by Chase Stallo
250 Words: West Region Preview
Thursday, January 3, 2013 | 9:50 AM
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PrintWith one of the most highly anticipated opening rounds in Monster Energy Supercross history just two days away, most of the buzz has centered around the ultra deep, ultra competitive 450SX class. Lost in the headlines of RV’s attempt for a three-peat, the return of Reed and Canard, a revitalized Stewart, the inauguration of Barcia and a second-year for Dungey under KTM, is the 250SX West Region, which is chalk full of rising stars. Here's your spotter's guide to the 2013 season:
Headlining the class is defending West Region champion Eli Tomac. Although Tomac is itching to make the ascending move to the 450SX class, he will have to wait until the 2014 season, or at least until the start of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, or maybe just the east coast supercross rounds this year. But his first assignment is defending his title. The newest member of the GEICO Honda squad, Zach Osborne, will join Tomac on the west coast. Osborne returns to the states full-time in 2013 after spending the last few years competing in the FIM World Motocross Championship in Europe. The Virginia native raced the first four races of the West Region in 2012 with his European based Bike-It Cosworth Yamaha team, garnering two podium appearances before returning to Europe. Justin Bogle, Wil Hahn and Zach Bell will race east.
Eli Tomac's title defense begins this weekend.
Simon Cudby photo
The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki stable looks to reclaim supremacy of the 250SX class after losing out on both championships a year ago. and will send stablemates Blake Baggett, Martin Davalos and Tyla Rattray to battle for supremacy of the west. Baggett, who’s struggled with consistency (in supercross) in recent years, is coming off a wrist injury suffered at the Monster Energy Cup, but should be 100 percent for the opener. Veteran Rattray returns to the team for a fifth season and will be joined by fellow 250SX veteran Martin Davalos—his first with the team. Dean Wilson, Justin Hill and Darryn Durham will race east.
A late off-season arm injury to Ken Roczen before the 2011 season stunted Red Bull KTMs plan of using both Roczen and Marvin Musquin in split duties—the team was hoping to have both race the 250SX West Region and then transition to the 450SX class on the 350 for the east. The plans have changed again this season, as the team will only feature Roczen on the west (Musquin will contest the East Region). This will be Roczen’s second full-time season in supercross.
The Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs Honda team will once again put all of its eggs in one basket—as all three members will contest the 250SX West Region. This is nothing new for the TLD crew as they have been doing it since the team’s inception. Multi-time 250SX winner Cole Seely once again headlines the TLD squadron. He won Anaheim 1 last year, but this year the race will mark the first time Seely has been on the gate since a devastating crash, in which he lost part of his kidney, at last year's Salt Lake City SX. The California native looks to be 100 percent as he explained to our David Pingree earlier this week. Joining Seely will be holdover Christian Craig, who has missed a ton of supercross races with injury the last few years but is ready to go this time. Amateur sensation Jessy Nelson, who’s ascension up the ladder included Rookie of the Year honors in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, looks to enjoy the same success in supercross.
Blake Baggett leads the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki West Region charge.
Simon Cudby photo
J-Star/JDR KTM is another team that will feature all of its riders in the West Region. Holdover Malcolm Stewart will be joined by a pair of new faces. Joey Savatgy will make his pro debut at Anaheim. The Georgia native, and three-time AMA Amateur National Champion at Loretta Lynn Ranch, is making the switch from Suzuki (the bike he’s ridden since 2010) to KTM for his first professional season. Since coming to America full-time in 2010 the powerful Australian-based team has always featured a couple of Aussies, such as Matt Moss and Dan Reardon. This year, Josh Chachia joins the ranks. Chachia, a staple on the JDR team in Australia, raced the last round of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross in 2012 and will race the Monster Energy Supercross 250SX West Region before returning to Australia to contest the Australian MX Nationals.
After a solid year in the West Region in 2012, Jason Anderson returns to headline the Rockstar Energy Racing team on the west coast. Veteran Ryan Sipes will join Anderson on the west coast in his first season with the team. Blake Wharton and Nico Izzi are slated for the east.
From a team that housed up to seven riders at points last season, Star racing enters 2013 much leaner. Gone are Austin Stroupe, Ryan Morais (now Team Manager), Nico Izzi, Gareth Swanepoel, Ryan Sipes, Bobby Kiniry and a handful of replacement riders. Also gone is the partnership with Valli Yamaha. Star will be a one-rider team on the west coast, as the only returning member from the 2012 squad, Kyle Cunningham, will lead the team. Rookie Jeremy Martin will contest the east rounds.
The other half of the Star/Valli spilt, Valli Yamaha, signed long-time Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs rider Travis Baker for 2013. Baker is currently the only member of the team and will contest the West Region.
After a breakout 2012 season Jake Canada is back under the MotoConcepts tent. Canada will ride the west, with newest team member, Gavin Faith, handling the east coast duties.
Jason Anderson returns to lead the Rockstar Energy Racing team out west.
Simon Cudby photo
Others to Watch:
Michael Leib – After his contract was nullified by CLS Kawasaki (Europe) to contest the FIM World Motocross Championships, Michael Leib is back with help from Rocket Exhaust and On Track.
Austin Politelli – Politelli had a very “under-the-radar” rookie year in 2012. Can he find the same success in 2013?
Max Anstie – Anstie, like last year, will only race a handful of 250SX races, as he will be returning to Europe to contest the FIM World Motocross Championships.
Dakota Tedder – Dakota had a career best season in 2012. Will 2013 feature more improvement?
Dillian Epstein – The former Team Green amateur rider will make his pro debut at Anaheim.
Nick Paluzzi – Paluzzi looks to rebound from a treacherous 2012 season.
Derek Anderson – The star of the “Driven to Ride” web series makes his supercross debut at Anaheim.
Chris Plouffe – The second year rider from California looks to rebound from an injury plagued rookie season.
Tyler Bereman – The SoCal kid will make his rookie debut at Anaheim.
Jean Carlos Ramos – All we knew about this dude last year is that he had a cool name. We later found out he's from Brazil. He rode pretty well, too. He'll be back for '13.
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@ChaseStallo: Thanks for this clarification for the 250 class. As you mentioned the emphasis has been on the 450 riders as of late and I was sure that some of these riders were no longer going to be on 250's. The most surprised rider still on a 250 was Deano. And until a few days ago I also thought Eli was trying to get bumped to the 450 class as well. But Weigandt and Matthes clarified that on PulpMX the other night.
Lot's of young guns coming into the ranks for 2013.
Thanks again.
A late off-season arm injury to Ken Roczen before the 2012 season stunted Red Bull KTMs plan of using both Roczen and Marvin Musquin in split duties—the team was hoping to have both race the 250SX West Region and then transition to the 450SX class on the 350 for the east. The plans have changed again this season, as the team will only feature Roczen on the west (Musquin will contest the East Region).
Hey Chase, can you clarify who got hand injury and who is racing which coast? Roczen hurting his arm late in off season and racing west coast doesn't make much sense to me. Thank you!
Politelli will be one to watch! Look for Austin #76 tomorrow night.
@meankx: Sorry for the mistake. That was the 2011 off-season. Roczen is racing the west, Musquin the east.
I'm sure it was stated earlier, but I didn't realize that Wilson was going to be racing East. Guess we won't see a rematch of last year's battles with Tomac. Until the 450 outdoors anyway. His teammate may be Tomac's biggest competition this year.
A lot of talent getting ready to lineup in the 250sx class, but one still has to give the edge to defending champ Tomac over Roczen, and Baggett. Osburne, Anderson, Stewart, Seely, Davalos Rattray and Craig ought to be a blast to watch as they battle for the rest of the top ten spots!!! Feel like a junkie, who is waiting for his fix, Saturday can't get here fast enough!!! 2013 Supercross is going to be, wait for it, Awesome!!
Thanks for clarifying Chase!
Most of the time I find watching 250's more exciting. Those kids go balls to the wall. As 450 riders take a more conservative approach.
Is it Saturday yet???
250 west class is pretty stacked as well and I think there will be some good racing for sure. Tomac is so-so on his starts usally, but he definatley has the edge over the rest of the group....Would like to see Malcom pull off a W, but he seems to faulter like his brother when under pressure or he makes bad moves under uneeded urgencey.....slow your roll MS32 and get a W....Baggett I would also like to see turn it around indoors.....Roczen will be there for sure and the rest will be knocking on the door....
A1: I am going on a limb and picking Davalos for the win......Just have a feelin'.... Tomac will charge to 2nd and Baggett will take 3rd.....Just a guess :)
Good luck boys!!
Jesse Nelson and Christian Craig will surprize...Davalos will not.... Tomac and Kroc and Baggett are definitely gonna scrap....outa be fun to watch......GO DUCKS.
I agree cattledog04.
POLITELLI is on the gas right now at the local supercross tracks.
Austin made all the mains he entered in his 2012 rookie season and put in some good finished as well, but I expect him to have a break through season this year.
Being a California native and racing the east soil last year, he'll be even better on the west coast tracks.
Good Luck Austin, I'm rooting for you !!!!
I cannot believe how many people disagree with Mitch Payton. Mitch has proven time and time again that he knows how to pick guys that are ripe for winning on his bikes.
To say Davalos wasn't a winning pick is to negate the lessons of history.
Hey Chase !
What about Alex Martin , Kyle Peters and Justin Hill
Are Cooper Webb and Shane Mcelrath going pro this year ?
Thanks
JimM
Pala374
This page might add some info.
http://www.racerxonline.com/2012/12/18/2013-team-guide-and-race-schedules
Sounds like Nicoletti , Decotis and Les Smith are going 450 fors ure
JimM
Pala374
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chock-full
Wow the west is stacked this year.Tomac's competion is Roczen and Baggett.Anybody think DD can win the east over Wilson?.
When it comes to rabid fans in the stands, some people think of the Superbowl, others the World Series, or the perhaps the World Cup, but come Saturday night, in a little town called Anaheim, Angels stadium will be rocking the most intense fans of all! That's right folks, its time for the opening round of 2013 Supercross Series!!
For the last couple of months the fans have been getting restless and tired of rehashing the what ifs caused by the injury filled 2012 season. To stir things up, RacerX chums the waters and drops the Top 30 Supercross Riders of all time list and ignites the frenzy. As the count down got closer to number one, the fans started showing their teeth, getting nastier with each name that was dropped. Their passion on full display, the conversation was turning into a raging sea of ravaging words by those who disagreed, with the list. The waters finally started to calm as the top three were revealed, some how pacifying the angry posters, but it was only a calm before the storm..
My friends the storm is almost upon us, come Sunday morning, all the speculation will have turned into reality.The conversation will be filled with those of us trying to analyze the results and inner workings of what went down the previous night. All of this because we are the most intense loyal and all knowing fans of any sport on earth...fore we are the fans of Supecross!!!!
@JimboMX374: Martin, Justin Hill and Kyle Peters are all racing the East Region. Webb and McElrath are expected to make their pro debuts at Hangtown.
Thanks Chase !
JimM
Pala374
The Davalos thing is interesting. Too many heat race wins to say they were flukes. But when it comes to the main event, he gets a case of what the golfers call the "yips." Guessing that Mitch figures if he can get him over the yips, he has a contender. How? Who knows? Hypnotism, Jedi mind tricks, whatever.
Not even saying it's likely, but if MD gets a couple podiums early, he might keep getting them.
250's always provide an exciting counterpoint to the "premeire" class.
No predictions (or jinxes), but E.T. & K-Roc certainly seem easy favorites.
@ ElsinoreRacer, I'm thinking it's more "dog shock collar" than "jedi mind trick" with Payton & co., but I would never question his methods.......too many #1's on the doors.
@ carlsbad, I toyed with saying "invisible fence jockstrap on a remote" but couldn't edit it down so it flowed. Writing is hard.
@ ElsinoreRacer, so is motivating his employees, but Mitch finds a way!
The rise of GEICO Honda, KTM & Rockstar Suzuki has made the 250F E&W (formally known as the "Just give Mitch the trophy" series) a tough nut to crack, but I'm confident they will be in contention for the title at the end.
It's nice (for anyone NOT wearing team PC colors) to know that the competition is (finally) rising to the occassion and that there are viable options to signing with them.
@ carlsbad
Mitch Payton uses high pressure water to keep the planet of the apes in line ! LOL !
really hoping all the riders stay healthy and safe this year!!! It will be great to watch if so. Love Eli, great kid. There are so many others. Would love to see a little sleeper of Justin Hill go kick some hiney, another great kid.
So here is to a great supercross season, I love the underdogs.....Hill(both), Pieck...to name just a few.
Go ride hard and stay safe....all of you. It should be a great season
@graz11 - I believe that DD44 will get some wins and could, with some luck, be in it for the championship. He is one of the few on the East Coast that has won a main event before. So he has the speed, the team, and now the confidence/experience. I think he will do well. Plus he always has time for my son who pesters him constantly at the races!
If Rattray is still on a 250f when he reaches 30 yrs old- I'm gonna have to start raggin on him. Get it done this time Tyla- then move on.
And fake SrcubThisLoserPoser- If you are indeed my 'prostrate' now- then I just took a greasy shit all over you.
ENJOY!