10 Things to Watch: Toronto
Friday, March 22, 2013 | 1:35 PM
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PrintMillsaps Returning to Form
Following a knee-tweaking practice crash prior to Daytona, Davi Millsaps lumbered to a season’s worst 10th. Although he looked much stronger in Indy, Millsaps struggled with arm pump since he didn't have a normal week of preparation. “Like I said, you can’t miss a beat during the week and expect to go that pace the whole time,” Millsaps said after Indy. Millsaps also stated that he should be able to return to his normal routine this week. Will refound health help Millsaps chase Ryan Villopoto in Toronto? – Chase Stallo
Gone Streaking
Right now, it’s Ryan Villopoto’s world, we’re just living in it. The two-time defending 450SX champion has won three straight and four of five to pull a 9-point gap over Millsaps and a 17-point lead over Ryan Dungey. Villopoto looks unstoppable at the moment. But, as we all know, things can change in an instant. Will Villopoto make it four in a row in Toronto? – Stallo
You think the champ means business? Look at him attack this rut. And then watch him attack some more this weekend.
Cudby Photo
Instant Recovery
At just 19 years of age, MyPlash/Metal Mulisha Star Racing Yamaha rookie Jeremy Martin has shown the mental fortitude of a crafty veteran. Following a DNQ at Dallas, Martin went on a tear that included three consecutive top fives—including his first career podium. How will Martin rebound from a career worst 20th last weekend? – Stallo
Following in the Footsteps
Privateers have found a home in the 250SX East Region. AG Motorspots’ Kyle Peters has two top fives this season (including a podium). AJ Catanzaro rode to a career-high fourth last weekend, while rookie Mitchell Oldenburg, 250 veterans Vince Friese and Jimmy Decotis and young-gun Cole Thompson have all had their moments. Who will be the next privateer to make a run at the podium? – Stallo
Wil Hahn
Although he came from 19th to finish on the podium in Indy, points leader Wil Hahn was not happy with the way he rode. “I was riding defensive, and that’s not how I am. That bums me out when I ride like that,” Hahn told Racer X after the race. With Marvin Musquin making a run at the points lead, will Hahn return to form in Toronto? – Stallo
Go Time
Ryan Dungey is known for steadiness over aggression, but he was certainly going for it when he saw title-rival Ryan Villopoto up ahead of him in Indy. With crunch-time in sight, expect RD5 to push the limit again in Toronto. What will happen when he does? – Jason Weigandt
UpHill Battle
Don’t look now but Josh Hill’s results are slowly improving. So far this year he’s notched an eighteenth, a DNQ, a sixteenth and a pair of fifteenths. In Indianapolis, Hill took the next with twelfth. Will this upward trend continue in Toronto and result in Hill’s first top-ten finish of 2013? – Aaron Hansel
Hill boys are, ahem, climbing the ranks heading into Toronto.
Cudby photo
Blake Wharton
The Asterisk medical crew is good, but even they wouldn't have been able to help mend the broken heart that Blake Wharton must have had after throwing away a sure win in Indy with less than a lap to go. To make matters even worse, the AMA penalized Wharton four spots, dropping him from fifth to ninth, for skipping a short section when getting back on the track. Of course, the best way to wash away the sting of a blown race is by winning the following weekend, which, judging by how well Wharton was riding at Indy, is something he could certainly do this weekend in Toronto. -- Hansel
Kyle Peters
AG Motorsports’ Kyle Peters turned pro last year aboard a factory Yamaha with the then-named Star-Valli Motorsports team. Riding through injury for the majority of the year, Peters was never really able to show his true abilities in the pro ranks, and his contract with the team was not renewed. Now, a healthy Peters is riding remarkably well, scoring a career high of second place at Indy. One has to wonder if his performance this year is enough to make his former team second guess the decision not to resign him. Will Peters’ score another podium in Toronto? -- Hansel
You can shrug off last week's rough finish in Indy. Jeremy Martin has the speed to contend for a race win in Toronto. You heard it here first.
Cudby photo
Foreign Soil
The dirt in Toronto used to be some of the worst that Monster Energy Supercross had to offer. After being stored outside in the elements all year, the frozen dirt would thaw after being brought into the warmth of the Rogers Centre. The melting dirt would develop nasty ruts and break down quickly. But thanks to a new, drier storage location, the dirt holds up much better, leaving this year’s title contenders with fewer variables to worry about come Saturday night. -- Hansel
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Hill jr looks like a baby face Canard... I say he takes it ....
Cole Thompson on the box at home. Stamp it! Or else he leaves on an Asterisk mule, as he crashes almost as much as Zach Bell.
In Toronto, The Dunge will have his hands full with Milsaps I am guessing while RV and Stewart are out front. They (RV and Stew) will be 1 and 2 after nailing great starts, not sure what order but I am guessing RV plays it cool if RD and Saps are behind him ..Reed might make an appearence up front this weekend and play into the points gain/loss for those guys as well- He has to get up there sooner or later....Canard is out for Toronto, so Stewart could possibly climb into the top 5 in points if he grabs another W, not bad considering his year...What else, Oh Musquin will win #3 in a row.....
the track will claim a front runner this weekend. Not much of a stretch but everyone is pushing now. The defensive thought of "You can't win the series in a race but you can loose it" is out the window. Stewart will be the only one riding with some semblance of caution to prevent ruining his National series.
Nothing about Chad?
I hope Chad rides Yamaha next year when their new bike comes out. You know Chad is not liking the Honda this year.
Yamaha has already made a few phone calls to Chad. If the issues with the Honda don't get worked out it seems like a possibility that he could go blue. you never know.
hopefully Wharton only got docked the positions he gained by skipping that part of the track- I don't think many riders would have gone back to where he wrecked then started racing- he wasn't trying to cheat at all in my book.
Bummer mistake for him and better luck this week.
May no one get hurt tomorrow and I am very impressed with some great riding RD, JS, DM have been doing and hope the best for CR, JB, and TC.
GO RV !!!
That picture of RV rocks. He's almost dragging the side panels.
RD has to finish in front of RV this weekend, or his only hope for a championship is RV making a huge mistake.
I hope Reed has a sudden turn-around and ends up on the podium, but its starts getting a bit more predictable by this point in the season, and he seems a bit off the pace it takes to get there.
....Is Chad even racing next year? As a lot Reed fans said about Stewart last year...." It's not the bike".... funny how things change....Stewart on a new bike and a bum knee is challenging for wins and has avoided those Yamaha Blue Bails we saw so many of in 2011 and 2012...interesting indeed. Reed seems to be on the fence about retiring and with his buddy Wilson down and out for the rest of the year, not many folks will be knockin on Deans door for a ride in 2014 - So Wilson may be the Two Two guy next year....Not sure Reed would want his team to be the guinea pig for the new Yamahahaha
A much drier storage for the dirt?? Lets hope not too dry.. We dont need more of the West Coast style crappy dry dirt..
@KilloMoto---Reed retire?? He is in 4th place in the points right, he is doing pretty good for just turning 31 years old..he is ahead of Barcia, Canard Stewie and Short..Is anyone talking about them quitting?? If no then why should Reed..
Look at how high in the rut RV is riding, now that's bike Controll!! The pictures I have seen of JS, and others in that same rut they were way down in the bottom. It is easy to see why RV can go through that stuff faster than others.
The reason guys like RC, RV and JS can make up huge point gapes is because they have the ability to win in streaks. DM has always been able to win on occasion but putting together streaks is a thing he has not been able to do.
Sorry for the mis-spell
Gaps not Gapes.
@bd200... Nothing official of course, but the retire rumors have been kicked around here and there since last year and it wouldnt have anything to do with the current point standings, except maybe if he was 1st..Sure, he is in 4th in the standings - a very distant 4th with no wins to date nor even any laps lead...That is a BIG step in the wrong direction for a guy like Reed......It would be " the right time" so to speak and he has his eyes on 4 wheels as well.... I hope thedude still races and pulls the Kdub or LaRocco racing into their 30s...and im not even a big fan of the guy..... So who knows...
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I don't think Reed is done yet.
I'm with MX Bob on that RV pic... one of the best this year! That is absolutely sick!!
I can see at least more shake up in the points.
If I were Reed why not retire? I'd say he's accomplished all the MX/SX goals he might have set for himself. He must be at least ok financially. He probably has more fans now then at any other point in his career. Considering his age and family I would retire and not give it a second thought. He's been there done that, why risk your entire future?
Marvelous Marvin Musquin wins another!!!
I think Reed is more than financially OK. I though I heard his net worth is in the 10s of millions, I'm thinking 50 or 60.
It makes a lot of sense to most of us for him to retire soon, but I think athletes that achieve at that high of a level don't look at things the same way us "ordinary" guys do. Every sport there is, you see once great athletes trying to string it out as long as they can. I'm pulling for him, but it hard to find an extra second a lap at this point in the season.
GoergianaLingas
First off douche bag you spelled your name wrong second fake are those boobies and finally 3rd is your advertising on the wrong site.........SO 3 FAKES YOUR OUT ! BOY GEORGE !
@ TORONTOTWIST, don't know if you are a regular on here or just come one for the Toronto race?
Doesn't matter, your recent post says, you NEED to be a regular!
Some funny S&%T my friend. In typical Canuck style. Most of the friends I have or folks I know from Cananda, are hilarious!
Thanks for the laugh, glad you posted back to Georgiana because I was about too!
@ Cunning Lingas, I mean Georgiana, can you explain how your add got on this forum?
That is interesting.
Sorry guys, couldn't help myself!
Reed has said that he was thinking of making 2012 his last year, until he got hurt. Then he felt like there was unfinished business. Personally, I think he goes another year based on not being happy with his results this year.
I've seen many pictures of RV doing that even though most fast riders will tell you to look ahead. Anyone have any insight? Is it because of the technicality of the rut being so deep? ...just curious
I'm curious. Are there any Villadodo fans who think there will be a weekend that he doesn't win?
Personally I believe right now RV has more pressure on him than ever. His fans want a three-peat, his sponsors want a three-peat, he has RD riding just as well as he is the last two races, and the pressure of a winning streak only adds to the tension. His point gap is not that big right now over Milsaps or Dungey, a simple mistake and he can lose that red plate. Dungey on the other hand has nothing to lose really. I expect to see him throw caution to the wind, take the gloves off, and start pushing to the max, which should bring about great racing. If I was coaching him I would turn him loose...or at least DEMAND that he push himself to the edge, if not over it. I would tell him that he is not to let Villadodo or Milsaps finish in front him no matter what.
Milsaps situation is not much different. He may as well ride as hard as he can and take no prisoners.
On another note: @MXBob~ Reed is not worth no $50 or $60 million bucks. Not sure where you heard that but there is no way, unless he won a lottery or hit the stock market just right.
jw621557- I think RV is the most likely one to win any given race, but of course I don't think he will win them all, maybe half the remaining races but who knows? He could mess up just as easy as RD,DM or any of the others. As far as pressure I think he wants to rack up as many points as he can and will focus on each race and if successful protect his lead to Vegas. If he falls behind he will race for the win no matter what. Pressure tends to make him do better.
If millsaps can win and end up with the red plate this weekend I think we will be just as surprised as after a1 I'm hoping that happens for drama.
I bet Reed retires I doubt he wants to risk having a worst season than this one. Even though he's in fourth in points he he could easily be back in tenth and most guys don't want to retire like that. Next year will be even tougher I think.
@jw621557
Are you serious? Dungey is one race off the podium away from being 25 points behind RV. A whole race worth of points. Dungey is going backwards and losing points every week. You obviously don't understand that Dungey has to finish in front of RV, which he rarely does, to gain points on RV.
But you said it best. RV has to make a mistake for Dungey to catch up. Because Dungey can't or won't do it by beating RV for wins. That's for sure.
Mudflaps is good for podiums still, but that's it. just a podium.
A few questions
Who has the points lead right now?
And who has won the most races?
I will give you a hint, the first name is Ryan but what's the last name?
:)
Surprised there's been only one comment about where Villopoto appears to be looking. In my experience, every time you look directly at a rut, you crash. Any comments?
I'm not sure he's actually looking at the rut, even if it appears that way. He's concentrating on his body, his bike position, his leg, his elbows everything in fact in order to produce the feeling he's developed for riding deep ruts on the training track. The reason he's so high in the rut is because he wouldn't have the ground clearence to get that much lean if he was lower down, and lean is speed. That sucker is deeeeeep.
Hey, I could be totally wrong, but that's my take on what is an awesome pic.
coolest berm maneuver I ever saw was Jim Gibson go around a sand berm in St. Pete. National with his tires barely touching top lip while he was leaning on another rider who was holding him up. neither crashed .
Killomoto: I see you're already making excuses for your boy IF he and JS are running 1, 2 in this race.... Also, the difference in Stewart this years is ATTITUDE-not bike. He has had a very refreshing attitude adjustment for whatever reason.
persona: You must be an old bitter fart...