by Aaron Hansel
Practice Report: A2
Saturday, January 19, 2013 | 8:20 PM
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PrintThe final practice has ended here at A2 and neither of the normal two qualifying assassins, James Stewart and Eli Tomac, set the fastest time in their respective sessions. But before we get into a breakdown of how practice went, the track deserves a brief mention. It has a few tricky sections, most notably a rhythm lane that requires some serious precision to get through cleanly and safely. The fast line requires riders to triple a set of jumps in the middle of the lane, and if a rider fails to perfectly downside the landing, hitting the next combo, which is a table-on-jump-off, becomes an extremely dicey affair, especially for the 250 guys. That said, these are the best guys in the world, and very few of them have had trouble hitting the line consistently. Some of the top 450 guys, as well as Tomac, have even started jumping completely over that table on their way out of the lane.
In the first timed 250 qualifier, Ryan Sipes was initially fastest, but a few laps in Zach Osborne set a 55.273 to take over the lead. Of course, it wasn’t long before his teammate, Tomac, busted out a 54.959, which would end up being the fastest lap of that session. Osborne’s 55.273 was second fastest, followed by Sipes (55.454), Martin Davalos (55.523), Ken Roczen (55.657) and Cole Seely (55.746).
Roczen was fastest in practice. Will the Tomac-Roczen battle finally materialize?
Photo: Cudby
The second session was a slightly different story. Davalos was at the top of the leaderboard for short period, but Roczen took over and ended up fastest with a 54.515, followed by Davalos (54.769), Jason Anderson (54.961)and Tomac (55.306). If the fact that Tomac didn’t set the fastest time bothered him, he certainly didn’t show it. He maintained his super aggressive style and experimented with several different rhythm options. To the delight of the crowd on hand, he even threw out several monstrous whips. He didn’t set the fastest lap, but it sure looked like he was feeling it out there.
In the first 450 qualifier, there really wasn’t a whole lot going on. Davi Millsaps and Chad Reed both spent portions of the session on top, but Ryan Villopoto would close it out as the fastest rider by laying down a 53.984. James Stewart, who we now know is riding with a torn ACL, put in a hot lap at the very end, but his 54.586 wasn’t enough to topple Villopoto’s time.
RV wants the red plate back
Photo:Cudby
In the final 450 qualifier Villopoto picked up where he left off by setting the fast time, but Reed quickly bounced him from the top of the board. Reed looked more comfortable on the bike than he’s looked at the first two rounds, and for the most part, his lap times reflected that, as they were much more competitive than they’ve been so far this year. He also tossed in some big whips for good measure and was one of the few guys who was jumping completely out of a rhythm section instead of landing on the final table and squirting off. But it was Villopoto who was once again fastest, and he was the only rider to dip below the 53-second mark with a 52.976. Dungey was second fastest with a 53.653, followed by Stewart (53.991), Millsaps (54.057), Reed (54.205), Canard (54.326) and Justin Barcia (54.489).
For a complete listing of times from qualifying, visit results.amasupercross.com. For updates on tonight’s action, keep it locked right here at Racer X Online, and follow us on Twitter, @racerxonline.
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RV is ON IT!!!! are thing back to the Norm??
He better get a start and STAY OFF THE GROUND!!! LOL
What's up with Windham? No qualifying time...no night show. Is he okay?
@phrodrek, Windham hurt his back early in the day. I believe he is announcing his retirement tonight and not racing the rest of 2013 or beyond.
RacerX did not mention it but Roczen had a brutal crash at the end of the last practice session. Looks like he hurt his shoulder and knee. Limped off the track holding on with one hand. Not good.
Sounds like the track may be a bit tricky tonight! The Sensational Seven hold the top seven lap times, Brayton, Wiemer and Tickle rounding out the top 10. Hanson and Ray are together again at 39th and 40th so both are in for th night show by just barely. Odd not seeing Kevin Windham's name on the list....Okay, here to the guys have a safe night of racing as they thrill the crowd with the best motorsport action on earth!!
@JonR145
Thanks for the response...
Huge bummer if he does...but I'm sure we all would understand. We need more class acts out there like him!
You're right JonR145...
(For those who didn't see) Roczen's get off on the webcast. He way overshot the corner in the sand section... His bike went flying over the berm sideway, and he followed it. Landed flat in the next lane. I was very happy to see him get up, but he was definantly shooken up. He was limping then putted around the track with his left hand in his lap :/
Hope he's okay.
I am surprised by no mention of Roczen's crash. He appeared to be hurting.
I guess RV is now the fastest man on the planet. Hopefully he can stay upright in the main.
Just heard Windham is retiring. Really bummed. Thanks for representing the sport like a true pro K-Dub. It wont quite be the same without you.
Stinks about kdub. Roczen rode the fastest lap, but its been taken away. check amasupercross timing for the note at the bottom. said he cut a corner
''Ok, officially KW is only out for tonight due to bad back--but expect an announcement on more tonight during opening ceremonies'' From the RacerX twitter. I think he'll announce that he is retiring after 2013.
http://results.amasupercross.com/xml/SX/events/S1315/S2Q6OVR.pdf
I see were back to SX/freestyle.....ought to be good for a few injuries.....damn.
I was just setting the DVR and noticed Speed and CBS are airing 250 and 450 SX simultaneously tomorrow. Nice.
why can't practice be 2-3 individual laps like they do in NASCAR...its probably hard to set a fast time in traffic and some people in the line ahead of you are not even doing the big jumps.
Hope it's not too serious for K-Dub
@cbrn38, maybe Roczen makes the two fastest lap time and one was canceled?
Sweet...I like KW14, but that ride is needed for a young guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0sITOH_IvcI
Kroc crash
I always wanted to see K-Dub on Service Honda 500AF (in practice on outdoor mx racetrack), just for the pleasure of the eyes
I am all for a finish which shakes the points up and has 7 guys all with in 5 points by the end of the night...dont know if it is possible but it would be great....Still cant help but root for the Honda boys again tonight...
Speaking of Honda,, If 14 has really called it quits I hope he gets a standing O by the fans at A2..They represent all of us, so show him some noise if he announces his final bow....Which could lead to a 450 Geico spot for ET to fill very soon...
Think of all the riders 14 has raced against starting from the Amateur days like Reynard Huffman Metzger Pingree Decker..I remember being a Novice at the World Mini in the early 90's and watching that group of intermediates thinking "nope I'm good" hahaha...and here we are 2013 and he is inside the top 10 with this group of 450 riders.....Just amazing I dont know what else to say...
http://www.racerxonline.com/2013/01/19/kevin-windham-calls-it-a-career
If K-Dub retires, it will open a Honda spot of Tomac--maybe Windham saw the writing on the wall.. Honda will not lose Tomac.. Even if its over at Factory Connection for Canard or Tomac there..