by Davey Coombs
10 Things To Watch For At Oakland
Friday, January 28, 2011 | 3:30 PM
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This weekend marks another new stop on the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross tour, though unlike last weekend, this race is returning to a stadium where races used to be held. The last time they raced on the home turf of the Oakland Raiders was 1984. The winner? Ron Lechien on a factory Honda! This race airs on noon (ET) Sunday on CBS, with the Lites race airing on SPEED TV at 6 p.m. (ET), also on Sunday afternoon. Here are 10 things to watch for.
1.) COLE SEELY. We're leading off with a Lites rider because we didn't see much of Cole Seely last weekend, at least not on TV—which was strange since he won the race! The smooth, methodical kid on the Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda rode a near-perfect race while guys like Josh Hansen and Ken Roczen were bouncing all over the place, and that attracted the TV cameras more than the Jeff Stanton-like performance of the actual winner. Look for Seely, no longer anonymous in the talented field, to get much more airtime this weekend.
2.) ROCZEN THE RAIDER. German import Ken Roczen probably got more TV time than Seely, even though he only finished sixth. That's most likely because the kid looks like something incredible could happen at any moment, just like Justin Barcia in the East Region, or even a young James Stewart. With three races under his belt, his foot doing better, and this race being a new building for everyone, this might just be the one where Roczen finally makes the box.
Rattray was down but not out, the same could not be said for Craig.
Photo: Simon Cudby
3.) LITES OUT. Last weekend was a brutal Lites race for a few riders, including Christian Craig and Tyla Rattray and Travis Baker, all of whom went down together in their heat race. Craig is now out with a broken leg and neither Rattray nor Baker looked completely healthy afterward. But Tyla has a way of doing good things when least expected, and Baker probably saw his TLD teammate win and is thinking, Hey, I can do that!
4.) LI’L HAMMER. We gotta give Josh Hansen credit: he rode his heart out once he stalled trying to pass Seely for the lead. He also didn't make a lot of friends out there with a few guys who probably didn't appreciate his aggressive riding, but that's what you have to do when you're scrambling to win a title after falling behind. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider definitely looks more inspired than he ever has.
5.) MISFORTUNATES. Three guys must be thinking they blew it on Saturday night: Ryan Morais, Martin Davalos, and Kyle Cunningham. The three of them all had a shot to get a long-overdue first win, only to make mistakes in the main and miss the chance to finally get in the winner's circle. If you've been watching the races for a few years, you know all three are great riders and really nice guys. And one just might finish first this weekend.
After countless podiums Morais has to be thinking, when?
Photo: Simon Cudby
6.) RV IS FOR VICTORY. Okay, Ryan Villopoto is a badass. His sharp, smart ride from right outside the top ten off the start to the win was maybe his most impressive yet, though he did get some help when James Stewart slid out while leading. Villopoto just looks solid and confident, and he's still the points leader after three rounds—and he has yet to finish worse than second. The fact that he's in the driver's seat at this point is a big surprise, and the longer he stays there, the harder it's going to be for anyone to dislodge him.
7.) JBS IS FOR VENGEANCE. You can't fault James Stewart for being blunt after the race. He threw it away and he knew it, so why hide it? The San Manuel Red Bull Yamaha rider seemed like he was on his way to his thirty-ninth career main-event win, and then he lost control in an easy corner and lost the lead. He's not happy, and he's not going to settle for anything but a win this time if he's in the hunt. Count on some aggressive riding from #7.
8.) HEAVY LAY THE CROWN. Or helmet, in this case, of the defending champion. Ryan Dungey got back up on the box after his strange night in Phoenix, but he still didn't have enough to hold back Stewart—twice, actually. The Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider needs a win if he wants to keep RV close and Stewart closer. He and his team made some obviously beneficial adjustments, but he needs more if he wants to beat those other two.
The veteran needs to make it happen now, or Windham could be in for a long winter.
Photo: Simon Cudby
9.) HERE COMES CANARD. Trey Canard doesn't want to be known as “Mr. LCQ,” but if he doesn't keep it on two wheels in his heat races, that's what he's destined to become. For the second time in three races, #41 had to go through the last-chance qualifier, then he ran a great main event to almost score third. With every race he's getting better (and he's ridden two more races than everyone else at this point). Don't expect that trend to change.
10.) RED RIDERS? Finally, we thought by now we would see Chad Reed up there in the mix on his TwoTwo Motorsports Bel-Ray Honda. We also thought Kevin Windham would be on the box by now as well. Both are riding well, but neither has put it all together for twenty laps to get inside that top three. Now is the time for both to make something happen, or they are in for a long series.
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Reedy needs a good start if he wants to run with the big boys
Hizno to the frizno, He's from Fresno!!!
Redy is going to need alot more than a good start.
I think the main story to be watching for, is the inevitable beat down of Vince Friese at Oakland. Tick, tock, tick, tock...
Can't wait to see Hanson get his payback. Apparently he had time in his recovery from stalling to slow-roll guys in turns, run it in unnecessarily, and run guys off the track that were really trying to stay out of his way. You'd think Hanson's primary concern would be to stay clear of other riders while trying to catch back up, but no, not Mr. Entitlement. I used to like him, but now even an XXL helmet is a tight fit.
I dont like how people compare Barcia to Roczen. Look at Barcias past, just because he revs his bike because he is upside down doesn't mean he is out of control and crashing, he is so young and has managed to stay very healthy in his motocross and sx series, very rarely goes down hard and isnt a recking ball. So far his record of injuries is very good. Im not sure, but I dont think he has missed more than maybe 2 consecutive races in 2 years indoors and out?
Windham's always been a slow starter. He'll be up at the front by year's end, as always. If he wouldn't take so long to get rolling, he'd probably have at least one title by now. Chad... not sure. Could be the adjustment to the new bike. Stewart's going to win Oakland and I'll take Canard for Anaheim after that, RV for the title this year.
Stewart and RV2 have easily passed everyone else, Canard is only one who can be interpreted as a threat. If 7 & 2 stay healthy and don't get hurt racing on the edge like they are doing, they will go 1 - 2 for the year. I honestly look for one of them to get hurt. Like Windahm said, theres nowhere else to get faster at that pace, only consistent, and they both want it so bad and are riding so posessed, I hope I'm wrong, but I see a cast on one of them before the year is up.
There is one guy maybe forgotten, and I know he's not up to speed yet, but I just think Austin Stroupe has always had real speed. Look for him to bust out somewhere. Surely we haven't forgotten..... He's a throttle monster with skills too. p.s. I'm not his brother-in-law!!
Stewart is more in control than in the past,dungey is pulling a horse cart,not up to the pace of the BIG boys, he eh he ,RV,STEWART on a roll as expected ....dungey not defending, he's pre-tending HA,HA,HA.....Stewart 20011 champ if he stays up?
ride4ever I agree, Stroupe has speed and talent but never has really broke out in the pros like he left the amateurs. I could see him on the box this year but the injuries and now less than top factory bike / team are hurting him. Him and Canard were the shit their last years in amateur. He needs a box to get his confidence back up.
Not a big Josh Hansen fan but I must have seen a different race than 'Whatever' saw that night.
Give Hansen (his due) credit instead of bagging on the guy. Hansen finally wants it more than ever before and (like RV2) believes he should now win each and every race! Props to #100 for conquering the mental aspect of MX/SX that some really talented riders never manage to do.
Go back and watch the Lites main again (hope you DVR'd it) and I swear you can see Jake Canada look over his shoulder several times before Hansen catches him.
Then, just when it could have been a really clean race between them, Canada 'chops' Hansen hard before the S/F line in a 180° corner, then swings w-a-y w-i-d-e exiting the right-hander going into the Mechanics Pit board area knowing Hansen is outside him and will have to check-up or crash.
Come on, Bro; was it really a surprise to anyone (especially Jake Canada) when Hansen used him for traction in the next corner? JC had to know what kind of 'pay-back' he was in for at some point in that race.
Jake Canada needs to focus on moving forward on the track; not looking at who is behind him and wondering how he can keep them there for 15 laps.
"Jake Canada needs to focus on moving forward on the track; not looking at who is behind him and wondering how he can keep them there for 15 laps. " Uhh, what?
I'll bet my left and right arms that Jake Canada knows Josh Hansen is faster than him and was trying to get out of the way. Hansen is fast and a top contender, no doubt. But I fully believe that Canada was trying to get out of Hansen's way at the s/f line corner, not block him up. And Hanson took the time to decide, "I am parking this b1tch in the next corner, I don't care what it takes" and it's just stupid.
If it were me [instead of JC] in that position, I am falling inside onto 100's bike when he runs it in on me. 100's entire race after stalling was the "don't you know who I am?" bullsh1t of entitlement. How about just riding as hard as possible and because you are so fast, that just naturally takes you to the front? No, this clown has time to screw with the people he's passing. Karma is a b-i-t-c-h b1tch, he'll get his, you'll see. Good luck to him, but that kind of "I'm the sheriff" B.S., please....
KG- If you actually watch the race Josh Hanson rode Canada high 2 turns before the s/f line corner and almost runs him off the track off the finish line jump. In the s/f line corner it looks like Canada mildly high sided it into a wheelie and didnt mean to run him that far out.
I think Hanses is playing hotshot now because he knows he is faster than most guys in his class. And its too bad, because I am glad he turned things around for himself.. The 450 class is great, and I cant get over people hating on other riders than their fav... Its embarressing, acting like 10 year olds. Grow up guys, and enjoy this great season.
@ 2DamnOld2Race I don't think Stewart is riding over his head at all. He is more mature and will take a 2nd rather than risk it this year.
RV always has a poor start but does better as the season goes on. So if he is doing this well now then everyone look out.
I'm surprised no mention of Reed. He has had good come from behind rides. He had a good start in LA until he hit a tough block and went down.
Not surprised to see Dungy off pace. RV should have been the 2010 Champ. I don't think Dungy will be so lucky this year.
3 races into the season with a points lead ? Let me go outside on someone that should be no problem , is drifting outside and has a wheel on me ? And then punt him into an oncoming lane ? Sames bs different day. Come on now Josh, remember how much you have a stake here.
JimM
For all the hype Poto has after just two races we have to remember that know one has ever beaten Stewart straight up. For those who don't know what that means it is a term used when a rider does not crash, or get a horrible start and have to make up time on the guy the whole race but runs out of time to stick a pass. We have the term because we already have a term for when a rider beats another in any means because anything goes once the gate is dropped, and that term is a 'race'. It is crazy that Stewart continues to crash or win, but that is a fact that RC and Reed had to live with over and over again. Just because it's still happening we can't just decide to change the term for Villopoto.
Motocross fans can be as bad as UFC fans at times. People think what happened last battle is the standard. Villopoto is winning= Villopoto winning championship. I bet there are a fair number of people who think Dungey will stomp Villopoto and Bubba outdoors because for gods sack he won the championship right?
@racealot- are you really gonna pull the straight up card? Actually Stewart has been beat straight up. Vegas 2009, Stewart was in first on the first lap and does not crash yet Villopoto won. The whole straight up thing is stupid. Just because James had to push it too hard to keep up with RC some races and crashed trying to do it should not mean that RC didnt beat him straight up.
Besides RV ran down Stewart from outside the top 10, I highly doubt it would have mattered if he crashed or not.
I don't get why anyone would expect kw, reed, short, or any of those top ten guys to be doing any better than they are. In years past, sure kw would be on the box here and there, reed would be in second or third, and shorty would get a top five, but this year is stacked compared to previous years. Have any of these guys ever been faster than villopoto or bubba or dungey? Maybe towards the end of the year when the fast guys have been taken out by injury...
My two cents on the Hansen incident: I'm with KG. Hansen's in full panic mode, having stalled and fallen to last place. He comes up behind Canada, who probably can crack the top ten on his BEST day, makes the pass, and is ridden off the track in the next corner. Flashback to '09, to the infamous Reed/Chisholm incident. Reed gets blocked while trying to win a championship and thinks to himself, "Who the hell is Josh Chisholm?" I can easily see Hanny having similar thoughts as he's being pushed off the track by this guy, along with thinking, 'I'm losing championship points because of this 'hero.'" The payback, in fact, went to Canada. Hansen rode a hell of a race. Notice Emig, a former champion himself, said nothing negative about the move.