by Davey Coombs
Racerhead #52
Friday, December 28, 2012 | 5:40 PMHonda is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, and the undisputed leader in motorcycle technology. More motocross riders have won titles on Hondas than on any other bike. When you’re serious about winning, Honda is the machine for you.
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PrintWelcome to Racerhead. Here's wishing all of our readers a continued safe and happy holidays, and we hope you got all you wanted under your Christmas tree. I wanted the Evel Knievel Stunt Bike and Scramble Van Action Set; I got a leaf blower and jumper cables.
Time is almost up on 2012, which means the off-season is thankfully almost over. After a fairly wild election season in the U.S., some terrible disasters—some natural, some evil—and now a looming fiscal cliff (which we may yet just go ahead and triple, or maybe just seat-bounce), the calendar can't change soon enough on 2012. And that's just life in general. As far as our sport goes, we are about to ride across the starting gate into a brand new year, with some unanswered questions looming.
Next Saturday night will be a historic night for fans of both Supercross and Arenacross.
Photo by Simon Cudby
But first, here's a number to ponder: Five. No, not Ryan Dungey's #5, but five as in five hours. That's the approximate number of live hours of television coverage fans will get next Saturday night when Speed features not only the opening round of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Championship from Anaheim, but also the opening round of the completely renovated Amsoil Arenacross kickoff from Worcester, Massachusetts. Live AX coverage will precede live SX coverage, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Add it all up and next Saturday night, January 5, measures as the best night ever for watching live coverage of SX/AX. With all of the top riders back in the saddle and ready to get on with the action, it's going to be a big night from coast to coast!
Now back to those looming questions. For instance, how fast is Monster Energy Supercross #1 Ryan Villopoto going to be as he returns from another long stay on the sidelines? We've seen him do this before and come out swinging in 2011, and we saw him glide to a win in the first race at the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas before a crash the second time out sidelined him again. Of course this is RV, and he's wearing that #1 plate for a reason—Ryan is consistently fast (and often the fastest) and that's been more than enough the last two years in a row.
Ryan Villopoto will be shooting for a third straight Monster Energy Supercross #1 plate, something only three men have achieved before: Bob Hannah, Jeremy McGrath (twice), and Ricky Carmichael.
Photo by Simon Cudby
Which James Stewart will show up, and how will he do on a Suzuki in supercross? Will he be the frighteningly fast man who can drop the hammer on anyone and everyone, or will he be the fragile one who has ended too many of his races well before the checkered flag falls—or both? Stewart has been mostly quiet this off-season, resetting himself after a mercurial 2012 season, both indoors and outdoors. He's had time to heal his wrist and his brain and also get comfortable on the Suzook. He's also got a new project coming up in his signature racewear. More on that next week.
How about Chad Reed and Trey Canard? Both have been out of sight (as far as racing goes) for a long time for much of the fans, though Reedy looked good against a modest field in the three Australian SX races he did last month (and Canard has been popping up here and there in Texas and Oklahoma). Will these two remain the top Honda riders or will it be the newcomer Justin Barcia, who topped everyone in the Monster Energy Cup in October?
And who will manage the Honda Muscle Milk team? Erik Kehoe disappeared this past fall, waiting for a contract extension that has yet to come. Who will be wearing the headset and making the calls for Honda from the manager's tower on the infield?
What about former champion Ryan Dungey? He's had more than a year on the KTM now, and no one seems to be developing their race equipment quicker than KTM. Has the Americanization of the KTM race program reached the point where one of their bikes may finally win an AMA Supercross title? And has Ryan put the double trouble of his disappointing MXoN ride and his freakish problems at the MEC behind him?
Ryan Dungey will be gunning for the first-ever 450 SX title for the Red Bull KTM team.
Photo by Simon Cudby
Josh Grant and Justin Brayton will certainly look familiar on JGR/Toyota Yamahas, but how competitive will they be this time around? And we all remember Davi Millsaps on a Suzuki as a kid; how will he look one one now as a man? Will the sheer star power of Ricky Carmichael/Carey Hart team overshadow actual riders Broc Tickle and Josh Hill? Mike Alessi of the MotoConcepts team has become a steady presence toward the front of the pack in any race, though he has never actually won a supercross race in the U.S. Will this finally be the year that #800 gets number one? And if Jason Thomas is not out there to set the pace, who will win all those sighting laps? (Just kidding, JT$, and welcome to the press box.)
Another person who did not get what they wanted for Christmas appears to be Ivan Tedesco. After having a deal to catch a ride with Team Tedder, the former two-time Lites SX and AMA 250 Motocross Champion lost his clothing deal that would have underwritten his otherwise privateer effort. So he's not going to be racing next week at Anaheim, and he already has a plan. According to a tweet spotted by our friend @dmxsradio, "I will be busy snowboarding next week. That's a hobby I will pay to do." Here's hoping something opens up for IT9.
Photo by Steve Cox
In the 250SX class (thank you for clipping the “Lites”) there's the return of Dean Wilson and Cole Seely, the continued rise of Eli Tomac, the growing confidence and comfort of Ken Roczen, an indoor comeback for 250 outdoor champion Blake Baggett, the steady hand of Tyla Rattray, and then just a whole bunch of really interesting stories in the West Region: GEICO Honda's Zach Osborne as a full-time AMA competitor again, the untested Jessy Nelson and Joey Savatgy, Jake Canada and Jason Anderson with another year under their belts, the veteran Martin Davalos on a Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, Max Anstie and Michael Leib as full-on privateers, and just always-fast-but-yet-win guys like Christian Craig and Malcolm Stewart....
Of course that could all change in the 250 class, as Mitch Payton may do his annual last-minute shuffle and move his guys around, and the same goes for GEICO Honda! Here's the full preliminary entry list, courtesy of the AMA.
Check out Ken Roczen on the cover of CROSS Magazine’s January 2013 issue.
Next week, following the flip of the calendar, all eyes will be on Southern California. There's new-product intros, open houses, press day, and more. Trey Canard's REvival 41 documentary film will have an exclusive premiere on Thursday following the press conference. Friday will be load-in at the stadium, so expect all kinds of photos and videos that show off the “bold new graphics” of each team, new gear, new displays, new spokesmodels, new everything!
And then of course comes Saturday, and it all finally ends—the off-season, that is—and the racing begins. Here's hoping for a safe, happy new year for everyone on the starting gate, both at Anaheim and when the whole series ends at Las Vegas in May. That would make 2013 the best supercross tour ever, regardless of who wins.
Trey Canard will have a busy week in SoCal, making his racing comeback on the Muscle Milk Honda and also debuting his new film REvival 41.
Photo by BrownDogWilson
Looking back, have you been keeping tabs of our Monster Energy Countdown of the best supercross riders of all time? We've had a lot of fun (and more than a few elbows and center-punches) as the Racer X crew and friends like Simon Cudby and Eric Johnson have counted down from 30. It's led to some excellent back-and-forths in the comments and on Facebook, especially after some of the more controversial rankings. For instance, Jean-Michel Bayle was #10 on our all-time list, and we all think he deserved it (some even higher), but Bayle himself humbly submitted this one his own Facebook page: Devant mon idole David Bailey.... pas certain pour ca. (Translation: "Ahead of my idol David Bailey... not sure about that.")
JMB used to make life miserable for Damon Bradshaw, who was ranked behind him, and Jeff Stanton, who was two spots ahead at #8. In case you missed it, here's today's case for Jeff Stanton.
Video of the Week: How I Spent My Christmas... By Mike Alessi
Eli Tomac will be wearing #1 when the talent-packed West Region opens next Saturday night. He's also whipping big on the June 2013 page of our Racer X Calendar.
In other news, there is a big race going off in Nor Cal on New Years Day, and prior to Anaheim 1. Our friends at 408 MX in San Jose are running a New Years Day Grand Prix. Highlights include longer motos, an extended track layout as well as an old school 200% pro rider purse. For more info, check out the track's website at www.408mx.com
Finally, here's a note from Racer X reader Andrew Curran about Dr. Hans Keirstead, a leading researcher in spinal-cord injuries. Dr. Keirstead is a Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the Reeve-Irvine Research Center, at University of California, Irvine.
Hi, Racer X Guys (and Gals). As a longtime reader I have been interested (since I read in the mag) about Dr. Hans Keirstead. I searched his name in YouTube and found a recent post from September 21, 2012 updating his labs progress. Great stuff!
Anyone can make a secure tax-deductible donation directly to Dr. Keirstead’s lab at UC Irvine (more information here).
With that note, we will end Racerhead for 2012. When we return next year, this column will be on a diet of sorts, as my one of my own New Year's resolutions is to make Racerhead shorter and more accessible to readers, focusing as much on what's ahead of us as what's now behind us (and all of our contributors have already hashed it out elsewhere on Racer X Online). Have a safe, happy New Year's, and here's to future days.... Thanks for reading Racerhead, see you at the races.
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Absent from the supercross tour since 2008, the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge remains a favorite of fans nationwide. And now it’s back! Page 136.
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Can't Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
".......completely renovated Amsoil Arenacross"
How so?
A1 can't get here quick enough.
I can't wait for A1! Making the trip from NYC to check out A1 for the first time. Cant wait to see Stewart pound everyone on his new Suzook :) In the 250 SX class I am predicting Cole Seely dominating the field. Good luck Stewie and Seely.
Thank goodness new years falls in the middle of the week to help speed things along!!! I will have the jitters on my couch for sure come Jan 5..... Some live arenacross do get us diehards warmed prior to A1 sounds good to me...I hate those late afternoon hours waiting, just waiting for 7:00 to roll around...well, 8:00 where im at......
Cant go wrong picking RV coming into round 1.....some of the guys will be getting a feel for "where we are at" and building off A1, while RV will come out like last year and blaze the field....I hope to see the "new JS7" there running with RV as well, but like past years I dont want to get my hopes up ..if he comes out cautious and stays up for a 2nd or 3rd, people will still find a reason to dog the guy....The JS7 gear which was mentioned months ago - but nothing sinc,e will be very interesting to see.....
Personally, I think IT9 may have the wrong attitude which could affect someone picking him up....maybe pay Mitch a visit?...ride a practice bike ormaybe tickles race bike from last year just to show he is wanting to be out there.....I dont know i am sure he is frustrated....
Here's to a new year....may all stay healthy and provide some glorious moto clinics for us all to enjoy....cheers!! 2013
Hopefully TC # 41 can pull it together . I look for Deno to take the 250 class
Tedesco SNOW BOARDING ! Hey IT # 9 When your up on the mountain just remember what you were supposed to be doing SX - MX ..............Remember when your up there going from Switch-stance to fakie,followed by a McTwist and all the other shit Frontside grab/indy falling like a burritto on the floor at old suicide del taco see all the old Hannahs,Glovers,Dungy's,and JS 7 !! I meet you at the hospital to say I told you so.Man your carreer is in the shitter man ............Happy New year to you Mc'Ivan........
Ratray is a good move for the 250 indoors should be up towards the front !
The last Racerhead of the year! It is hard to believe that 2012 is almost gone. I would like to once again Thank the RacerX crew DC, Weedge, Matthis, Chase, Aaron, Ping and the newbie JT and all those behind the scenes. You have done a splendid job of keeping us informed of results and the inner goings on, in the world of mx/sx, all through the year. You have brought us laughter and brought us to tears, with a wide range of articles and human interest stories. As professionals, you make it all look so easy and effortless, when in deed it is long hours and hard work. You take the often given criticism, with a smile, knowing it comes with the job, so here is a well deserved pat on the back!! Keep up the Great Work!!
PS Thanks for giving us the Conversation, a place where we fans can leave comments and express our view points on the sport we so dearly love. I know we some times sound like crazed lunatics and leave rambling statements, but it is just our passion for the sport showing through. Now we all look forward with Great Expectations to what lays before us in 2013..What looks to be the most competitive season both indoors and out that we have seen in a very long time!!
Hey, to all my conversation friends, Mr MX, Bucky, BillC, Preston, Ripdown, KilloMoto, Rickamatuzio, bd200, CR500AF, MX Bob, Carlsbad, VooDoo, Fred, Osteo, EuroMike and all the rest, it has been a pleasure conversing with you this year. Thanks for putting up with my ramblings and I look forward to our conversations in the year 2013...HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
sx is something to watch till off road racing starts
Same back to all of you !! Happy New year to you all and may 2013 be a great year for Health,Happiness and SX-MX............
Yeah, for their sake more than ours - but for ours too, as fans! :^) - I hope FEWER riders get hurt this year, dammit.
MrMx Here Here to Health Happiness and an Injury Free SX/MX ......
Tedesco is snowboarding. So what? Dude is a champ and I'm sure he's got cash. I wouldn't wanna come out of my own pocket to race either if I was him. He lost his clothing deal? Most of that Thor gear is butt ugly anyway!
Bd25, Happy new year and I like your list of commentors, we should all hook up at a supercross this year. I will be at phenix, dallas and most east coast races.
We all know how stacked the 450s are but look at the west coast 250s- MAN is that going to be a hot class !!!
Here's to a injury free 2013 for all the pro racers and us ameture old farts too !!!
I am racing Freestone sun for the TX winter series
So why did the AMA change the class displacements to begin with?Oh yeah, 4 strokes are so much more advanced than 2 strokes, that they only need 80-100% displacement advantage.
@BD25 - Back at ya. Thx for all the great posts and observations. Keep 'em coming. Hope to see another article of yours on RX online soon. How about interviews with others in the Oklahoma contingent present and past as a follow-on to the article about Guy Cooper.
Can't wait for A1.
I'm just a SX season away from spring time!!!!
@BD25 ... One question for you (and everyone). Who will win SX 2013?
RC should take care of his man IT9 and hook him up w RCH. As for lite 250 i am hoping Seely, craig and Malcolm Stewart get a win this season. Big class is hard to call but again when racing is this close CONSISTENCY wins and that leads to Reed and Dungey. I THINK IF JS7 slows down a lil and realizes he doesnt have to win all races then he would build consistency and will win but the guy only knows one way.BALLS OUT. A wise man once said sometimes you have to settle for 3rd or 2nd even 4th but i dont think JS ever got that memo. 2013 gonna be weird to have canard,Reedy and Barcia riding dual exhaust bikes. In the pic above with Trey that bike looks weird crazy but thats what the competition will see. I was like what is that?
"That's a hobby I would pay to do"...I didn't realize being a professional racer was a hobby. Hmmm, with an attitude like that it is no wonder no one will help him. Was a fan and now I wish him the best of luck at his next "hobby". RIP.
Right back at ya BD25. Happy New Years to all. Been a long couple of months. Never really get too excited for SX as I'm all about the outdoors. SX usually just keeps some of the best from competing in the Nats. But I just can't wait until Jan 5.
@ VooDoo.......my answer is RV but it will be interesting! Cheers all.
Davidl I will be at the Dallas Supercross if all goes as planned now, maybe get to say hello..any one else attending Jerry Worlds event??
Cr500AF I am working on that, I will let you know how it turns out..
VooDoo I looked into my crystal ball and it showed me who will win the title, but I cannot divulge that information to anyone. First, it would ruin what is going to be a very exciting and competitive season for everyone, as knowing the outcome before hand is never a good thing. Secondly, it would set me up for legal action from Feld and Monster, since it would lower attendance, costing them a lot of money. What I can say is look for the "Six Pack" to stay intact for most of the season and expect the points chase to come down to the last race in Vegas were the championship will be decided...
Ripdown....Right there with you.. The Great Outdoors is a better test for the talented riders, especially on these modern 4 strokes. However, this season the Monster Energy Supercross Series presented by Feld Entertainment will be something special. It will be full of drama, competitive racing and contain plenty of surprises for all of us fans! It will be a wonderful lead in to the Great Outdoors!!
@BD25--Back at you buddy, and am I the only one pumped for the 250 class also?? Roczen, Tomac, Wilson, Rattray, Stewart( who I feel will finally be consistant and get wins this year) and Anstie, ( I think has loads of talent, my dark horse) the class should be rockin' like the 450's...
BD- I think the west coast will be crazy we also have cole sealy, and Bogle and several others that really rip !!
I have one prediction... James is going to show everyone whats up... I am not a big Stew fan, but he has alot of pressure going into this year. All he has said for the last year was, "wait til january '13".. "Thats my focus" For James, this season is totally do or die. He keeps his cool, he's gonna be dangerous.. Heck, he doesnt keep his cool, He will be dangerous!!! Haha , just in a different way....
Lets all just hope for a good healthy season, for everyone on the gate...
Hi Davey !
Why shorter ? Please, don't cut Racerhead short !
Everywhere, on the Net or in magazines, we get less and less, digital or printed, matter to read... Shorter and shorter stories and info... So keep on giving us our Racerhead ration, s'il vous plait !
Oh yes of course, I'm an old man now, react like an oldschool MX fan, let's say, begging for my reader's stuff : too late to change and kick the habit !
But, serious : I'm OK with changes, no problem, but don't spoil this regular feature we like so much... Please, again. Thanks !
Talk to you with great pleasure as usual, and see you at the races, any side of the ocean !
Eric BRETON, Paris, France
BD25 said it all. So what is new? LOL Yes, keep those posts comin'. And a Happy New Year to all! I am awaiting the East coast rounds with much anticipation. As my local boy #77 The Bullfrog, will be in the mix. So dissapointed that A-mart is on the injured list, and may not make the opener...But, Jeremy is gonna be a threat, I believe, way moreso than he has been credited for. So, yeah, watch this kid. He is the most appreciative guy I think I have ever met. Comes from a good family and is very serious about his future. He trains as hard as anyone and is comitted to his goals. And he sets the bar high! Tough competition, no doubt, but he has already holeshot a moto (Steel City) his second race. While riding less than 100%, due to the injury that forced him to not compete at LL's this year, and finished 8th that moto, again, injured not at 100%. That impressed the heck out of me and I want to see more!!!! Between testing in Calif. and training at the Carmichael compound in Georgia for several months, I see a bright future here. Don't want to jinx the boy, by talking smart here, but after being a moto fan all my life, and to now know a couple guys out there, just makes it like ten times better. Anyway, thanks again all my friends here. And I have to wonder. What did I do with that extra hour a day, I spend here, everday, before I discovered this? LOL Here's to next year!!!
I just hope everyone stays somewhat healthy this year...the injured list last year was crazy!! I'm expecting a return to form for Stewie this year. It's pretty much "make-or-break" for him this year. I also think Canard is gonna surprise some people & if anyone deserves an injury-free year, it's him. The field is SO stacked this year...gonna make for some great racing!! Can't wait!!
IT9 sounds like Larry Ward at the end of his career. Burned out and just looking for a paycheck, fire is gone. I wouldn't hire him...... He should go Snowboarding and enjoy retirement. Thanks for the memories.
somebody help me out here.......is Austin Stroupe racing or what?? Just wondering what happened to such a prospect.
Diet tips: Feel free to eliminate the repeat information from other columns (and links to them). Please continue to post speculation and other miscellaneous info that keep us moto junkies happy.