10 Things to Watch: Anaheim 1
Saturday, January 5, 2013 | 6:30 AM
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PrintBy Chase Stallo and Aaron Hansel
Back from Injury
You can't assess supercross 2013 without talking about Chad Reed and Trey Canard. Both exited early last year with injury, but prior to that, both were on the short list of riders that could win on any given night. How will the two of them fair at A1? Will they immediately reassert themselves as title threats, or will they take several rounds to reacquire the speed necessary to win in Monster Energy Supercross? Will they find their old speed at all? Stay tuned.
The Rookie
You don't need to see his name to know that this entry is going to be about Justin Barcia. He’s not just a rookie, he’s the rookie. He isn't intimidated by anyone, as proven by his performance at the Monster Energy Cup. Don't expect this to be a work in progress, expect to see the best of Barcia from the drop of the gate tomorrow. Will Bam Bam live up to his moniker? No matter what happens, it’s safe bet that just about everyone will be paying attention to what Barcia does this Saturday night in Anaheim.
The Book of Eli
Eli Tomac is packing the 250SX West number-one plate, as well as a heaping helping of momentum based on a race win against the big boys on a 450 at the MEC. Is he set for a dominant last run on a 250, or can someone challenge him?
Justin Barcia makes his 450SX debut tonight.
Simon Cudby photo
High Standards
Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen is used to the spotlight. He rose to prominence at a young age—becoming the youngest winner in FIM World Championship Motocross history at the tender age of 15—and has since captured an MX2 World Championship, multiple 250SX wins, and recently lead Germany to its first ever Chamberlain Trophy. He's raced Monster Energy Supercross since 2011, and expectations for Roczen have elevated. The German will have to contend with defending 250SX West Region champion Eli Tomac, multi-time 250SX winner Cole Seely, reigning 250MX champion Blake Baggett and a host of others as he looks to capture his first career 250SX title. In a short season (nine races in 250SX) Anaheim 1 plays a pivotal role. Will Roczen fire out of the gate, or will Tomac and company reign supreme?
Risky Business
Many were critical of Mitch Payton’s off-season signing of veteran Martin Davalos. After all, Davalos has toiled in the 250SX class for the better part of the last decade without a win and has yet to show he’s a legitimate title contender. There’s no question of Davalos’ speed—his multiple heat wins attest to the fact—but he’s never been able to put it all together. While one race isn’t typically a prelude to an entire season, a quick start from Davalos would help quite the critics.
The Polarizer
James Stewart. Whether or not his name is mentioned in an article, it’s bound to show up in the comment section below, most often in raging debate. All argument aside, we can say for certain that Stewart is going set the fastest times in practice on a regular basis, and he’s probably going to win some races this year. He’s had a quiet off-season, has been testing out west a bunch and says he’s been riding the same basic motorcycle since October, as opposed to last year when he switched forks two weeks before the season, and his team didn't receive race tires until a week before the first race. Will Stewart’s new home at Yoshimura Suzuki usher in the kind of results he was searching for last year?
Arenacross
Angel Stadium won’t be the only venue hosting a major racing debut this Saturday night, as the first round of AMSOIL Arenacross will be going off in the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. With a host of big new rule changes, which can be read about here, the Arenacross season opener not only carries the excitement of a fresh season, but will help decide if the new format is as good in practice as it is in theory. It will also be broadcast live on Speed immediately preceding the airing of the opening round of supercross, so be sure to either check it out live or set the timers on your DVRs.
Hill Climb
After missing the entire 2011 season due to severe injuries suffered while trying to do a backflip, Josh Hill tried to return to the pro scene at A1 last year. Unfortunately a heat race incident resulted in a broken leg, and yet another season on the sidelines. But all that’s behind him now, and Hill, who will be on factory Suzuki equipment with Dodge/Sycuan RCH racing, will begin rebuilding the foundation that saw him vie for the points lead early in 2010. Carmichael says his rider needs to just ride through the first eight rounds, rebuild confidence, and then hit the charge button in the second half. Will he hit the ground running, or will he just plain hit the ground?
After finishing second overall in the 450SX class last season, Davi Millsaps will debut his new ride (Suzuki) and team (Rockstar Energy Racing) tonight.
Simon Cudby photo
19 and Counting
When the gate drops at Anaheim 1, GEICO Honda’s Kevin Windham will embark on his 19th professional season. The ageless one, who has over 200 career starts, is no longer the title contender of yesteryear, but his passion for racing has yet to waver. “I hear so many stories and most people can’t imagine being a professional motorcycle racer. Me, I can’t imagine being anything but a racer,” Windham said in a recent statement. As Windham’s career begins to wind down, this may be one of the last times we see one of the most popular riders in history line up for a season opener. Soak it in, folks.
Breaking Rank
Depth certainly won't be a concern in the 450SX class, as ten former race winners will line the gate (Ryan Dugney, Ryan Villopoto, James Stewart, Chad Reed, Kevin Windham, Trey Canard, Josh Grant, Josh Hill, Davi Millsaps and Andrew Short). But therein lies the problem for many. With the likes of Villopoto, Dungey, Stewart, Reed, Canard and newcomer Justin Barcia expected to hold down the top spots, many stars are looking to find their spot in the food chain. Will any of the aforementioned race winners, or current stars Justin Brayton, Jake Weimer, Mike Alessi and the like find a way to crack the code to a podium position at the opener?
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Dungey might not win a ton of races but he'll come out with the championship. It'll be another year of the Ryan's. Everyone else is too old or lacks the maturity and consistancy of the R's
If you've seen Barcia lately (MXA video or press conf), you'll notice how big his neck has become. I can't help but wonder if these guys are juicing up. I don't know if I want to see what happens when you give a kid like Barcia thats already aggressive, HGH or performance enhancers. Would take Bam Bam to a whole new level.
I'm not a huge Stewart fan but I have a feeling he's gonna take A1.
I think this is the only article to mention ALESSI's name in the mix. Sure, the holeshot artist strikes quickly, but he is typically passed quickly. Maybe this will change, but I doubt it. He was a dominant amatuer, and very fast in outdoors, but still looking for a SX win. Brutal sport.....so much talent.
I think this is the only article to mention ALESSI's name in the mix. Sure, the holeshot artist strikes quickly, but he is typically passed quickly. Maybe this will change, but I doubt it. He was a dominant amatuer, and very fast in outdoors, but still looking for a SX win. Brutal sport.....so much talent.
My prediction:
Canard holeshots. Tickle, Brayton, Reed, Dungey, Villo, Stewart, Windham.
22,7,5,1, swap places while methodically moving Tickle and Brayton back
Canard fades on lap 12 or 13. 22 and 1 battle for 2nd, fast closing in on 41.
Bam Bam works up to 6th by lap 15
Reed takes lead on lap 16. 1,7,5 51 in battle for 2nd. Canard fades to 6th
51 rams 5 on lap 17, and passes 7 3 turns later when 7 slides out in corner.
51 catches 1 on lap 18.5, pushing both to the tail of 22. 1 blitzes whoops past 22
22 returns favor in next corner, while 51 rails into 2nd. around 1
1/2 lap to go, and reed has 51 and 1 on rear fender. Dungey closing fast
51 and 1 come together allowing Dungey by, Reed wins by .423 second over 5,7,1,51.
...or maybe not. lol
Groomer...You Sir, are a dumbass. His neck is bigger so you accuse him of juicing? What evidence do you have? My God, I hope you haven't procreated (that means have children since you probably don't know)
Barcia will be this years holeshot king. @Groomer you have no clue.Hch doesn't make you agressive.Testrostrone will.Now they have a drug to take with tes that gelps cure the agression.
I BELIEVE
BAM BAM ALL DAY
22,1,5,41,51,7. just a mindless prediction. 7 is going to be fast. but he is going to struggle, give him a few to get back to race pace.. I'm probably wrong but tonight we will see. I'll be pulling for 22.
@groomer-Please give it up with the PED crap.. How old is Barcia? 19, he is finally growing up into a man.. His body is physically maturing dude.. He will get bigger then.. My son will be 19 id Feb. He has grown over an inch and put on 20 pounds since he graduated high school last summer, it happens.. That is the cause not PEDs..
The list in the 450 class is incredible, lets hope that they all ride to their potential this season.. Normally only 3 or 4 step up, lets hope they all do.. My prediction is either Stewie or RV, yes thats a safe call.. Stewie will get his wins this year, but RV for the title..
Just a couple more things to watch for;
With the field so deep, watch for who will be the first moto star to be sitting in the stands when the gate drops for the Anaheim main event.
Watch to see which riders will let it all hang out at Angel stadium and which riders take the more conservative approach and if it correlates to the above.
Watch for the inevitable surprise ride at A1, some one always seems to come from obscurity to the spotlight, only to return for the rest of the season.
With the race available live on TV, watch the conversation light up, as fans voice their varied opinions of what transpires at the race.
Watch and hope for the big numbers in the TV ratings. Major corporations need to see that Supercross is a viable avenue for them to go down when deciding where to spend those advertising dollars...
racepaintusa: Sounds like somebody is as excited as me 'bout this thing!!!!
Bd200: Stewart a "safe bet". Stewart and safe just don't sound right in the same sentence. I'll bet you would want to rethink that one :)
Bill C: You've been quiet for a couple days......
I've NEVER seen Chad Reed so focused and ready for a series.
Never been a Stewart fan but, I must say, he seems to be pissed at the world and if he can harness that and direct it in the right way, he may surprise some of his critics like me. I don't think he will but it sure would make it interesting if this year he would race hard, take what the day gives him and not crash out trying to always be the fastest. Can you imagine how exciting this will be if 4 or 5 of the "big 6" make it to Vegas?
Go Dunge!!!!
Just to qualifi to the night show will be something.To make it in the main will be hugh.I bet there will be a couple top rider that don't make the main maybe even just the night show.There are a lot of fast dudes there.
If barcia carries his bike to the line we'll know who is right @ the "juice"
dang cant wait till tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prediction: Try it. It's very difficult. Not my choice but think it might have a chance.
Villo
Reed
Stewart
Dungey
Barcia
Canard
Barcia Holeshot and runs away with it! Villopoto starts mid pack works his way to 2nd! Dungey gets a Solid 3rd! Davi Millsaps will sneak into 4th! Reed will round out the top 5! Stewart will finish around 10th due to a crash! Canard wont be fast hes not a factor! Josh Hill will be fast and Jake Weimer!
Barcia is not juicing, his father and uncles look like they were mean hell raisers.
K-Dub will win a lot of races this year. They will all be LCQ's I'm sorry to say. It'll still be cool to see him take the checkers and make the main this year. I'm a huge fan. I would like nothing more than to see him win a main but, I'm also a realist.
I'm a Barcia fan and thought the juice joke was just as funny when @dino did it with RV. It's getting that time where fans start acting like they have a personal stake in it all. Just chill and realize for us this is nothing more than entertainment.
Stewart
Villopoto
Reed
Barcia
Dungey
Canard
Sorry guys but they all juice, I know for a fact. And I don't know who's going to win, but I believe the Ryan's will be the show this year
they wouldnt be taking PED's that make you bulk up or retain water. i can certainly say like i have before they take HGH and other PED that help with endurance and leaning out
look up all the guys getting caught in MMA with PED in blood, way more than you would realize since its not headline news. football players do it to the reason they dont get caught is they know how to beat the system its all about timing they do it in the off season and make sure its out of their system before testing. i dont think they test in SX or MX
Misoheye I really think it will be a hard time for KDub to even win one heat race this year. The class is stack!!!
For the first time in years I really have a hard time thinking who will win. I feel RV & JS will once again have the speed over everyone else but with so many fast guys they will not be able to come from way back and win like the last few years. That's What makes it so hard to pick a winner. Starts are going to be crucial this year to get a win. I hope RV wins but something tells me JS will pull off A1. I think Reed will be off the pace a bit the first few weeks. Sometg
Sorry damn Ipad
Something tells me RD Will be a little bit more aggressive this year and I hope I'm right and can't wait to see it!!
TC I think will be cautious for a few rounds at least.
Barcia Will be getting great starts all year and will always be a threat. There is a big difference from the MEC track to a real SX track so he may not look as good as he did at the MEC
Above all I just hope everyone can stay safe all year I know that's a lot to ask for though. But if they can we are in for a great ride guys!!!
WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Klem says....
RIDE HARD, RIDE SMART and HAVE FUN!!!!!
Knowing what I know....for as long as I have known it....this IS INDEED IT.
Barca knows that...and what better time to shine...then when they (Villy, Bubba, RD, REEDY, and ALL the Other Pros) are lined up w/ ya at the gate!
I do believe...his maturity and patience will prevail in his pursuit of the title...so let me say right now...BARCIA will WIN the SX Title...and probably the MXNat.
BIG statement...yup. But again...knowing what I know...for as long as I have known it.
So...we can all sit back tonight and catch it LIVE on Speed...first the AX then the SX. Ahhhh...LIFE can be good.
Klem says 450 will go down like this:
Bubba
Barcia
Villy
RD
Reedy
There's your TOP 5
Wishing much luck to all the riders...but rooting for BARCIA, CANARD...NICOLETTI!
It's gonna be a HUGE season...and may GOD watch over ALL'EM!
JUSTIN....KLEM says...."IF U GONNA BE A BEAR...BE A GRIZZLY!"
RIDE HARD, RIDE SMART, and HAVE FUN...always remember that.
Thanks DC for doing what ya do....COLD up here in these CATSKILL MTNS of NY.
Gonna be HOT in A-1 though. >:< ]
Everyone seems to have their own insight as to what they believe will happen but in truth, you never know what will happen. Just let the best man win! And to the haters that think Stewart is washed up, you in for a surprise. The man still has the speed and kills it! Still can do things the others can't. Sorry but it's true! He even said he is more comfortable on the Suzuki! But like he said we will see how things go. Good luck to everyone out there on the track!
@billc...As long as K-Dub wins his one heat race at Atlanta so I can see it live. You're right about the tracks. I think a real SX track is even better for Barcia. Of all the vid's floating around, Barcia looks like his bike is dialed. Did you see him across those whoops in the MXA vid? Made them look 3" tall! He's going up against a lot of racing wisdom this year and it's going to be tough.
You heard it first here: Barcia wins tonight, sets all the vets on their heels, then goes on to reel off several more and takes the title. JS doesn't finish the season, the R's scrap for 2nd and 3rd. These are the facts, and they are indisputable :)
To recall a line from one of the greatest Movies of all time, tonight, some rider in Anaheim is... "gonna eat lightning and crap thunder!", while 19 other riders -and a host of world wide fans are shown how it's done.
Is it time for THE MAIN yet?
Cool teaser video. http://vurbmoto.com/videos/gopro-press-day-anaheim-1/12130/
@ Tracks
So you think Barcia who got waxed by RV in the first moto at MEC and beat fair and square by Tomac in moto 3 is gonna run away with it? Interesting.....but no-one is gonna run away with it this year.....stay tuned.
kdub wins
is this the deepest field ever or what? hope to see everybody stay safe.yeah right. wfo tme!!!
RV,
No Question!!!!!
... from Mick... to Rocky... Anybody? [Sports Film History.]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0CXUv-xxtY
and something else a Rider has to have more of tonight than anyone else...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0GdQyIm7DU
Mirror,Mirror on the wall who is the fastest of them all???????????????
As the suspense mounts, we that are not at the race will have to wait a few mnts ulike the days of yesteryear.
My Bookie says to bet on Hannah! so I got it down!
LETS RACE!!!!!!!!!!!
My hope though is to everyone that is racing be safe go fast win or crash but dont get hurt!
OH the hype!!!!
HGH makes you retain just a much water as testosterone, however its not estrogen or aromatase related.
Even HGH will carry 8-10lbs of water doing 2iu a day.
What the heck happened to Wilson? I thought he was going to be on a Pro Circuit 450.
Don't see nearly as many people on here claiming that "this is the year" for JS7 as the last couple of years.
Maybe reality is starting to dawn on them. He will always be fast, he will always get wins. He will not win the title.
7 is done ! Stamp it !
klemkiddlehopper
Your a douch'e bag!!!!! Marty Smith's gonna take it !
You been watching to many Amish Maffia shows !
J-LAW is in the house !
Any truth to the J Law comment?
Hey is watching at the track as we speak ! I'll go talk to him and see what his plans are !
@bd200 your kid is juicing dude, deal with it! Just kiddin'.
Track is very narrow and the jumps are no so big ! some look more like bumps than jumps . Bring out the trampoline girls !
Barcia and Stewart will send it
Villopoto will take it if its there
Dungey and Reed will think long term
JimM
Pala374
KDUB didnt sound to confident ...check out
http://motocross.transworld.net/1000140619/videos/a1-pressday-barcia-chisholm-hill-reed-villopoto-windham/
JimM
Pala374
The smart thing would probably be to hang back a little and see what goes down, but who is gonna do that here tonight? I just hope we don't have a crash festival .
Here is proof that the loserPoserWannabe Is either DaveyCoombs or someone else in the racerx offices:
See the Friday article titled "how to watch Ananhiem". Scroll down to the middle of the comments. You will see a poster named 'scrub -This' with no avatar.
The posters name was an exact duplicate of my screen name "WFO_UFO" at the time it was posted- but now the screen name has magically changed to "Scrub-This" - long AFTER it was originally posted. Only someone on the INSIDE could do that. Check it out yourself.
The dim witted poster says, and I quote:
(poster name) wrote:
"WFO_UFO
Man you sound alwfull stupid talking about your self !! GET A LIFE DUDE
Your a real mental scrub-this....PSYCH ward has no Supercross. Have tonewall break you out with Howlin mad Murdock , and run for the border Chalupa breath !"
This imbecile is SO stupid that he/she doesn't know that his frantic name changes are propagating backwards to all of his/her older posts. I know that I have seen him/her on here in the past- just like he/she has been bragging about.
You can change your screen names all week long- but you are still the same pathetic loser and your real easy to recognize. With a personality like yours you must get your ass kicked every other day when you are not hiding on the internet.
rickamatuzio--- if ur HGH does that at 2iu a day then u got ripped off probably fake they use HCG most of the time to fake it. HGH eats the fat right out of u i have never seen signs of water retention really 8-10 lbs something wrong
Barcia & Tomac!!!!!! Man I wish I was in Cali tonight instead of Maine!!!
@villaslowdoh - If you think everyone is juicing and don't like it, just find another sport to follow. I've seen you spout the same shyte in several different columns now, we've all had enough of it, just go away. Let us watch the men we all wish we could be do battle. There are plenty of pro sports where the top competitors juice, who really cares? We just want to see the best of the best duke it out, may the best man win!!!
6:39PM PST Saturday Night. I just want to see everybody stay healthy, ride hard and have a good time doing it. Good Luck, Gents!
My DVR is running....