10 Things to Watch For at Toronto
Friday, March 25, 2011 | 2:15 PM
Atlas Brace Technologies was founded in 2011 and is the home of the first racer designed, racer tested next generation neck brace, the Atlas Brace™. The Atlas Brace™ was uniquely designed and engineered to be only of the highest level of safety, comfort, mobility, and forward thinking ideas.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
Print
By: Jason Weigandt and Davey Coombs
10. Stewart and Reed have History in Canada: James Stewart has had mixed success in Toronto. He won here over RC back in 2005 (See This Week in Kawasaki SX History) in what many thought was a sign that the guard had changed at the top of AMA Supercross, only to see RC edge him for the title by two points. The next year he ended up going off the track at the finish line jump when he and Reed accidentally bumped each other (sound familiar?). He went off the track, only to pull back out right in front of Travis Preston. But the last time he was here -- 2009 -- he took a solid win. But Reed has also won here twice, so he knows the way to the winner's circle in Canada as well. And yes, they drive on the right side of the road up there.
10. Stewart and Reed have History in Canada: James Stewart has had mixed success in Toronto. He won here over RC back in 2005 (See This Week in Kawasaki SX History) in what many thought was a sign that the guard had changed at the top of AMA Supercross, only to see RC edge him for the title by two points. The next year he ended up going off the track at the finish line jump when he and Reed accidentally bumped each other (sound familiar?). He went off the track, only to pull back out right in front of Travis Preston. But the last time he was here -- 2009 -- he took a solid win. But Reed has also won here twice, so he knows the way to the winner's circle in Canada as well. And yes, they drive on the right side of the road up there.
9. Dean Wilson's border crossing: As you probably remember, last year Deano, everyone's favorite Scotsman-turned-Canadian-back-to-Scotsman, had a little trouble at the border. It cost him a round of the series as it took more than a week to get back into the states. That led many to guess that he would race the West Region this year to avoid another mishap, but apparently he and U.S. Customs are all good now and he's good-to-go. Hopefully.
Will Toronto once again provide magic for Barcia.
Photo: Garth Milan
8. Barcia’s Breakthrough: Justin Barcia won his first AMA Supercross Lites main event in Canada last year, so the spacious Rogers Centre has been good to the GEICO Powersports Honda rider. He's on a roll, and after a bad week for Blake Baggett, he's up 17 points. He could edge closer to the title in Toronto, which is effectively a home race for the native New Yorker.
7. All Banged Up: For sure, Stewart and Ryan Villopoto are hurting to some degree after rough nights in Jacksonville, so their health may determine the results for everyone else this weekend. This championship may have many contenders, but it’s hard to argue that RV2 and JS7 have consistently been the two fastest riders—eight combined wins in eleven races stands as proof. But this is the first time they are both bouncing back from painful weekends at the same time.6. Stewart’s Condition, Continued: Well, Villopoto was banged up last weekend, but at least he was able to ride back to the pits after missing out in the LCQ. Stewart left the building on the Asterisk backboard. If he can bounce back to win this weekend, it will be one of the most remarkable single-week turnarounds we’ve ever seen.
Stewart is all set to race in Toronto after a nasty spill in Jacksonville.
Photo: Garth Milan
5. Reed’s Speed: There is absolutely no doubt that Chad Reed has come all the way back after a rough 2010 season. Seven podiums in the last eight races proves his trademark consistency is there, and his “in it to win it” mentality has put him within seven points of Villopoto. But along with that old consistency comes the same old question: Can Chad go fast enough to get some more wins?
4. Dungey’s Speed: And yet more questions rise when Ryan Dungey’s name comes up. The defending SX Champion is still winless, and each week that streak continues, the questions about it are asked louder and louder. At Indy, it looked like he was on the verge of a breakthrough. But in Jacksonville, he had a shot at Reed and Canard and couldn’t get it done. Time could be running out, or, in a season where consistency seems to be more important than straight race wins, maybe his timing is just right.
3. Canard Confidence: With a win in Houston, Trey Canard got so pumped up that he crashed a whole bunch at the next four rounds. He stayed up in Jacksonville and won. If the rookie is able to learn from the mistakes after the first win and not make them again after the second, he could do some more damage.
The defending champion is running out of time.
Photo: Garth Milan
2. Toronto Dirt: Toronto soil used to present a tough mix of ruts. The dirt would get rained on while in storage for the year, then freeze over during the winter, and begin to thaw while laying within the heated Rogers Centre. The folks at Feld Motorsports have fixed the problem by storing the dirt in an area where rain can’t get to it. Since then, the soil has been soften than some west coast stuff, but not terribly rutted.
1. Still Here: There’s one piece of news that remains the same, and it’s the best news of all. Despite bumps, bruises and big crashes, the five fastest riders in the game (Villopoto, Reed, Dungey, Stewart, Canard) are still making the races and putting on a show. If you have any chance to make it to one of these races in person, do it!
Did you like this article?
Check out TEAM HONDA AT DAWN
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Forty years ago, Team Honda arrived on the American motocross circuit with a brand new motorcycle: the game-changing Elsinore CR250. Page 170.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP
@rjshananagins: BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
I am going to the Seattle round in a few weeks. Can't wait.
I think Jairtime hasn't a clue about motocross. Or he is living in the backwoods of Alabama and is racist.
The Dunge: So from what I understand, Emig is the only other rider to win the championship one year and fail to win a race the next? Emig was pretty much on the decline of his SX career in 97' and won mainly because MC jumped on that roach-ass RM250. But Dungey winning the title his rookie year and not being able to put a win up this year would be quite interesting....answers all the questions from last year for sure.
JS7: James could be the spoiler here...Picture this...Las Vegas...Reed and RV are really close in points and now its Stewies turn to run Reed off the track..JS7 has heart man....love him or hate him, he has the most talent out there on any given night and other riders follow him around in practice to see how to really ride the track... I hope he can pull it together....JS7 and RV 1 and 2 the rest of the series would be ok by me as RV would sqeak out the the title in the end....
Also - Stewart was placed on the back board purely for safety measeures and I applaud Asterik for treating it as such. Whenever a rider appears to injure their back or neck, that back board is their best friend until any serious injury can be ruled out...Whether you like a rider or not, back injuries are no joke ...thumps up Asterik Medical
Walking out the door, On my way!!
I think each season is unique in the way it comes about and who holds an edge over the other riders. At the top level, there really isn't much separating the top 5 riders and have really enjoyed the competitive Supercross class this year. Just because Dungey hasn't won a race yet, I wouldn't count him out. To follow up on Rick Melon's thought process. What questions will it answer if Dungey does win a race or two this year?
We are lucky to be able to watch the top level talent this year both indoors and hopefully outdoors this summer!
11th thing to watch for in Toronto: As crunch time nears, the desparate and overly aggressive will come out to play. Prediction? Yard sales a 'plenty!
12th thing to watch for in Toronto: Every jokester and their brother showing up to Wilsons pit with a border patrol hat on ....or ICE, or whatever they call themselves now....
GAME ON, EH!!
the most asked question last year was " Would Dungey be winning these races and eventually the title if Reed, Stewart and RV were not injured?".. Sure it is what it is and he was the champ rightfully so. But when it comes to who the "best" guys are, the answer to that question as we are seeing this year up until now is NO. The debate people are in is yes he is the champ, he is the champ, but is he really the best guy on the track?...Championship aside, people want their guy to win raceses..... Heck I won a series racing 80's because Damon Huffman's van broke down and some other guys didnt show a few times..I never won a race.....but was I faster and better than those guys?? Not even close.
Whatever crap people talk about Dungey, I still think about the last 2 MXdN's where he kicked the Euro's butts, both overseas and here in the U.S. Takes skill and speed to do that.
including the word "eh" whenever mentioning canada never get's old so keep it coming ya all....
I for one am not saying the Dunge "lacks" any speed or skills at all, the kid is a great rider or he wouldnt be where he is. But for me, I still think a few guys have a leg up on him and he has some things to work on to be the dominate guy he was last year and what many said he'd be this year....dominate by winning multiple races...not all of them...but being on top.....so far it hasnt happend and he has had his chances...thats all im saying...not discrediting his skill in any way.
What a great year for racing! Dungy is a good kid, I'd like to see him win one to keep it interesting.
I don't think RD will win a single race, but if does, please don't interview him, we've already heard the same speech for a year and a half
There is really only one thing to watch and that's when Stewart crashes again!
One thing is for sure though, if he doen't crash, he'll win.
I would like to see JS7 get the victory...more so he can shake these cobwebs off the past few weeks and then let the chips fall where they may....RV won 3 in a row then straight to not qualifying, so he needs finish top 3 as well.....
The thing that bothers me about REED is that SO called epstein barr lie...he pulled on kawi ...either you have it or you don't, reedy faked the whole thing...this guy is a knuckle head ,one thing i hate is a guy who lies...GET A FREAKIN ROPE he,he,he......
Dungey better have SAVED his winnings from last year and WIN sx title because if R.V'S healthy adidos to the outdoor title ...Stewart needs to let the 20 riders go first then stewart can reel them like there standing still one by one he he he he .....
Dean was only stuck for a week, and only missed one race because of being stuck in canada last year? Seemed like it was a lot longer than that. Im no Watson though, I have been wrong before.
To Rick Melon: Thanks for clarifying your statement about Ryan Dungey. To suggest that he isn't even close is ridiculous. Although he hasn't won yet, he has had the fastest qualifying time on a number of occasions, and is always one of the fastest riders on the track. I still believe that a win will come.
RD is pissing me off this year, but lets not forget he did beat RV the current points leader straight up many times last year. So I dont buy this *championship BS. I just don't think he is riding as well this year. He really looks slower.
I think RV is just faster this year. He has got Aldon in his corner after all.. unlike Dungey ha..
Hey Unforgiven, The EBV can and does go into submission. My wife suffers from it and it is a very serious condition that can be treated with money and resources I wish I had, He can afford the proper treatment and can live a normal life as long as he watches what he does.. Pastrana also suffers with EBV.
I think Dungey should hire Hannah as his personal shrink for about a month. Suzuki still has some contact with the Hurricane. He could take all that talent, get in his head and help him get to the next level. Some take no prisoner, there not your friends speeches. Hell if you buy an airplane maybe he'd even give you a discount rate on the sessions. Heck Stewarts got the O'Show why not Dungey and the Hurricane. Plus he knows all of Decosters tricks. Couldn't hurt to ask.
Remember that it is only dungeys second year on a 450. Look at villopoto's second year, he was struggling during the first part of sx, and he only finished 6th in his first season. Look at r/c's first and second seasons in sx (out of top ten, and 5th). So why do people just expect dungey to smoke everybody? I think he is doing GREAT, for where he is at.
trick, dude, RV's second year was last year when he crashed and got hurt, in his first year RV was the first person ever to beat Stewart without Stewart crashing (see las vegas). Yer granted this is only Dungeys second year, and he is doin great, but this is Canards first year and hes won two races already. Dungey is a great rider, he really is, but I don't believe hes got that killer instinct like RV, JS an CR. I just can't see him bein the dominate rider others seem to think he'll become.
"trick, dude, RV's second year was last year when he crashed and got hurt, in his first year RV was the first person ever to beat Stewart without Stewart crashing (see las vegas). Yer granted this is only Dungeys second year, and he is doin great, but this is Canards first year and hes won two races already. Dungey is a great rider, he really is, but I don't believe hes got that killer instinct like RV, JS an CR. I just can't see him bein the dominate rider others seem to think he'll become. "
I don't know about that looper, dungey has proven to be a slow learner so far, since turning pro. I never said that he will be a dominant rider, I only said that I think he will get better by next year.
So, if Villopoto was SO fast in 2009, that he beat stewart, then why did he finish 6th o/a?
In Villopoto's second sx season he had gotten a 5, 2, 7, 1, 4, 1, 1, 19, 1, 1, 4 after 11 rounds.
In Dungey's second sx season he has gotten a 2, 5, 3, 3, 20, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 3 after 11 rounds.
If you add it all up, they come out almost even. They each had a night of really bad luck, with villopoto's silencer getting packed with dirt, and dungey losing a chain with Mike Gosselar as his mechanic.
The rest of it looks comparable, for a second season performance, except that dungey is doing it against reed, stewart, and canard. Villopoto was doing it against only dungey in 2010.
As far as villopoto beating stewart in 2 of the last 3 rounds of 2009, everyone knows that stewart was riding smart for once, and protecting his points lead. Remember reedy trying to run him off the track in thunder alley !? Stewart was not worried about villopoto, at that point in time, only reed.
And lets not forget, that ryan dungey led a game, and healthy james stewart, for 17 laps in his first ever 450 sx race, and almost beat him at the end.
So for anyone who thinks that dungey is not proving his worth, I am asking that you reconsider your stance, based on these facts.
I also think trey canard is a great rider, and getting better too. By far the two most impressive riders out there, considering that they were both racing in the 'B' amateurs less than five years ago !