by Aaron Hansel
250 Words: Phoenix
Monday, January 17, 2011 | 8:00 AM
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Between the live coverage on Speed, Racer X Online’s race report, and the deluge of tweets hurled into cyberspace by the dynamic duo of Matthes and Weege, there’s a good chance that you already know that Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen won the Lites race. You also probably know that his teammate, Broc Tickle, took second, while Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Ryan Morais took the final podium position.
What you probably don’t know is where Kyle Cunningham finished. The Star Racing rider had one of those nights where his finish doesn’t reflect how fast he was going out there. In his heat race, Tyla Rattray had a nice lead on him until Cunningham ran him down and dogged him for a few laps. On the final lap, Cunningham blitzed the whoops and pulled even with Rattray in the ensuing corner. A triple jump followed, but Cunningham rolled it, all but handing the race to Rattray. A crash had brought out the yellow flags on that particular jump on the previous lap, and it’s possible that Cunningham thought the caution was still in affect.
Later, in the Lites main event, Cunningham was involved in one of the best battles of the night, fighting tooth and nail over third place with Morais and Ken Roczen. The battle was so tight that the three of them could have reached out and grabbed each other’s fenders on some of the jumps. At one point, Roczen and Cunningham even swapped positions.
Then, Cunningham’s run at the podium came to an abrupt end when Roczen crashed right in front of him in the sand section. Cunningham had nowhere to go and collided with Roczen. Although he was able to remount and finish the race, Cunningham wasn’t able to get back to the front, and he finished the race in tenth.
It was an unfortunate end to an otherwise brilliant ride for Cunningham, but the good news is that he still has seven rounds to chase wins and podium finishes. Keep an eye on Cunningham next week; if he doesn’t encounter any more bad luck, he just might turn your head.
What you probably don’t know is where Kyle Cunningham finished. The Star Racing rider had one of those nights where his finish doesn’t reflect how fast he was going out there. In his heat race, Tyla Rattray had a nice lead on him until Cunningham ran him down and dogged him for a few laps. On the final lap, Cunningham blitzed the whoops and pulled even with Rattray in the ensuing corner. A triple jump followed, but Cunningham rolled it, all but handing the race to Rattray. A crash had brought out the yellow flags on that particular jump on the previous lap, and it’s possible that Cunningham thought the caution was still in affect.
Later, in the Lites main event, Cunningham was involved in one of the best battles of the night, fighting tooth and nail over third place with Morais and Ken Roczen. The battle was so tight that the three of them could have reached out and grabbed each other’s fenders on some of the jumps. At one point, Roczen and Cunningham even swapped positions.
Then, Cunningham’s run at the podium came to an abrupt end when Roczen crashed right in front of him in the sand section. Cunningham had nowhere to go and collided with Roczen. Although he was able to remount and finish the race, Cunningham wasn’t able to get back to the front, and he finished the race in tenth.
It was an unfortunate end to an otherwise brilliant ride for Cunningham, but the good news is that he still has seven rounds to chase wins and podium finishes. Keep an eye on Cunningham next week; if he doesn’t encounter any more bad luck, he just might turn your head.
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cunningham will win the next round.. kenny boy 2nd, hansen 3rd... actually maybe not in that order..
I wouldn't be surprised if KTM told Roczen this year's SX experiment is over. More important to stay healthy for his upcoming GP season.
^^^ exactly what I was thinking.
Roczen won our hearts last year but nobody wants to see that kind of talent end from injury or hurt someone else. He's definitley got early Bubbaitis. DeCoster needs to cure it by showing him the throttle goes in 2 directions, and that lever on the right handlebar isnt a decoration. Have patience kid, we know ya got the speed, but we also know you need the tracktime and dont need to get hurt. We wanna see ya grow, but not on the medical cart. Personally I was hot when a lapper (Clarke?) ended Dubs night, man I was pissed. Even in 10th, he's poetry in motion.
It's good to see that someone if finally writing about the other riders in the Race !
It's clear that Roczen is the future of KTM in U.S. so, when do you stop SX development. It's true that euros are constantly getting hurt dabbling in SX but, do you just end it? Would you stop a U.S. rider from the same? Tomac, T-Bake, C. Craig? It's not like KTM doesn't have J. Herlings waiting back in europe to take over the MX2 mantle.
Wow. Roczen came within a microsecond of getting absolutely hammered when he blitz'ed that triple! He may be the fastest guy out there, but ya gotta have some patience. He got lucky!
Roczen is going to hurt someone or himself. He needs to stop racing SX right away and have his balls drop before he tried it again.
On one hand I feel bad for Roczen, I guess because I genuinely like him, but on the other hand I feel a sense of pride knowing that a European wonder-kid can't just come over and start racing supercross very easily. This sport is TOUGH .. with a capital T
Man!...Roczen had one of the roughest nights, which made good television. You slow-mo his crash in the Main and his head bounces a foot high after hitting the ground. He is only 17 so I assume he needs his guardians to sign off on racing. Really just seems like a young kid with a lot of expectations and the pressure associated with that, and he tries too hard.
Relax on the kid. He's like the fast guys b4 him. Bubba and Carmichael were the same way when the were young, fast and outta control. Wrecking the way he is, it's the thing that's going to humble him.
Roczen was lucky after he cased it! If he hadn't grabbed a handfull of whiskey throttle, I think Eli Tomac might have T-boned him. I love watching K-roc though! He will settle down soon and show us what he can do. I hope he's OK though, he really banged the back of his right heel hard on the floor.
Sucks that Cunningham had to be a part of Kid-Rocs learning curve!!! The Pro Circuit boys looked good, Styla's learning fast and I look for him to be back on the box again soon. Davalos has some speed but can't seem to get it together. Give Tomac a few more weeks and he'll be in there too! It's shaping up to be a good series!
Dude ride like you do on the SX practice tracks. I'd be suprised if RD / KTM let this go on much further. IDK what the answer is but one thig is for sure, if one of his crashes dont end his seson laying on the track will. JimM CarlsbadCa
On the subject of 250s, how about some love for Jimmy Decotis? A call from Geico Honda, a cross country flight, and a few days later, seventh in the main. Nice work!
wish someone would have balled-up and signed Max Anstie to a West SX deal this year... Would have been great to have him in the mix!
Cunningham was on the move! He had it! He will be on the podium multiple times this year for sure. Roczen is pushing too hard. He needs to go home and worry about the GP's
Lay off roczen!! he is no different than anyone else that started that young. yes, he needs to get things straightened out but he is fast and a blast to watch. At MXoNs he put on a great show and beat most of the 450 guys as well as canard. He will get it together.
I couldnt agree with some of you more. Roczen kills it for sure, but his patience and maturity level aren't quite there yet. I remember reading somewhere that if Roczen weren't in the hunt for the championship during the break, he wouldnt come back. Maybe they'll pull him out early now that the first 2 races have been less then stellar
roczen is fun to watch. be careful kid.
CORRECTION: Cunningham did not collide with Roczen. Roczen clipped his foot peg on a block when he cut the corner into the sand section too sharp. The block threw his rear end out and tossed him into the sand on his back. Cunningham immediately tried to avoid Roczen throwing the bike left, jumping the rut, and the bike bucked him off into a block. ROCZEN AND CUNNINGHAM NEVER TOUCHED.
I thought the racing was great in Phoenix. But, I am a little shocked how Ralph Shaheen (who probably does not even know how to ride) talks about Ken Roczen the entire night the past 2 races. Who gives a sh@# about this kid, yes he is fast but he crashes and his results suck. Why not focus on guys like Cole Seely who came from 15th place to 4th. I am putting my money on Seely this weekend and maybe Roczen should go practice Supercross another year. Also, someone needs to tell him what a dork he looks like running his chest protector under his jersey :)
AMA bumped the age up to 18 for a reason! Roczen at age 16 is just still immature to run at that level of SX!!!
What really stands out the most for me here, is that nobody will say it but they know Roczen will win a Race or two soon. But rather than acknowledge that fact and say hey this kid has had some bad luck and a steep learning curve, they would be happier to say negative things because they are mostly scared of being beaten by this 16 yr old German kid and state he is dangerous etc! But if anyone paid any attention to the kid in practice etc they would of seen that he could turn fast laps well in control. He is a born Racer and thats it, he could get hurt in a GP by another rider. So why quit Racing Supercross now the pressure of winning the championship is well gone, so lets all enjoy this kid Racing stateside while we have him and watch him improve amongst the best supercross riders in the WORLD!
KTM already told Cairoli he can't run any SX's, why not do the same for Roczen?
I've seen Bubba take out plenty of people. ive seen him ride over his head plenty. RC couldnt keep it right side up either his first year on the big bikes, Should they have called it quits. Wasnt McGrath 16 when he won a championship for Peak/Pro-circuit. I think some people are intimidated by this kid. SX is a young mans sport by the way. Roczen will do very well
Look, I see that Roczen seems to be the topic of choice. Yes, I agree he is a great rider but a couple of you are right when saying that he may be a little too young and not have enough experience in Supercross. I still believe that for this week alone, the rider to talk about is Jimmy Decotis for Geico Honda. He hadn't ridden supercross much, if at all, prior to Phoenix and received a call just 1 week before the race to replace the unfortunate injured Will Hahn. Jimmy D deserves a ride and if given the opportunity will NOT dissapoint.