Racer X Redux: Ensemble Cast
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 | 12:20 PM
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PrintIn the television world, it's called the ensemble cast. You build a show around several characters roughly equal in importance and develop storylines around each of them. It differs from the typical movie script, which uses only a central character or two, and places everyone else in supporting roles. Since TV has to churn out different plots week after week, the ensemble plan works better.
Works a lot better for racing, too, since, like a TV show, it's a series and not a single feature. But this sport rarely follows that model. Heck, a season with just two lead dogs is considered exceptional to us. So we're all pumped on 2013 because there are four characters that are well known to the fans, and all four of them have won this Monster Energy Supercross title before. That alone gets us excited. But then the Anaheim 1 opener worked like an open audition.
For about 15 laps, none of the four main stars were even in podium spots. Instead, several other riders went straight to the top, and the race was so crazy that it's going to take a long time to untangle it. The RV/Dungey/Reed/Stewart quad is not going to just re-take over this weekend in Phoenix. It's too messy right now. And, regardless if Davi Millsaps sinks or swims from here on out, he's going to be a story. If Davi wins again in Phoenix everyone will talk about it, of course, but if he finishes tenth, everyone will still ask: “So, what happened with Millsaps?” Before Anaheim 1, a tenth place finish for Millsaps in Phoenix would not have been news. Now, it will stoke the bench-racing flames. With Millsaps, we've just added another main character that you'll have to keep an eye on for a while.
Two more guys you'll officially have to be watching in Phoenix.
Carl Stone photo
And you know what? Millsaps' win proves a victory is possible for many other riders. A few months ago, we interviewed with Millsaps’ mentor Ezra Lusk on this site, and Ezra said his main project is to make Davi believe he can be one of the top guys. But it's not easy to make that leap, mentally. Before the race, everyone had Millsaps sitting firmly in what's been dubbed the “second tier.” Now that he's made the leap, other riders in that group, the Josh Grant/Andrew Short/Jake Weimer/Justin Braytons of the world will surely look at that and say, “Hey, I've raced with Davi before. If he can do it, I can do it.”
Is it true? Well, Davi has always had elite-level talent and perhaps he's able to take a leap higher than the others. But at least for a moment, his win has raised the potential ceiling of a half-dozen other racers, and stuff like that really matters in a sport so defined by the mental game.
So Anaheim 1 made Millsaps a main player in the show. Good or bad, we'll be watching him closely. We also now have Trey Canard on board. Okay, we knew Canard's comeback would make a great story, but in this sport you have to contend for wins for that story to be truly relevant. No doubt that he's there now.
Heading into this race, everyone wanted to see Canard do well. There is no greater injustice in sports than an athlete with talent and desire who has it all taken away by injuries. Yeah, we're intrigued by those who simply burned their talent (key "Where's J-Law?" for the 7346th time), but it's much, much sadder when a kid does everything right and doesn't get rewarded for it. And yet, there was a very real chance that Canard was going to have to walk away from the sport with only a fraction of his potential fulfilled.
Whew! That's not going to be the case. I talked to quite a few people in Trey's camp this weekend, and they all indicated that he's riding even better than he was pre-injury. Not only did he get hsi health and strength back, but he has gelled with the new 2013 Honda. It was obvious from practice that he still has it. You want to talk storylines? As amazing and awesome and impressive as Millsaps' win was, a victory by Canard would have been even more shocking. Would you not put “returning from a year-off with a broken back with a win at Anaheim 1” as one of the all-time great wins in the history of this sport? Or any sport? Didn't happen, but the potential is there, and now this is a story we'll have to follow. Canard is back, the injury is behind him and I submit he really may be better than ever now. In the past, Trey has always been too hard on himself, but now he's so grateful just to be racing at all, I think that pressure is finally off. He's going to be good and that's a great story to watch.
Will Millsaps' win give confidence to others, like Josh Grant?
Simon Cudby photo
Justin Barcia finished seventh, but he didn't disappoint, either. I was surprised to hear he was apparently quite nervous during the day and didn't ride like himself, because I predicted Bam Bam would be immune to such things. I guess the pressure of Anaheim 1 trumps even the most confident riders. Anyway, even on a night that wasn't so good for him, Barcia won a heat race and was in contention for the lead for most of the way. He'll be better (as soon as this weekend) so look out.
To that matrix—Millsaps, Canard and Barcia being real players, plus the potential confidence boost to several others—we add the usual suspects. Chad Reed never looked fast but he ended up right where he needed to be, in fourth. Ryan Dungey wasn't spectacular, either, but he's Ryan Dungey so he'll be there for the long haul. Stewart's status is unknown, but as always with him, it's a story regardless of it's good or bad. And while Ryan Villopoto certainly holds the potential to dominate, he's dug himself a big enough hole to where he can't flip things 180 very quickly. Even if RV crushes the field this weekend, the others put too big of a foot forward to be counted out this early. In other words, this ensemble is going to be here for a while. Enjoy the show.
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I like the sport over any one rider so bring on anyone that has the nuts to hang it out.
Could not find much to disagree with in that column. Nice write up Jason.
I'm with pizza, hopefully Tomac will get a 450 on the east series.
I know Canard has had a lot of bad luck and injuries that would make most of us hang up the boots but I wasn't too surprised to see him upfront. He's always been fast indoors and he got to come back on the same color bike with the same team. I was more surprised by Davi's win because he was on a new team, new bike, and he's also had nagging injuries the last couple years.
Thing that makes Canard and Millsaps' story so cool is that they never looked to be hanging it out...apart from a few instances Millsaps looked the most in control I have seen him since the 25o days..and his spped through the whoops however small they were was the best on the night as evidenced by how he literally blew by canard on the last lap.
Coming off of a back surgery myself - Spine Fusion after neglecting a cracked vertebrae for years i can tell you I have never been stronger or happier - sometimes when you are down it changes your perspective...that is why I got huge chills when Canard done so well...heck I even posted last week that i thought he'd win - look it up - he almost did!
Millsaps looked real strong and in control and i do not think we have seen the last of him at all.
The supercross cast has been set: Millsaps and Canard are feel good stories, both have battled back from what could have been career ending injuries, the two Ryans are the present day champs, trying to stay at the top, Reed and Stewart, the cranky ole ex-champs, who want to revive their glory days, and then Barcia, the super Rookie who wants to jump right to the top. Also, we may have guest appearances later in the season by future rookie sensations Tomac and Roczen. What a show this could turn out to be, hope to see it renewed in the Great Outdoors!!!
I posted a comment the other day about how hopefully milsaps continues to get good finishes and an occassional win so it will motivate some of the other guys who have the talent but lack the confidence lets face it these guys most of them on any given day can run a track at pretty close the same speed without the preassure of a race but the problem is some of them start believing they are inferior to the top dogs and milsaps showed that it doesnt have to be that way
It has been said many times, Supercross is as much mental as it is physical. A rider needs Comfort & Confidence, a big dose of both can really change a rider! Back in the days of MC many of the riders were riding for 2nd place when they showed up, because they believed Jeremy was faster. Same with RC, most riders showed up happy to take second cause they were in awe. Granted both were great riders, but when they came up, they had the strong belief in themselves they feared no one, which put them over the top. That is the thing Barcia and the nest group of racers have going for them, they fear no one and have a strong belief in themselves.
@ BD25
Dont forget AC-92 Was talking to Alessi, His dad ,Genova, Mc, Mr.Mx, Art Eckman and the goose at the race .. We all mentioned his name not now but in the future look out............ Mike is not liking the forks yet......I'll see Mr-Mx and everyone in Phoenix..I have a big job going on down there.........
Phoenix1 I was wondering how the Ohlins were working out on Mike's bike.I had heard they had fallen behind the times and were trying to become relevant again. I ran gold Ohlins on my 03 GasGas 250MX and while my 125MX came with WP forks. I actually like the WP forks better, they seemed plusher...I am sure Ohlins will figure it out though... Say Hi to Mr Mx for me when you see him again.. Call MC Rookie for me, we shared a few adult beverages together in Rochchester back in 97 at the Holiday Inn, that was the night Button introduced me to the Captain...ahhh good times
"Where's J-Law?"
Probably in trouble with The-Law.....
https://www.facebook.com/JLaw338
I don't buy it! Everything that happened this weekend was a fluke - by rd. 4 the top 4 or 5 guys will be dominating like they should - I understand that you guys need to try & make a story out of this but lets be realistic - you (& Speed Channel) did the same thing when Grant lucked into that win at the opener in 2009 & he never did anything else ........some guys have Championship caliber & some don't
I heard from a friend of an in-law's girlfriend of JLaw's girlfriend, shit's goin fine.... he just lay's low cause all the Christian moto fans love to hate their enemies. Also, it's now legal and allowed to ride blazed in Washington... don't be surprised to see another Jlaw podiuim there!
Great article Jason but I would have to say that Canard has always been a contender (as much as the other 4), he just hasn't had a full season to prove it. Didn't he win a race in the 450 class one year? This guy is a threat and I guarantee you that the other 4 have known this all along. Trey's biggest problem has always been his confidence but you pointed it out perfectly that he may have now overcome this by his humble attitude that he is just happy to be out there racing. We have the chance to have 7 separate race winners in one season. We also have a lot of spoilers this year in the likes of Shorty, Brayton, Tickle, Grant, and Weimer. Any one of these guys can slip inside the top five on a good day which certainly would mess the points up for the contenders.
Theres one hit wonders in music and in motocross everybody said it wasnt the yamaha causing stewarts problems i bet now that davi is somewhat liked and is white and has won a race every other year it will now be the YAMAHA that cause the problems, if Millsapps doesnt win again then it will go back to Stewarts making excuses and the results are going to be the same yamaha or suzuki, proud of you james for thinking straight getting a decent result in the main, you have to be in to win it isnt that what dungey says, canard almost ate it on the last lap, someone is in Villipotos head is his name is barcia, stewart let these guys beat each other up take your speed and the only thing dungey does best which is finish and avoid the mayhem hopefully this will be stewarts year stay on the down low stay focused barcia, canard, reed, villipoto are going to beat each other up that leaves dungey. RV took a dirt sample at monster energy cup he took more than enough at A! he crashed before yet no human dart or bobble jokes, theres a reason so many hate on james is not because what he does or says its what he represents that you all are afraid of, ive always said Eminem and Stewart have so much in common they both went from not having a lot of money growing up to being able to afford anything they want and they still have to keep proving themselves because they chose a business many would rather not see them in.
Very good article Jason - Thanks!
One industries needs to custom design some pants for Davey. If you look at picture, looks like he dropped a load. I don't normally check out guys butts, during the race I noticed he reached back over a jump and was pulling his pants back up and also a few times during his victory lap.