody even mentioned him, I think Reed will have Baggett covered no problem, I don't see Baggett in the top 2, I predict RV, RD, CR, JB running up front with ET & BB battling for 3rd, then theres always MA in the mix with his holeshots.
@tricky
I don't want to pick on you too much but the article is called "250 Words:Baggett, Tomac, and Barcia at the MEC". I'm not sure where CR22 fits in there. Also if RV, RD, CR, and JB are running up front that would leave ET and BB battling for 5th.
@ fred; Where do you get your information? Every race at the MXoN went for 17 laps! 30+2 not ten laps. You have really done your research.
the 10 lap races at the MEC there frita.I was talking about the starts at the MXDN.They gave the 250 rider which was Baggett the better starting spot.I think that was a mistake because he is not a good at the starts.You want some more Tard pills?
BB is not the draw in this shooting match. There's bigger guns. Highest placing 250F? Sure, why not?
Could the joker lane make a 250F relevant? Sure, why not?
he says the races are short so bagget has a chance?... didnt he lead the least laps this year outa the top 4 but won the most races meaning he charges at the end of the long races?! dont think he has a chance sorry... maybe top 250 rider though,
as for tomac riding a 450 hes always said he loves the 450 im sure he'l be in top 5 at least (depending on starts... hes bad at them...)
CZmark I was talking to motoman5, He said RV and baggett will fight for 2nd.
I dont see Bagget being up front at all. Tomac and Barcia should be. But Bagget hasnt won a title in supercross, and this track is almost all supercross.. And I wonder why Roczen and Musquin are BOTH sitting out?? What are they scared of?? I guess they pretty much know that if they cant beat Tomac and Barcia, they sure dont have a chance of beating Reed or RV1..
@ texag, who cares what the article is called, I see lots of people talkin about RV & RD, I think Reed should be mentioned, I think I probably know more about MX than you so don't have to count the positions for me, it's a 3 moto format so I'm sure those top 4 guys will be on the podium in 1 of 3 motos, I didn't say it would be the 1st moto, what is it with people on this site, they always have find petty BS to comment on!